Preprint / Version 1

Piperine’s mitigation of obesity and diabetes can be explained by its up-regulation of the metabolic rate of resting muscle

Authors

  • Leonardo Nogara Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, University of Padua, Padua, Italy, 35122;
  • Nariman Naber Department of Biochemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94158;
  • Edward Pate Voiland School of Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99163
  • Marcella Canton Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, University of Padua, Padua, Italy, 35122;
  • Carlo Reggiani Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, University of Padua, Padua, Italy, 35122;

Keywords:

myosin, fluorescence, skeletal muscle, super-relaxed state, obesity

Abstract

We have developed a method for finding pharmaceuticals that would treat obesity and type 2 diabetes by increasing the metabolic rate of resting skeletal muscle. The metabolic rate is increased by shifting the motor protein myosin from a low activity state to a higher activity state. We devised an assay, screened for compounds, and found one molecule, piperine. Piperine increased the metabolic rate of resting muscle fibers. Piperine does not have the properties required to be a pharmaceutical in humans, but it would make a good lead compound for finding compounds that do. Our results provide proof of concept that these metabolic diseases can be treated by future pharmaceuticals that target myosin to increase the metabolism of excess calories.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Posted

2024-08-01