Scientists Find Molecular 'Memory' That Makes Lost Weight Return

Researchers at the Harrington Discovery Institute and Case Western Reserve University identified a mechanism behind weight regain: asprosin, a hormone released by fat tissue, stays elevated after weight loss due to epigenetic changes triggered by TGF-β1. Blocking this pathway in mice prevented weight regain and the transmission of obesity susceptibility from mothers to offspring.

• Asprosin stimulates appetite and remains elevated even after full weight loss in mice
• TGF-β1 causes an epigenetic change in fat cells that lasts for weeks
• Blocking the asprosin pathway prevented weight regain and offspring obesity susceptibility
• GLP-1 drugs suppress appetite but do not erase this cellular memory