Two diabetes remedies linked to highly potent active ingredient
A European research team has managed to determine the effects of two diabetes medication to a new one highly effective active ingredient connect to. On the one hand, they could side effects significantly reduced and on the other hand the sugar metabolism be significantly improved.
researchers from Helmholtz Munichto the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) and Novo Nordisk have a new hormone combination for the future Treatment of type 2 diabetes developed. The promising drug candidate was recently published in the renowned journal “Nature Metabolism” presented.
Effect of tesaglitazar and GLP-1 linked
As part of the study, the scientists examined the blood-sugar-lowering effects of the drug tesaglitazar with the action of the hormone GLP-1 tied together.
How does Tesaglitazar work?
Tesaglitazar improves in those affected with Typ-2-Diabetes the glucose and lipid metabolismby the active ingredient activating two receptors in the cell nucleus and thus the insulin sensitivity increases. The effect of Tesaglitazar has already been confirmed in clinical phase 3 studies.
However, the use of the agent can lead to undesirable side effects, such as Signs of kidney damage. Through the combination with the hormone GLP-1, these side effects can be significantly reduced and the effect is increased at the same time.
How do GLP-1 analogues work?
That Gastrointestinal hormone GLP-1 has been used successfully for the treatment of type 2 diabetes for several years. GLP-1 analogues stimulate the pancreas an, Insulin pour out. They mimic the effect of the gut hormone GLP-1.
GLP-1 reduces harmful effects of tesaglitazar
The researchers used a trick for the combined active ingredient: they biochemically bound the tesaglitazar active ingredient to the gastrointestinal hormone GLP-1. In this way, the effect only unfolds on cells that have the GLP-1 receptor.
“Through this trick, we were able to combine the blood-sugar-lowering effects of GLP-1 and tesaglitazar in a single highly effective molecule, while keeping tesaglitazar away from tissues where it has harmful effects.”summarizes the lead study author dr Timo Mueller together.
Successful in animal models
The combined active ingredient has already been successfully tested in animal models. “In male obese and diabetic mice, it improves the sugar metabolism significantly more than treatment with the individual hormones GLP-1 or tesaglitazar alone”confirms the first author of the study Professor Kerstin Stemmer.
Active ingredient increases glucose tolerance
According to her, the active ingredient increases the Glukosetoleranz. Even in minimal doses he improved the blood sugar metabolism of the animals sustainably.
“The active ingredient could have great potential for the acute treatment of elevated blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes”added Aaron Novikoff from the research team. The next step is to test the usability as a diabetes drug in humans. (vb)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the requirements of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Author:
Graduate editor (FH) Volker Blasek
Sources:
- German Center for Diabetes Research: New drug candidate developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (published: 08/26/2022), dzd-ev.de
- Quarta, C., Stemmer, K., Novikoff, A. et al. GLP-1-mediated delivery of tesaglitazar improves obesity and glucose metabolism in male mice; in: Nature Metabolism (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-022-00617-6, nature.com
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.