A group of scientists in Sweden has discovered a new drug that may help people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. This drug could lower blood sugar levels and increase fat burning—without the usual side effects like loss of appetite or muscle. The results of their study were published in the journal Cell by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University.
Type 2 diabetes is a common disease that affects how the body handles sugar. People with this condition have trouble using insulin properly, and over time, their blood sugar levels get too high. Obesity, or being very overweight, is often linked to type 2 diabetes.
Together, they raise the risk of heart problems, kidney disease, and other serious health issues. Right now, one of the most popular treatments for these problems is a type of drug called GLP-1. These drugs include well-known names like Ozempic and are usually given through injections.
GLP-1 drugs help people lose weight and lower their blood sugar by changing how the gut and brain communicate. However, they also come with some unwanted effects. Many people lose their appetite, which may sound helpful but can lead to tiredness, muscle loss, and stomach problems. Some people feel sick or have trouble digesting food.
The new drug from this study is very different. It comes as a tablet and works in another way. Instead of working through the brain and gut, it activates the metabolism directly in the muscles. In simple terms, it helps muscles burn fat and sugar better.
This could lead to better blood sugar control and healthier weight loss, while keeping muscle strength. In animal tests, the results were very positive, with no major side effects.
To test whether the drug is safe for humans, researchers ran a small trial. Forty-eight healthy people and twenty-five people with type 2 diabetes took part. The drug was well tolerated by everyone, meaning they didn’t get sick or show worrying side effects.
One of the main researchers, Professor Tore Bengtsson from Stockholm University, said this could be an exciting step forward. He explained that muscle mass is very important for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity, and also helps people live longer. He believes this drug could help people stay strong while improving their health.
The drug is based on a special lab-made molecule, similar to a group of substances called β2 agonists. These are often used to treat breathing problems like asthma, but they can also raise heart rate too much. The new molecule has been carefully designed to avoid this problem. It improves muscle activity without affecting the heart.
Dr. Shane Wright, another researcher from Karolinska Institutet, said the drug could be very useful for many people because it’s a pill, not an injection. This makes it easier to take. He also noted that the new drug can be used together with GLP-1 drugs because they work differently. That means doctors could use both for better results in some patients.
The company working on this drug, Atrogi AB, is planning a bigger study soon. The next step is to test the drug in more people with type 2 diabetes or obesity to see if it works just as well as it did in early trials and animal studies.
This research was the result of teamwork between scientists in several places, including Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, and Uppsala University in Sweden, as well as universities in Denmark and Australia.
To sum up, the study shows promising early results. The new pill could help lower blood sugar and support fat burning without the usual side effects of current drugs. It might also keep people’s muscles strong, which is important for long-term health.
The early trials suggest the drug is safe, but larger studies are needed to confirm its full effects. If successful, this drug could give people with type 2 diabetes and obesity a new and easier way to manage their health.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and to people with diabetes, some fruits are better than others.
For more health information, please see recent studies that low calorie diets may help reverse diabetes, and 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes.
The research findings can be found in Cell.
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