New method of combating obesity-related health problems devised

A new study has revealed information about how future medicines could potentially minimise the number of health problems associated with obesity.

The University of Tokyo team has found that blocking an element in the bloodstream called AIM (apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage) can help to prevent the inflammation and autoimmune disorders that are often linked to excess weight.

This follows a previous study by the university showing that suppression of AIM could also help prevent obesity-associated diabetes and atherosclerosis – an important discovery given the rising rates of obesity affecting many developed nations.

It is hoped that this could pave the way for human studies are of a new AIM-targeted obesity therapy.

Toru Miyazaki of the University of Tokyo said: "AIM inhibition potentially could be used as a therapy to prevent not only insulin resistance and metabolic disorders but also autoimmunity under obese conditions."

Data from the NHS shows that just over one-quarter of all adults in England suffered from obesity in 2012.