A team of researchers have found an interesting use for the sex drug Viagra. It has been shown that it could also be used to prevent excess weight gain. Scientists at Germany’s University of Bonn discovered that the drug converts white fat cells into beige ones and could thus potentially melt away some of the excess fat that so many people are keen to be rid of. The results of the study conducted on mice were published in The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
It was also found the drug, which is most commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction in men, can also decrease the risk of other complications caused by obesity. Viagra, which is also known as Sildenafil, prevents the degradation of cyclic guanosine mono-phosphate, which then ensures the blood can get to the genitals to produce an erection.
The fact mice which are given sildenafil over longer periods of time were resistant to gaining weight when fed with high-fat diet has actually been known for some time. But it had not yet been clear exactly why this reduced weight gain occurs, which is where the latest research is able to shed some light.
The researchers gave the potency drug to the rodents for seven days. Sildenafil increased the conversion of white fat cells into beige ones in the animals. Beige fat cells burn the energy from ingested food and convert it to heat; this helps to melt away the fat.
In addition to these factors, the team also observed that if white fat cells are further stuffed they increase in size and can create and release hormones which in turn cause inflammation thus increasing the person’s risk of developing chronic diseases.
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