CBL-514 Injection Reduces Visceral Fat in Early Trial

An experimental injection called CBL-514 reduced deep abdominal visceral fat in early human trials conducted by Dr. W. Timothy Garvey of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Yu-Fang Ling of Caliway Biopharmaceuticals in New Taipei City, Taiwan, according to trial findings reported by SciTechDaily.

The treatment was tested to determine whether it could reduce visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs and is linked to metabolism, insulin resistance, and risks associated with type 2 diabetes. Research published by the American Heart Association found visceral fat had a stronger association with heart failure risk than body mass index.

MRI scans from two phase 2 trials showed participants receiving CBL-514 had decreased visceral fat, while participants receiving a placebo experienced an increase, according to SciTechDaily. The injections were administered into the lower abdomen every three weeks for up to 12 weeks, with doses reaching 600 milligrams.

The number of injections depended on the thickness of participants' abdominal fat, and the treatment schedule decreased as the fat layer became smaller. CBL-514 works by selectively triggering apoptosis, a process that causes fat cells to self-destruct while leaving nearby cells unharmed.

According to SciTechDaily, four weeks after the final treatment, average visceral fat volume decreased by 12.01% among participants who received CBL-514, while the placebo group recorded a 5.68% increase.

Dr. W. Timothy Garvey said the treatment's possible cosmetic effects from reducing subcutaneous fat may attract interest, but he highlighted broader health-related outcomes connected to visceral fat reduction.

Garvey noted that the potential effects include changes in body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and visceral fat levels. The source reported that liposuction cannot remove visceral fat and therefore does not address health risks associated with high visceral fat amounts.