"This compound is basically telling skeletal muscle to make the same changes you see during endurance training," said lead author Thomas Burris, professor of pharmacy at the University of Florida. While exercise mimetics have been in the works for some time, the UF researchers found that a compound known as SLU-PP-332 was able to target a specific estrogen-related receptor (ERR), which boosted skeletal fat oxidation, therefore increasing energy expenditure. In a mouse study, SLU-PP-332 'revved' up a natural metabolic pathway that is normally excited through physical exercise. Compared to a control group of obese mice, the cohort given SLU-PP-332 twice a day for a month gained 10 times less fat and also lost 12% of their body weight in the process, with no changes to diet and exercise.