Scientists Test a Compound for Burning Fat Without Muscle Loss
Scientists have tested an experimental compound that burns fat without causing muscle loss, opening the door to a different approach for weight loss without reducing food intake.
A study conducted by researchers from the University of California and published in the journal *Science Advances* on mice treated with the compound “TOFA” showed that the animals lost an average of about 18% of their body weight over four weeks, while their food consumption and physical activity levels remained unchanged.
The compound, known as “5-tetradecyloxy-2-furoic acid,” has been used in laboratory research since the 1970s.
Researchers found that most of the weight lost by the animals came from fat, while they largely maintained their muscle mass and lean tissue.
The mice did not eat less, nor did they move more, and their body temperature did not rise.
However, their energy consumption rate increased by up to 18%, suggesting that the compound prompted the body to use more energy without the need to reduce food intake or increase activity.
“TOFA” appears to work through two simultaneous pathways: reducing the production of new fat and helping cells absorb and burn fat for energy.
However, the mechanism explaining the full increase in energy consumption remains unclear.
The results were not limited to weight loss; mice receiving the compound showed decreased levels of blood sugar, insulin, and blood and liver fats, along with improved glucose response and a reduction in some markers of fatty liver disease.
Researchers also tested low doses of “TOFA” alongside “semaglutide” and “tirzepatide,” two weight-loss drugs that primarily work by reducing appetite.
Combining the treatments led to greater weight loss and improvements in some metabolic indicators compared to using each treatment alone, suggesting the potential for complementary mechanisms of action.
In another experiment, mice treated with “TOFA” maintained their weight for a longer period after stopping treatment, whereas mice treated with “semaglutide” quickly regained weight along with an increase in food intake.
However, the results remain preliminary, as the experiments were conducted on a limited number of male mice only, and the compound has not yet been tested on humans. Therefore, its efficacy, safety, and appropriate dosage remain unknown.
According to the study, researchers intend to conduct further toxicity and efficacy tests on larger animals before moving to clinical trials on humans.
