Posted on 03/31/2022 11:39:44 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
When mice with atopic dermatitis—a common type of allergic skin inflammation—are treated with drugs that target the immune system, their thickened, itchy skin generally heals quickly. But scientists have now discovered that the same treatment in obese mice makes their skin worse instead. That is because obesity changes the molecular underpinnings of allergic inflammation, both in mice and humans.
The researchers suspected that dysfunction in a protein called PPAR-gamma might be mediating the link between obesity and inflammation. In 1995, Evans and his team discovered that PPAR-gamma was a master regulator of fat cells and a target of an approved drug for diabetes.
When the scientists treated obese mice with atopic dermatitis with PPAR-gamma activating drug rosiglitazone, the animals' skin improved and the molecular profile of their disease switched back from TH17 to TH2 inflammation. Moreover, the drugs aimed at the TH2 inflammation were then, almost as in lean mice, able to improve the obese animals' atopic dermatitis.
"Essentially, we immunologically 'de-fattened' obese mice without changing their body weight," says Bapat.
Back to patients
The team also analyzed data from human patients with allergic disease with atopic dermatitis as well as asthma. They found that obese people were more likely to have indications of TH17 inflammation or decreased signs of the expected TH2 inflammation.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosiglitazone
https://www.google.com/search?q=Is+rosiglitazone+still+on+the+market
“Although rosiglitazone has been removed from the market in most countries, and use in the US has rapidly dropped since boxed warnings were issued in 2007, the drug is still available in the US.”
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a699023.html
“IMPORTANT WARNING:
Rosiglitazone and other similar medications for diabetes may cause or worsen congestive heart failure (condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the other parts of the body). Before you start to take rosiglitazone, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had congestive heart failure, especially if your heart failure is so severe that you must limit your activity and are only comfortable when you are at rest or you must remain in a chair or bed. Also tell your doctor if you were born with a heart defect, and if you have or have ever had swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; heart disease, high blood pressure; coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that lead to the heart); a heart attack; an irregular heartbeat; or sleep apnea. Your doctor may tell you not to take rosiglitazone or may monitor you carefully during your treatment.
If you develop congestive heart failure, you may experience certain symptoms. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms, especially when you first start taking rosiglitazone or after your dose is increased: large weight gain in a short period of time; shortness of breath; swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; swelling or pain in the stomach; waking up short of breath during the night; needing to sleep with extra pillows under your head in order to breathe while lying down; frequent dry cough or wheezing; difficulty thinking clearly or confusion; fast or racing heart beat; not able to walk or exercise as well; or increased tiredness.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with rosiglitazone and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking rosiglitazone.”
“Essentially, we immunologically ‘de-fattened’ obese mice without changing their body weight”
Hmm, so you can take a drug with unknown consequences to reverse only one of mainly deadly consequences of obesity... or you could just lose some weight and reverse all of them without taking any potentially hazardous drugs.
Tough choice.
I wouldn’t think a prescription for it until you get your skin issue addressed would be as much of a problem.
After all, these people already are obese, have dysfunctional immune systems, and have a currently untreatable and annoying skin condition.
If you can knock two of those out (which are 100% there), then the unlikely side effects you listed might be worth it.
That expectation was met near the end:
"Essentially, we immunologically 'de-fattened' obese mice without changing their body weight," says Bapat."Yeah. Get fat, take drugs to dampen some consequential effects thereof, stay fat.
smh
“currently untreatable and annoying skin condition”
there’s nothing untreatable at all about atopic dermatitis ... there are numerous effective treatment medications, ranging from old and safe ones like hydroxychloroquine, which works in 33% of cases, all the way to brand new ones called JAK inhibitors ...
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