A new approach to lowering blood sugar and boosting fat burning—without decreasing appetite or muscle mass—shows promise for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. This comes from a study released in Cell by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University.
The treatment, administered in tablet form, operates quite differently from established GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, which are delivered via injection. While GLP-1 drugs impact hunger by changing communication pathways between the gut and brain, they can lead to side effects such as loss of appetite, reduced muscle mass, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Enhancing Muscle Metabolism Instead of Appetite
The new compound focuses on increasing metabolic activity directly in skeletal muscle, rather than affecting hunger signals. In animal trials, it showed improvements in blood sugar levels and body composition, sidestepping the typical downsides of current GLP-1 therapies.
A phase I clinical trial with 48 healthy participants and 25 individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes suggests that the treatment is well tolerated in humans.
“Our findings hint at a future where we can enhance metabolic health without compromising muscle mass. Given the significance of muscles in conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity—and their link to life expectancy—this is vital,” explains Tore Bengtsson, a professor at the Department of Molecular Bioscience, Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University.
A Novel β2 Agonist Designed with Safety in Mind
The active ingredient is derived from a lab-created molecule, a type of β2 agonist. This molecule activates important signaling pathways innovatively, aiding muscle function while avoiding common heart-related issues linked to traditional β2 agonists.
“This treatment signifies a completely new direction and could be incredibly beneficial for patients facing type 2 diabetes and obesity. Our compound seems to facilitate healthy weight loss, and importantly, it doesn’t require injections,” notes Shane C. Wright, an assistant professor at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Karolinska Institutet.
Potential for Stand-Alone or Combination Therapy
Since this new drug works through a different mechanism than GLP-1 medications, it may function effectively on its own, or in combination with GLP-1 drugs.
“This versatility makes it valuable, whether used alone or alongside GLP-1 treatments,” adds Wright.
Future Steps and Research Collaboration
The next phase involves a larger phase II clinical trial, initiated by Atrogi AB, the company responsible for the drug’s development. This upcoming study will investigate whether the benefits noted in preliminary research also apply to individuals with type 2 diabetes or obesity.
This effort is a collaboration that includes Professor Volker M. Lauschke and teams from several institutions like Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, Uppsala University, the University of Copenhagen, Monash University, and the University of Queensland. Funding has come from various organizations, including the Swedish Research Council and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Some of the authors are affiliated with Atrogi AB, which funded the clinical trial. Tore Bengtsson is the founder and chief scientific officer of Atrogi AB and has filed patents related to the substances studied. Further details on company affiliations are available in the full publication.
