Research

Hormonal

Systemic administration of angiogenesis inhibitors (TNP-470, angiostatin, endostatin, Bay-129566, thalidomide) reduces adipose tissue mass and body weight in obese mice by inducing endothelial apoptosis and inhibiting endothelial proliferation, independent of direct adipocyte toxicity.

This research suggests that targeting the blood vessels within fat tissue (angiogenesis) can reduce fat mass. In obese mice, drugs that inhibit blood vessel growth (like TNP-470, angiostatin, endostatin) led to significant weight loss and fat reduction, comparable to leptin treatment. The weight loss was not just due to eating less, as treated mice lost more weight than control mice fed the same amount of food. This indicates a direct effect on fat tissue metabolism or structure. However, these are experimental drugs in mice, not approved human weight loss treatments.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
We conclude that adipose tissue mass is sensitive to angiogenesis inhibitors and can be regulated by its vasculature.
Maria A. Rupnick et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2002

Why this rating

High-quality controlled animal study with multiple inhibitors, dose-response data, and histological validation of mechanism.

Source

Adipose tissue mass can be regulated through the vasculature

Maria A. Rupnick et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2002

DOI 10.1073/pnas.162349799

mechanism_onlyCited 829×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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