Chronic stress may stimulate production of a protein that then goes on to block an enzyme that breaks down body fat, new evidence suggests, writes .

Its role in stress brings new attention to the protein, called betatrophin, which was once hailed by researchers as a breakthrough therapy for diabetes, but later deemed ineffective.

While the latest properties of betatrophin have yet to be tested in a clinical setting, researchers say the findings have potential implications for humans.

“Betatrophin reduces the body’s ability to break down fat, underscoring a link between chronic stress and weight gain,” says Li-Jun Yang, professor of pathology, immunology, and laboratory medicine at the University of Florida.

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