Scientist optimistic about obesity vaccine
(DIANE SAWYER): And this morning, some news about a new approach in the fight against fat. You know the statistics, 65 percent of adult Americans are overweight or clinically obese.
(GRAPHIC: 65 percent of adult Americans are overweight or obese)
(DIANE SAWYER): Well what if someday in the future you could get a shot that protected you from obesity? There's a new study from the Scripps Research Institute which has successfully treated an obesity vaccine in rats and animals but there are also clinical trials in humans underway.
(DIANE SAWYER): Exercise. Diet. Pills. Surgery. But what if there were a brand new way to start treating obesity? What if there were a vaccine? Get one shot, and suddenly, you have less appetite? There could be one on the way.
(Woman on the street): I think it would be a quick fix.
(Woman on the street): I would love it.
(DIANE SAWYER): Kim Janda and colleagues are studying the hormone Ghrelin which helps regulate the body's metabolism and is thought to increase the feelings of hunger. During weight loss, ghrelin slows down metabolism, encourages eating and makes it difficult to lose weight and keep it off. So scientists developed a way to make the immune system to produce antibodies to attack ghrelin in attempt to make weight loss easier. In Europe they've been testing it on humans. Here in the U.S. a small group of rats got it and another didn't.
(Dr. Kim Janda Scripps Research Institute): What we found was that the animals ate the same, they drank the same, but the ones who had correct vaccines that we used we saw a slowing in weight gain and a decrease in fat.
(DIANE SAWYER): The vaccine did slow the rate of weight gain in rats while still allowing normal eating. The jury is still out on people.
(Dr. Dennis Gage, Lennox Hill Hospital): I think it is extremely early to even determine whether there's going to be success in humans with the vaccine.
(DIANE SAWYER): But Kim Janda believes this is it; they have come across something very big.
(Dr. Kim Janda Scripps Research Institute): It's going to have to be used in conjunction with therapy such as dieting, exercise. We believe this could have a huge impact on society in terms of obesity. In terms of health care.
(DIANE SAWYER): So someday will we all be lining up for our fat vaccine? Joining us now obesity expert Dr. Louis Aronne a friend of ours. Director of the comprehensive weight control program at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Good to have you back.
(Dr. Louis Aronne, Obesity Expert): Thanks Diane.
(DIANE SAWYER): Alright, let me understand about the rats first, although no one ever cares if the rats can fit into their skirts. They get all the breaks here. They were eating the same amount as rats who didn't have the vaccine and those who didn't have the vaccine put on pounds, well not pounds, but weight. And those who did did not?
(Dr. Louis Aronne, Obesity Expert): They didn't gain as much weight. So the vaccine slowed down the rate of weight gain in animals who at the exact same amount of food. That showed that the vaccine increased metabolic rate slightly and that would be very, very important in trying to prevent obesity in the future.
(GRAPHIC: 45% of women are on a diet. 25% of men are on a diet.
(DIANE SAWYER): Means that vaccines at least are potential in helping with weight control? Potential?
(Dr. Louis Aronne, Obesity Expert): It looks like there is potential but you really have to try this in humans. And that kind of work is going on.
(GRAPHIC: 130 million start a diet each year)
(DIANE SAWYER): I wanted to ask about that work going on. In Switzerland they?re testing 112 volunteers who are already obese. But this is my question: what does it feel like to have had this vaccine? Does it just mean you're not hungry or are you not hungry for bad things?
(GRAPHIC: 2.5% keep weight off)
(Dr. Louis Aronne, Obesity Expert): Well people will probably just be able to stick with a diet program. We're studying 10 new treatments for obesity right now. What we find is that because they're targeted, they're more targeted past ones people have very few side effects. They can't even tell that they?re taking something. What they just feel is the ability to stick with the plan.
(GRAPHIC: 96% gain weight back in 5 years)
(GRAPHIC: 90% gain more than they lost)
(GRAPHIC: $33 billion/yr spent on weight loss products)
(DIANE SAWYER): So it just gives you mysterious self control. You don?t feel anything different at all. Do you need just one shot? Or are they hypothesizing that you need a lot more?
(Dr. Louis Aronne, Obesity Expert): Well the one that?s being tested in humans right now you probably need regular shots. The one that the Scripps group is investigating, probably just one shot early in life to prevent obesity, if this works in humans.
(DIANE SAWYER): Of course it?s hard to believe this shot that you get through your whole body that controls appetite doesn't just affect other things and somehow hurt you in some ways. But you're saying so far, no side effects. You do eat normally; you don't get eating disorder behavior?
(Dr. Louis Aronne, Obesity Expert): Well it?s going to take a long time to prove that it's save and effective. So I don't want people to hold off on their plans to lose weight right now waiting for this kind of treatment. But it is possible that it's going to be safe and effective. That has to be proven.
(DIANE SAWYER): And again, you?d have to it in conjunction with exercise?
(Dr. Louis Aronne, Obesity Expert): I think you would because it looks like food itself has a very powerful effect on changing body weight and what you think about food and your appetite. So it may be that that's the case that it is easier to stick to the plan if you have a vaccine like this.
(DIANE SAWYER): Darn. I was hoping you'd say you can get rid of the exercises too. Well again, this is a whole new approach. Something new to think about this morning and a headline in the medical community. Thank you.
(Dr. Louis Aronne, Obesity Expert): Thank you.
©2004 Dennis Gage, M.D., F.A.C.P.
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