Lose fat without losing muscle: A booster of this protein might be the solution

If you’re among the 13% of American adults who have used GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, you likely know that along with fat loss comes muscle loss.And if you don’t engage in weightlifting or have conditions that prevent you from starting an exercise regimen, you have limited options to combat this.

A Potential Game-Changer: The Role of BCL6

However, researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a molecule that could be a game-changer. They discovered that a protein called BCL6 is responsible for maintaining muscle structure, and increasing its levels could prevent muscle tissue from breaking down without hindering weight loss.

Muscle is the most abundant tissue in the human body, so its maintenance is crucial for our health and quality of life, said Ronald Evans, professor and director of the Gene Expression Laboratory at the Salk Institute.Our study reveals how the body coordinates muscle preservation with energy and nutrition levels. With this new understanding, we can develop treatments for patients losing muscle due to weight loss, aging, or disease.

This discovery extends beyond those taking GLP-1 drugs. Although scientists conducted the research on mice, they are confident they can apply the findings to human physiology.

Fasting and Its Impact on BCL6

While studying the mechanisms of fasting, researchers noted that the stomach and brain communicate to stimulate the secretion of a growth hormone targeting muscle tissue. This process reduces BCL6 levels, which weakens and shrinks the muscle’s structure.

When researchers boosted BCL6 levels, muscle tissue became resistant to this process, meaning weight loss would come solely from fat. In mouse experiments, those without the BCL6 boost had 40% less muscle mass compared to the control group and structurally weaker muscles. Conversely, when BCL6 levels were restored, muscle loss and strength depletion were reversed.

Interestingly, in fasting mice, BCL6 levels dropped significantly in as little as one night.

The Path Forward: Promising Therapeutic Potential

We’re excited to highlight BCL6’s critical role in maintaining muscle mass, said Hunter Wang, lead author of the study and postdoctoral researcher in Evans’ lab. These findings are both surprising and promising, paving the way for new discoveries and therapeutic innovations.

The team believes this discovery could lead to the development of a BCL6 booster to be used alongside GLP-1 drugs, preventing muscle loss. For now, the researchers plan to study the effects of longer fasting periods and their impact on muscle tissue. This type of BCL6 therapy could also benefit broader populations, including older adults and individuals with muscle-impacting conditions such as cancer.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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