HKUMed makes breakthrough in obesity fight

Cheng Wong

A research team at the University of Hong Kong has recently discovered a mitochondria protein that can effectively help manage obesity.

The team at the HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, also known as HKUMed, has found that the mitochondria protein Chchd10 can act as a novel regulator to balance adipose tissue, opening new avenues for combating obesity and its related metabolic disorders.

Adipose tissue is vital for energy balance and metabolic health. When energy intake exceeds demand, the tissue remodels itself by increasing fat cell number and size.

An imbalance in this remodeling process can lead to obesity and metabolic disorders that stem from it. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms governing adipose tissue homeostasis is essential for developing effective interventions.

To investigate Chchd10's role, the HKUMed team tested wild-type and Chchd10-deficient mice on high-fat diets.

They found that Chchd10 levels dropped in the white adipose tissue of wild-type mice, resulting in more subcutaneous fat and energy storage during short-term high-fat diets.

In contrast, Chchd10 deficiency led to higher GSTA4 levels in visceral fat, which helps prevent cellular damage after consuming a long-term high-fat diet.

The study also indicated that downregulating Chchd10 activates the NRF2 signaling pathway, leading to increased subcutaneous fat formation and enhanced GSTA4 expression.

The findings showed that Chchd10 is a key regulatory factor for maintaining stability in adipose tissue.

Downregulation of Chchd10 enhances subcutaneous fat formation and boosts antioxidant capacity in visceral adipose tissue, reducing the risk of diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders.

Furthermore, in mice gaining weight on a high-fat diet, the knockout of Chchd10 in adipose tissue significantly decreased the rise in visceral fat mass.

This suggests that modulating Chchd10 levels may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity treatment.

Ruby Hoo Lai-chong, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at HKUMed, noted that the research offered critical insights into the molecular pathways involved in regulating adipose tissue homeostasis and their impact on managing obesity.

"By targeting Chchd10 and its associated pathways, new therapeutic strategies can be developed to combat diet-induced obesity and improve metabolic health," Hoo said.

"The research underscores the potential interventions targeting metabolic dysfunctions in specific adipose depots."

cheng.wong@singtaonewscorp.com