The canonical G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) cannabinoid CB1 (CB1R) and CB2 (CB2R) receptors are the most studied in the endocannabinoid system. CB1R is widely distributed throughout the CNS, but is also present on peripheral tissues.
The signaling of ephrin B (EphB) has been shown to be involved in the progression of metabolic disorders, among others. In this context, researchers from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center have developed a pan-EphB inhibitor – STA-013 – for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
The search continues for effective treatments against metabolic syndrome and its related complication, diabetes. Current treatments fail in many patients to provide long-term glycemic control or lead to weight loss.
The identification of non-toxic targets for the treatment of metabolic disorders would allow the development of therapies for the harmful effects of impaired metabolism of reactive aldehydes, among others, which is challenging for drug development due to short half-life and lack of tissue specificity.
Researchers from Guandong Pharmaceutical University reported on the synthesis and preclinical characterization of a series of novel long-acting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pan-agonists targeting PPARα, PPARδ, and PPARγ with lipid-regulating effects. PPARs are involved in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, thus targeting the PPARs system is a promising strategy for the management of metabolic syndrome.
M-43 is a recombinant analogue of fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) that has been previously shown to bind the insulin receptor (InsR), activate insulin-like cellular signaling and reduce insulin resistance. Researchers from Celon Pharma SP have recently presented results on the efficacy of the candidate as assessed in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats.
A deal worth $745 million for two small-molecule programs, with a lucrative option to expand into other modalities, brings together the diabetes and metabolic disease expertise of Novo Nordisk A/S with an artificial intelligence technology platform from Dewpoint Therapeutics Inc. Boston-based Dewpoint signed on with Bagsvaerd, Denmark-based Novo Nordisk to use the former’s biomolecular condensates discovery engine to find new drugs for diabetic complications. The drugs will target condensates that contribute to the mechanisms of insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance, a key driver of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers from National Cheng Kung University and Taipei Medical University reported the discovery and biological evaluation of novel activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) inducers as potential candidates for the management of metabolic syndrome.
Clearmind Medicine Inc. has released promising preclinical results demonstrating efficacy of its psychedelic-derived drug candidate MEAI for treating obesity and metabolic syndrome.
