Scientists from the University of Hong Kong have demonstrated that fat-targeted nanoparticles carrying thyroid hormone can lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce atherosclerosis in mice. The findings were reported in Nature Communications, highlighting a novel approach to tackling cardiovascular risk factors in a preclinical setting.
In this study, researchers designed nanoparticles that selectively deliver the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine to adipose tissue. They evaluated the approach in obese mice to understand how targeted delivery might influence metabolic processes. The results showed that triiodothyronine carried by these nanoparticles prompted white fat, which stores energy, to switch into a fat type known as brown fat that dissipates energy as heat. This conversion was associated with increased caloric expenditure and improvements in lipid profiles. Mice treated with the targeted hormone showed a notable decrease in circulating cholesterol and diminished indicators of arterial plaque formation.
Thyroid hormones have long been explored for obesity treatment due to their role in regulating metabolism. However, their clinical use has been limited by a spectrum of adverse effects, including muscle wasting, bone loss, and cardiac risks, which can be significant barriers to therapy. The current work suggests a pathway to harness the metabolic benefits of thyroid hormone while potentially reducing systemic side effects through tissue-specific delivery. If further studies confirm these findings, this technology could lay the groundwork for a new class of anti-obesity strategies that leverage thyroid hormone biology in a targeted, safer manner.
The research underscores the importance of delivery methods that can confine potent hormones to fat tissue, thereby promoting energy burning and favorable lipid changes without subjecting other organs to high hormone exposure. As scientists continue to refine the nanoparticles and assess long-term outcomes, they are aiming to translate these observations into clinically viable approaches. While the results in mice are encouraging, translating such therapies to humans will require careful optimization, rigorous safety evaluations, and comprehensive clinical testing to determine efficacy, dosing, and potential risks across diverse populations in North America and beyond.