Losartan, a widely prescribed medication for high blood pressure, may have an unexpected effect on brown fat, a type of tissue that burns energy to generate heat. In an NIH-funded study, researchers analysed medical records and imaging data from more than 100,000 patients, finding associations between brown fat activity, better cardiometabolic health and lower rates of anxiety and depression. Laboratory experiments showed that losartan increased metabolic activity in brown fat cells, while studies in mice found increased energy expenditure and oxygen consumption. These findings suggest a potential new avenue for developing therapies that stimulate brown fat. However, human clinical trials are needed to confirm the benefits, and patients should not take losartan for this purpose without medical advice.
Read more at NIH