"Finding An Unlikely Culprit In Weight Gain"
Studies in mice indicate that a single hormone whose levels rise at menopause could be responsible for a characteristic redistribution of weight in middle age to the abdomen, turning many women from "pears" to "apples". At the same time, the hormone may spur the loss of bone. The work began when Mone Zaidi, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, endocrinology, and diabetes and bone disease at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai became curious about whether a reproductive hormone-FSH, or follicle-stimulating hormone – affects bone density. Dr. Zaidi reasoned that FSH could be a culprit in bone loss. SO he and his colleagues created antibody that blocked FSH in female mice whose ovaries had been removed. The researchers came up with a theory that might explain increase metabolic rates in mice in which FSH is blocked.
- Mone Zaidi, MD, PhD, Professor, Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease, Pharmacological Sciences, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai