Researchers Identify Protein that Lowers Cholesterol in Obese People

A variant of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) proteins can reduce cholesterol levels in humans, according to a new study.

Previous Research has shown that FGF21 improves metabolism in obese rodents. In the recent study, researchers found that the protein can help reduce cholesterol and improve metabolism in obese humans as well.

"Our findings suggest that FGF21 has the ability to favorably affect body weight and to partially normalize abnormal lipid levels in patients with diabetes. These are substantial issues and unmet medical needs for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes," said senior author Dr. David Moller, vice president of endocrine and cardiovascular research at Eli Lilly and Company.

In the study, Dr. Moller and colleagues studied the effects a variant of FGF21 called LY2405319 (LY) on 48 obese people who had type-2 diabetes. They found that the protein lowered "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It even increased the "good" or HDl cholesterol and decreased levels of proteins that cause stiffening of arteries.

Further studies showed that LY was linked with reduced body weight and fasting insulin.

"We are encouraged by the potential of FGF21 to produce multiple metabolic effects in people with diabetes and are evaluating further concepts for FGF21-based therapies," Dr. Moller said in a news release.

The study is published in the journal Cell Metabolism.                                 

FGF21, also called fasting hormone, is released by the liver when a person is fasting. Some researchers call obesity as an FGF21-resistant state. A related research found that the protein increased lifespan in mice.

Obesity can raise risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and even some cancers. According to estimates by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a third of all people living in the U.S are obese.