Microbio (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. has synthesized glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1R) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Scientists have identified proteins that changed in response to exercise specifically in trial participants whose blood sugar control improved after taking up an exercise regimen. Based on serum protein analysis, the investigators also developed a machine-learning algorithm that could predict whether an individual’s metabolic sensitivity would be improved by exercise.
Obesity is an important cause of death worldwide, and it is defined as a body mass index >30 kg/m2. Genome-wide association studies have been successful at identifying genomic loci tied to obesity.
Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with hepatosteatosis and the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with the pathogenesis of NAFLD being complex and involving the crosstalk between the liver and white adipose tissue (WAT).
Treatment with the fusion protein QL-1005 reduced caloric intake and body weight in mice and primates. In obese animals, it also improved insulin, fasting glucose and triglyceride levels. The design belongs to the Chinese biopharmaceutical company Beijing QL Biopharmaceutical, which will begin clinical trials in a year.
Novo Nordisk A/S has identified novel fatty acid modified urocortin 2 derivatives acting as CRF2 receptor agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Insulin secretion by pancreatic β cells is a fundamental component of glucose homeostasis. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A3 (ALDH1A3) is a molecule involved in pancreatic β-cell dedifferentiation, leading to cell failure, and a marker of type 2 diabetes progression.
Ferlins are a family of single transmembrane proteins with multiple calcium ion (Ca2+) binding C2 domains involved in Ca2+-mediated membrane fusion. Among other processes, ferlins participate in the acrosome reaction occurring before spermatozoa fuse with eggs. Mutations in ferlins have been shown to cause male infertility in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster.
Researchers from South China University of Technology and Chengde Medical University presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of novel xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) inhibitors as potential uric acid-lowering agents.