Sleep And Obesity Connection Explored By New Drug From Merck

A group of scientists working in the research laboratories at the pharmaceutical company Merck have recently been conducting studies which confirmed the link yet again. In fact their study made use of a new drug which was designed to have an effect on the natural body functions which are linked to both sleep and body weight. When the scientists gave the lab mice the drug along with a high fat diet they put on less weight than those mice who were not given the drug and who followed the same diet.

The drug was developed to have an affect on T-type calcium channels which previous research has shown to be part of the sleep and weight gain function of the human body. By targeting these T-type calcium channels they were able to prevent weight gain in the lab mice. The scientists spoke about how the drug was aligning feeding patterns with the natural circadian rhythms of the mice.

This drug is still at a very experimental stage but Merck are confident that something could come out of its research which may help people who have weight problems to shed the pounds. Many more years of research will be needed before anything concrete can be presented to the Food and Drug Administration and the European health authorities for regulatory approval. The weight loss drug market is one of the most lucrative in the pharmaceutical industry.

The pharmaceutical company Merck is probably best known for its male pattern baldness remedy Propecia which they first developed as a treatment for prostate problems in men.

Source : www.ukmedix.com