However, recent work in rat and mouse models of obesity and IR demonstrates that enhanced catabolism of BCAA mediated by pharmacologic activation of the branched‐chain α‐keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) improves insulin sensitivity while lowering circulating BCAAs and branch chain ketoacids (BCKAs).17, 18. Here, INS is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.