Researchers from the United States found out that the phosphodiesterase enzyme inhibitor 9 (PDE9) stimulates the body’s cells to burn more fat. The article of scientists is published in Journal of Clinical Investigation.
In 2015, specialists from Jones Hopkins University showed that PDE9 contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases caused by high arterial pressure. The suppression of PDE9 increases the content of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (CGMF), regulating the conductivity of the channels in cell membranes through which ions are moved. In the same way, Viagra works: it suppresses the action of the “relative” FDE9 – FDE5.
Researchers suggested that PDE9 suppression can help fight cardiometabolic syndrome, among the symptoms of which there are high blood pressure, high blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as increased content in the body of adipose tissue. Scientists applied the Pfizer FDE9 inhibitor, which was tested as a means against Alzheimer’s disease, but unsuccessfully.
In its experiment, researchers planted mice on a high fat diet. Females, among other things, to reproduce postmenopause, the ovaries were removed. As a result, experimental in four months twice the weight has increased and diabetes developed. After that, the mice were divided into two groups – experimental and placebo. The first weeks were orally given the PDE9 inhibitor orally.
As a result of females in the experimental group, the weight fell 27 percent compared to the placebo group, by males – by 19 percent. The FDE9 inhibitor reduced cholesterol in the blood, reduced the amount of adipose tissue in the liver to the level of comparable with mice on a normal diet. In addition, such mice at 7-15 percent increased the ejection fraction – the percentage of blood, leaving the heart with each reduction – and also reduced the increase in the mass of the heart.
Scientists found out that the suppression of PDE9 activates the main regulator of fat metabolism – ppar-α. This, in turn, leads to an increase in the expression of proteins genes, which control the consumption of fat cells and its final use as fuel. Turning off PPAR-α leveled the effect of inhibition of PDE9. It turned out that women have the role of PPAR-α performs estrogen, the levels of which are reduced after menopause.