The recent buzz about hyperinsulinemia being at the root of obesity (whatever the mechanism) has had me thinking again about the insulin lowering drugs. Studies in this regard were referenced in the recent article in Cell from Dr. James Johnson's research group at UBC. If this is really all there is to it, why not just treat obesity with such drugs? Or at least give them to the reduced-obese so they won't regain the weight, and/or the so-called pre-obese who start gaining at some point in life before they become obese. This is really the bottom line of studies like the recent one from UBC. Because if all we need to do is suppress the hyperinsulinemia (however it is caused) to prevent obesity it would be done. There is a relatively rare condition, called by many names, but most descriptively neo-natal or infant hyperinsulinism. These children must be treated ASAP to avoid the consequences of hypoglycemic episodes. I surmise the drugs octreotide and diazoxide were developed at least in part for treating this condition, though often partial removal of the pancreas is required.
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