A new study has found that gold nanoparticles may be more effective than a common weight-loss drug in reversing obesity-related health problems, offering new hope for those looking to lose fat.

Researchers from Alexandria University, Erbil Polytechnic University, and Pharos University tested tiny gold particles on rats that became obese after being fed a high-fat diet.

The gold particles reduced body fat, improved muscle mass, and restored the health of vital organs, showing stronger results than orlistat, a commonly used anti-obesity drug.

Obesity rates and current treatment challenges

Obesity occurs when excess fat accumulates in the body due to consuming more calories than burned. It is linked to serious health risks, including diabetes, heart disease, and death.

Many existing treatments, such as orlistat, semaglutide , and tirzepatide often cause unwanted side effects, prompting researchers to explore new therapies.

How the study was conducted?

The study, published in Scientific Reports , involved 40 male rats that were fed a high-fat diet for nine weeks to induce obesity.

The rats were then divided into groups, with some receiving gold nanoparticle injections daily or weekly at different doses, while another group received daily orlistat injections. A control group of eight rats was fed a normal diet without any treatment.

Researchers used specialized tools to measure body fat and muscle mass before and after treatment. Blood samples were tested to check fat levels, blood sugar, and oxidative stress – signs of damage in the body.

Liver and kidney tissues were also examined under a microscope to observe changes caused by obesity and the treatments.

Gold nanoparticles outperform orlistat

High doses of gold nanoparticles significantly lowered body fat and increased muscle mass. The treatment also brought blood sugar, fat levels, and oxidative stress markers back to near-normal levels.

These improvements were more noticeable in rats treated with higher doses of gold compared to those given orlistat or lower doses of gold particles.

Blood tests confirmed that gold nanoparticle treatment restored key health markers to normal ranges. Tissue studies revealed reduced fat buildup and healthier liver and kidney cells in rats treated with gold.

In contrast, rats that received orlistat continued to show organ damage despite some reduction in body fat.

A new hope for obesity treatment

The study’s findings suggest that gold nanoparticles could become a promising alternative to current obesity treatments. They demonstrated better results in improving metabolic health and reducing organ damage than the commonly used drug orlistat.

However, researchers emphasized that further studies are needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of gold nanoparticles for human use.