Promising treatment for type 2 and obesity ready for clinical trials

Indiana University  Distinguished Professor Richard Di Marchi 

Photo by Indiana University

DIABETES DIGEST – Dec. 8, 2014 – A new treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity developed by researchers at Indiana University and the German Research Center for Environmental Health is poised to begin human clinical trials.

In preclinical studies the treatment has essentially cured lab animals of obesity, diabetes and associated fatty acid abnormalities through improved blood sugar sensitivity, reduced appetite and enhanced calorie burning.

Led by professor of chemistry Richard DiMarchi and Matthias Tschöp, director of the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity at the German Research Center for Environmental Health, the researchers have developed a compound molecule that integrates three gastrointestinal hormones that lowered blood sugar levels and reduced body fat beyond all existing drugs. Their findings were published today in Nature Medicine.

The triple hormone specifically and equally targets three receptors of GLP-1, GIP and glucagon. GLP-1 and GIP predominantly contribute to enhancing insulin action and reducing blood glucose. GLP-1 also curbs appetite, while glucagon primarily increases the long-term rate at which calories are burned and improves liver function.

Human clinical trials are being managed by Roche, which owns the rights to the new compound.

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