Scientists in Sweden have discovered a new treatment that may change the way we manage type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The research, published in the journal Cell, comes from teams at Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University.
Their findings suggest that it may be possible to lower blood sugar and increase fat burning without making people lose their appetite or their muscle mass. This is very different from how today’s popular medications, like Ozempic, work.
Right now, GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic are widely used and help many people control blood sugar and lose weight. But these drugs work by affecting how the gut communicates with the brain, which reduces hunger.
Because they strongly lower appetite, many users lose not only fat but also muscle. Some people also experience nausea, an upset stomach, and weakness. The new treatment the researchers are studying works in a completely different way. Instead of reducing hunger, it directly targets how muscles use energy.
This new pill boosts the metabolic activity inside skeletal muscle. In animal research, it helped lower blood sugar, burned more fat, and improved body composition.
What makes it even more promising is that it avoided the problems commonly seen with appetite‑suppressing drugs. The mice kept their appetite and muscle mass, which is important because muscle is a key factor in both diabetes and overall health as people age.
The first clinical test of the drug involved 48 healthy volunteers and 25 people with type 2 diabetes. These early results showed that the treatment was well tolerated, meaning people did not experience major side effects.
According to Professor Tore Bengtsson from Stockholm University, improving metabolic health without muscle loss could be a big step forward. Muscle plays a huge role in controlling blood sugar, staying mobile, and even how long we live.
The active ingredient in this new pill is based on a laboratory‑designed molecule known as a β2 agonist. Older versions of β2 agonists can overstimulate the heart, which limits their use.
But this new molecule has been carefully redesigned so that it activates helpful pathways in muscle without harming the heart. This makes it a completely new type of medication.
Researchers believe the drug could be used alone or together with GLP‑1 drugs. Because it works through a different biological pathway, it may benefit patients who do not respond well to appetite‑lowering drugs. It may also offer extra benefits when combined with existing treatments. This flexibility could make it very useful in the future.
The next big step is a phase II clinical trial carried out by Atrogi AB, the company developing the treatment. This upcoming study will test the drug in people who are already living with obesity or type 2 diabetes to see whether the promising results seen in animals and early human volunteers also appear in larger groups.
This project brings together scientists from several universities across Europe and Australia, including the University of Copenhagen, Uppsala University, Monash University, and the University of Queensland. Funding came from major research groups such as the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Society for Medical Research, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Some of the authors involved in the research also work with or own shares in Atrogi AB, the company behind the drug. Professor Bengtsson founded the company and continues to help guide its scientific direction.
He and another researcher have also applied for patents related to the new compound. These connections are clearly stated in the publication so readers understand the researchers’ involvement.
When reviewing the study findings, the results are exciting but still early. The treatment worked well in animals and seemed safe in the first small human trial. However, we cannot yet say how effective it will be for long‑term diabetes management or weight loss.
Unlike GLP‑1 drugs, it does not reduce appetite, so weight‑loss results may vary widely between individuals.
Larger studies are needed to confirm benefits and rule out rare side effects. Still, the idea of improving metabolism directly in muscle without harming the heart or reducing muscle mass offers a fresh and promising direction in diabetes and obesity treatment.
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.
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