Breakthrough in the treatment of type 2 diabetes
Now became one Peptide developed, which belongs to a new class of antidiabetics. It is capable of that correct metabolic abnormalitiesthat lead to type 2 diabetes and associated comorbidities such as insulin resistance. The new development could represent an important breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes.
In a new study involving experts from University of Birmingham was labeled a peptide PAWS tested in vivo, which reduces whole-body insulin resistance while improving glucose intolerance, fasting glucose, hepatic steatosis, and fibrosis in rodents.
The results were published in the English-language journal “Diabetes“ published.
About 537 million people have diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease affecting approximately the world 537 million people are affected. Most of those affected suffer from type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes has been increasing for decadeswhich is due to the aging of the population, lack of exercise and a poor diet, the team said.
In addition, the age at which people develop diabetes is also decreasing. The disease is also becoming more prevalent these days young people and children on.
weaknesses of existing drugs
Drugs currently available are designed to consequences of type 2 diabetes to treat. For that, they mainly focus on the Lowering blood sugar levelsexplain the researchers.
Although there is an urgent need to develop new and effective treatment options for diabetes, no breakthrough therapeutic treatment has appeared on the market in over a decade.
Was sind Adipeutics?
The newly developed peptide PATAS could help here. It belongs to a new class of diabetes drugs called Adipeutics be designated. These are medicines for treatments that specifically fat cells affect.
How PATAS works
PATAS works by targeting the The adipocytes (i.e. the fat cells), restores glucose entry and thus corrects the metabolic physiology of the adipose tissue, the experts explain.
Within the study, the new form of treatment in animal models Targeted recovery of glucose uptake into adipocytes. This led to a treatment for insulin resistance, which had positive effects on the entire body, the researchers continue to report.
PATAS could also help with other diseases
The effects of the therapy are also very promising for diseases other than type 2 diabetes. So treating insulin resistance also helps against one variety of serious illnesseswhich can be traced back to the resistance, explain the researchers.
The current study is the result of many years of intensive laboratory work. Years before, the researchers had a new one therapeutic target identified for type 2 diabeteswhile studying a rare condition called Alstrom syndrome.
Insulin resistance caused by abnormalities in adipose tissue
At that time it was found that abnormalities in adipose tissue caused by the dysfunctional protein ALMS1 be triggered, in people with Alstrom syndrome to a extremely severe insulin resistance to lead.
Such severe insulin resistance is associated with a early development of type 2 diabetes tied together. However, if the function of the protein in the fat cells was restored, this led in animal models to the so-called blood sugar balance returned to normal, the team said.
The experts then focused more closely on ALMS1 and specifically how it interacts with other proteins within fat cells. That’s how the team found out ALMS1 in the absence of insulin to another protein labeled PKC alpha binds.
Activation of insulin in adipocytes leads to separation of these two proteins. This causes glucose to enter the cells. The researchers explain that this connection between the two proteins persists in people with diabetes (who are insulin-resistant).
PATAS interrupts interaction between ALMS1 and PKC alpha
With this knowledge in hand, the experts developed the peptide PATAS. The peptide is able to Interrupt interaction between ALMS1 and PKC alphacausing the Insulin signaling restored in fat cells became.
So, with the help of PATAS, it became possible to restore the normal physiology of fat cells achieve by using it in mouse models restored glucose uptake.
„Thanks to PATAS, the adipocytes that had lost access to glucose were able to take it up again and then metabolize it to synthesize and secrete lipids useful throughout the body‘ explains the author of the study Vincent Marion in a press release.
Significant improvement in insulin resistance achieved
„These positive effects are visible in our animal models, which show a significant improvement in insulin resistance. Other parameters and comorbidities are also improved, including better glycemic control and reduced liver fibrosis and steatosis‘ adds the expert.
Next, the team is planning a clinical trial to to study PATAS on humans. The development of a new class of antidiabetic drugs could significantly improve not only the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but also that of many other cardio-metabolic diseases in which dysfunctional adipocytes and insulin resistance are problems. (as)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- Edwige Schreyer; Cathy Obringer; Nadia Messaddeq; Bruno Kieffer; Paul Zimmet;, et al.: PATAS, a First-in-Class Therapeutic Peptide Biologic, Improves Whole-Body Insulin Resistance and Associated Comorbidities In Vivo; in: Diabetes (veröffentlicht 13.07.2022), Diabetes
- INSERM (National Institute for Health and Medical Research): Towards a new drug class in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (veröffentlicht 13.07.2022), INSERM
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.