科学家有望研制出长肌肉并远离肥胖的药物
A study found that suppressing production of the protein myostatin increased muscle mass.
一项研究发现，阻止肌肉生长抑制蛋白的生成可以提升肌肉质量。
Although the research was conducted in mice, the team hopes it will lead to human treatments.
Lead researcher Dr Joshua Butcher, from Augusta University in Georgia, US, said: "Ultimately, the goal of our research would be to create a pill that mimics the effect of exercise and protects against obesity.
"A pill that inhibits myostatin could also have applications for muscle-wasting diseases, such as cancer, muscle dystrophy and AIDS, Myostatin is known to be a powerful "brake" that holds back skeletal muscle growth."
Studies suggest that obese people produce more of the protein, making it harder for them to exercise and build up muscle.
"Given that exercise is one of the most effective interventions for obesity, this creates a cycle by which a person becomes trapped in obesity," said Dr Butcher.