TOFA boosts fat burning without appetite loss, preserves muscle in obese mice

UC Berkeley researchers identify oral TOFA as a weight-loss candidate that increases energy expenditure in obese mice (≈18% weight loss) without reducing appetite or lean mass, by blocking lipid production and activating fat-burning genes. It also reduced liver fat/inflammation in mouse models and showed enhanced effects when combined with drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide, but human safety, dosing, and long-term effects remain unknown; results are limited to mice to date.