A new weight loss drug target may help reduce appetite and burn calories without causing sickness, research suggests.
The discovery could lead to a new treatment for millions of people with both obesity and type 2 diabetes who do not respond well to current treatments, according to experts.
Millions of people across the world benefit from weight loss drugs based on the hormone GLP-1.
These drugs also improve kidney function, reduce the risk of fatal heart attacks, and are linked to protection against conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, but many people stop taking them because of common side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
In the new study scientists from the University of Copenhagen describe a powerful new drug candidate that lowers appetite without loss of muscle mass or unpleasant side effects.
Unlike treatments that are currently available, the drug improves insulin sensitivity and increases energy expenditure, the capacity of the body to burn calories.
Associate Professor Zach Gerhart-Hines from the NNF Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) at the University of Copenhagen said: “While GLP-1-based therapies have revolutionised patient care for obesity and type 2 diabetes, safely harnessing energy expenditure and controlling appetite without nausea remain two holy grails in this field.
“By addressing these needs, we believe our discovery will propel current approaches to make more tolerable, effective treatments accessible to millions more individuals.”
In the new study, published in the Nature journal, scientists tested the effect of activating a molecule, a target, called the Neurokinin 2 Receptor (NK2R) in mice.
They identified the receptor through genetic screening that suggested it played a role in maintaining energy balance and glucose control.
The researchers found that not only did activating the receptor safely increase calorie-burning, but it also lowered appetite without any signs of nausea.
Further studies in primates with type 2 diabetes and obesity showed that activating the receptor lowered body weight and reversed their diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol.
PhD Student Frederike Sass from CBMR at the University of Copenhagen, and first author of the study, said: “One of the biggest hurdles in drug development is translation between mice and humans.
“This is why we were excited that the benefits of NK2R agonism translated to diabetic and obese nonhuman primates, which represents a big step towards clinical translation.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel