Breakthrough New drug for overweight and diabetes soon in the trade?

Balances the blood sugar level and helps to lose weight

Is this the breakthrough in therapy against the common diseases of diabetes and obesity? The German scientists who have successfully tested the new drug on humans for the first time speak of excellent effectiveness. The new potent remedy not only lowers blood sugar levels but also body weight, providing millions of people a new treatment alternative.

A team of researchers from Leipzig University Medical Center and its partners have tested a new drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity in a clinical study in humans. According to the results, the preparation shows excellent efficacy. The medicine not only lowers the blood sugar level, but also inhibits the appetite and helps to lose weight. The study results were recently published in the journal "The Lancet".

Many people with diabetes are gaining insulin therapy. A new and successfully tested drug is now to lower the blood sugar level and at the same time inhibit the appetite. As a result, an effect against diabetes and obesity can be achieved. (Image: dmitrimaruta / fotolia.com)

Two old acquaintances: diabetes and overweight

According to the researchers, in addition to genetic causes overweight and obesity are considered the main cause of type 2 diabetes. "When patients have to inject insulin for illness or receive insulin-increasing drugs, most of them continue to grow," explains Professor Dr. Michael Stumvoll, study director and professor of endocrinology at the University of Leipzig in a press release on the study results.

Obesity causes diabetes and vice versa

"We send patients into a vicious circle," says the expert. If sufferers have diabetes because they are overweight, they will be given medications that increase them even more. To break this vicious circle, the team developed a drug that lowers blood sugar levels without promoting obesity. The result is so good that it can be used to treat obesity without diabetes.

A possible magic agent?

The scientists emphasize the peculiarity of the drug, because it not only regulates blood sugar, but also has a filling effect. Subjects in the study showed improved blood glucose levels while still losing weight. According to the study, a type of double hormone is responsible for the groundbreaking effectiveness. The injected protein messenger stimulates so-called glucagon receptors, which control the blood sugar. At the same time, so-called GLP1 receptors are stimulated, which has a beneficial effect on the metabolism in a number of ways.

Also suitable for obesity

Among other things, the researchers report that the metabolic effects increase satiety in the brain. Thus, the drug also has great potential for use against obesity, regardless of the presence of diabetes. The drug is similar to a body's own hormone called oxyntomodulin. This is one of the satiating intestinal hormones, but have no blood sugar effect, so the experts.

Phase II completed successfully

"The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of the new preparation," explains Stumvoll. This type of study is called a Phase II study, in which an active substance is first tested on patients. The aim of this phase is to determine the best dosage and to observe possible side effects.

Course of the study

The effectiveness of 112 participants was checked. A control group unknowingly received a placebo remedy. During the test phase, the subjects were hospitalized and closely monitored. In addition to monitoring various parameters such as blood sugar, heart rate, blood pressure, and weight, stress tests were also conducted, in which the participants were served certain meals and the hormonal response was observed.

Results of the study

"In this stress test, we found that the blood sugar with the new drug is not as high as in the placebo group," explains the professor. The insulin reacts faster to combat the increased mealtime blood sugar. Compared to the placebo group, all subjects were able to improve their blood sugar levels, including the patients who received the lowest dose. Possible side effects were mild nausea and an increased heart rate.

When will the drug be available?

"Prior to the approval of the drug, it is now important to balance between optimal effects and minimal side effects," says Stumvoll. He expected but with an early market approval within the next few years.

The success of the study also strengthens basic research

After the successful study, the Leipzig researchers have around Professor. Michael Stumvoll merged with the basic researchers in Munich and founded a new institute. The Leipzig-based Helmholtz Institute for Metabolism, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) is to transfer further drug candidates from basic research to clinical applications in similar studies in the coming years. (Vb)