Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that nearly 20% of children and teenagers in the United States are classified as obese, a condition linked to serious health complications such as arthritis, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. In light of these findings, the American Academy of Pediatrics is advocating for early and intensive interventions to tackle childhood obesity.
At Shriners Children’s St. Louis, researchers have been diligently working over the past four years on innovative strategies to combat the effects of obesity in children. Under the leadership of Dr. Farshid Guilak, Director of Research, and Senior Scientist Dr. Ruhang Tang, their pioneering work has led to the development of a gene therapy designed to convert harmful fatty acids into beneficial ones. This breakthrough could significantly reduce obesity-related health risks, particularly arthritis among affected youth. Their research has been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Guilak emphasizes that omega-6 fatty acids—commonly found in fried foods and vegetable oils—are known to promote inflammation and contribute to various health issues including arthritis and cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, omega-3 fatty acids from sources like fish and certain nuts can improve metabolic health by enhancing insulin sensitivity, promoting fat metabolism, and reducing inflammation.
“The typical American diet tends to be high in omega-6s while lacking sufficient omega-3s,” Dr. Guilak explained. “This imbalance poses significant risks for children. Our gene therapy aims to automatically convert omega-6 into omega-3 fatty acids within the body, effectively transforming detrimental fats into healthier alternatives.”
Co-lead researcher Dr. Natalia Harasymowicz noted that their gene therapy also reduces pro-inflammatory cells responsible for driving obesity-related inflammation and arthritis symptoms. The study specifically focused on “post-traumatic arthritis,” a common condition among children resulting from knee injuries such as meniscus tears.
The team’s findings revealed that a single injection of their gene therapy substantially mitigated the negative impacts associated with a high-fat diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids on both metabolic health and knee arthritis symptoms. Remarkably, they discovered that diet-induced obesity led to premature aging in mice models—a process that was reversed through their gene therapy approach.
“Obesity appears to cause ‘old knees’ in young patients,” said Dr. Guilak. “Arthritis can inflict severe pain and disability on children; thus, we are optimistic that this research may lower its risk while enhancing treatment effectiveness.”
In addition to his role at Shriners Children’s St. Louis, Dr. Guilak serves as the Mildred B. Simon Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis and co-director of its Center for Regenerative Medicine. His team is currently collaborating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with plans to begin clinical trials within three to five years.
The potential applications stemming from this research could revolutionize how childhood obesity is addressed while improving joint health outcomes for future generations—offering hope for healthier lives ahead amidst rising concerns about obesity’s long-term effects.
Published on October 14, 2024 and Last Updated on October 17, 2024 by: Priyank Pandey
