New dual action nanoparticles turn body fat into calorie burning machine

A surprising new obesity treatment converts unhealthy white fat into burn inflammation while fighting inflammation, according to research published this month in the Journal of Controlled Release.

Scientists at the Terasaki Institute of Biomedical Innovation and the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy have designed microscopic nanoparticles that deliver natural plant compounds directly to adipose tissue, possibly a more targeted approach than current obesity drugs.

The treatment uses propionate, a compound found in common foods such as parsley, celery, and chamomile, but packaging it in specially designed nanoparticles improves its effectiveness and reduces potential side effects.

“Our technology represents a paradigm shift in obesity treatment,” said Dr. Alireza Hassani Najafabadi, who leads the research team. “By reprogramming adipocytes to burn more calories and simultaneously addressing chronic inflammation that aggravates metabolic disease, we are attacking obesity with root causes, not just managing symptoms.”

The time is urgent. According to CDC data, obesity rates continue to climb globally, affecting more than 40% of American adults. Although new GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic have become increasingly popular, they work primarily by suppressing appetite rather than addressing the potential biology of adipose tissue itself.

This new approach takes fundamentally different paths by targeting the immune environment in adipose tissue. Obesity is now thought to involve a chronic low-grade inflammation in which certain immune cells called macrophages transfer from the anti-inflammatory state (M2) to the pro-inflammatory state (M1).

“This approach focuses on the balance between pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) macrophages in adipose tissue – a key link between immune cells and metabolic health,” said Dr. Ryan M. Pearson, co-leader of the study. “By addressing inflammation and energy regulation, we hope our work can inspire new strategies to treat chronic diseases such as obesity.”

The dual mechanism of treatment first works by rebalancing these immune cells, creating an environment that encourages a second effect: converting standard white adipocytes into “bee” adipocytes that burn calories to produce calories instead of storing them.

The researchers designed the nanoparticles using poly(lactic acid-glycolic acid) or PLGA, a biodegradable polymer that has been approved by the FDA for a variety of medical applications. The delivery system of the nanoparticles helps overcome the natural limitations of Ainin – its bioavailability and rapid metabolism in the body – ensuring that the compounds reach adipose tissue at effective concentrations.

In laboratory studies, Queensin-loaded nanoparticles successfully reduced inflammatory markers and promoted fat browning. When tested in mice with diet-induced obesity, treatment resulted in a significant reduction in weight and fat mass without detectable toxicity of the major organs.

While treatment shows promise, experts noted that a large number of clinical trials will be required before patients can be used. Questions about long-term effects, optimal doses, and how this approach complements existing treatments.

Dr. Ali Khademhosseini, Director and CEO of the Terasaki Institute, stressed the importance of this advancement: “As obesity rates continue to rise globally, we urgently need safer and more effective treatment options. This study shows how innovative biomedical engineering can translate natural compounds into powerful therapeutic tools.”

The researchers plan to further refine the technology before moving toward human clinical trials. If successful, this approach could end up being a new option for millions of struggling with obesity and its associated diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and fatty liver disease.

In addition to obesity, targeted immunomodulation technology may be used in other inflammatory states. The team is exploring how similar nanoparticle systems provide therapeutic compounds to treat diseases ranging from arthritis to certain types of cancer.

Currently, the study outlines how nanotechnology can enable more precise, targeted approaches to complex metabolic diseases. By using the natural mechanisms of the human body, rather than opposing them, these emerging treatments are designed to provide more effective and sustainable solutions to one of our most challenging health crises.