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Scientists from the University of California, Irvine, have found in a study with rodents that blocking a certain protein allows normal metabolism to be maintained on a high-fat diet, writes the journal "Nature Communications".

Biologists have focused on a protein complex that is involved in controlling the body's energy balance.

For example, when blood sugar levels are low, the protein complex can speed up the breakdown of fat to get energy from it.

Scientists know that consuming large amounts of fat blocks the activity of these proteins, leading to a metabolic imbalance.

However, exactly how cells block this mechanism has not yet been studied.

Scientists believe that a component of the protein complex called SAPS3 plays an important role in this process.

They tried to block the protein in question in mice and fed them a diet with a 45 percent fat content.

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Blocking it allowed the mice to maintain normal energy balance despite consuming large amounts of fat.

They maintained a normal weight, avoiding obesity and the development of diabetes. 

Researchers have begun work on creating molecules that can block SAPS3 and restore normal metabolism, BTA notes.

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