Researchers from the University of Alberta and other institutions have discovered that an older class of antipsychotic drugs could potentially be used as a new therapy for type 2 diabetes.
This discovery offers hope to patients who are unable to take other available treatments.
Metformin is currently one of the most commonly prescribed therapeutics for type 2 diabetes. However, approximately 15% of patients are unable to tolerate it.
Insulin secretagogues are another class of drugs that are commonly used to treat diabetes, but they are less effective for later-stage patients who require a different treatment option.
The study focused on succinyl CoA:3-ketoacid CoA transferase (SCOT), an enzyme involved in the body’s process of converting ketones into energy.
The researchers used computer modeling to search for drugs that could interact with SCOT and found that an older generation of antipsychotic drugs, called diphenylbutylpiperidines (DPBP), could potentially be repurposed to treat diabetes.
One specific drug within the DPBP class, called pimozide, showed potential as an anti-diabetic agent. The team found that all DPBP drugs improved blood sugar control by preventing muscles from burning ketones as a fuel source.
This SCOT inhibition is believed to be the reason why these antipsychotics could be effective in treating diabetes.
Developing a new drug is a complex and expensive process, which involves clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy.
Repurposing an existing drug for a new use can help to fast-track the process and reduce the time and costs involved.
Clinical trials are still needed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of DPBP drugs in treating diabetes.
Antipsychotic drugs are a class of medications primarily used to treat mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression.
They work by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters, which can help to alleviate symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking.
Some antipsychotic drugs, including the older generation drugs mentioned in the article, have been found to have potential therapeutic benefits for other medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
However, it’s important to note that antipsychotic drugs can have serious side effects and should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
The study was conducted by John Ussher et al and published in the journal Diabetes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that eating more eggs linked to higher risk of diabetes, and how to reduce heart disease death risk if you have diabetes.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about high-protein diet linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes, and results showing diabetes drug metformin may slow down cognitive decline.
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