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Home>Diabetes> Experimental drug that suppresses appetite and lowers high blood sugar levels
Experimental drug that suppresses appetite and lowers high blood sugar levels
According to scientists, an experimental drug that suppresses the appetite and lowers high blood sugar levels could be on the market one day as a treatment for diabetes type 2. Scientists presented their findings on Exenatide, the name of the new drug, in Orlando, Florida, USA, during the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association.
Exenatide is a synthetic version of a hormone present in the saliva of Gila monsters. Exenatide reduced high blood sugar levels in over 1,000 volunteers, it also made them lose weight. The 1,000 people in the trial all had type 2 diabetes, their diabetes was not being controlled by normal drugs.
Scientists carried out two 30-week trials. Patients were given two different doses. The researchers found that the volunteers on the higher dose experienced greater lowering of blood sugar levels as well as losing, on average 6.3 pounds in weight. The patients who decided to carry on with the treatment for a whole year enjoyed sustained benefits during that time.
In another trial, scientists gave patients Exenatide to see if the pancreas could better pump out insulin after a meal (when a sugar rush means more insulin has to be produced). They found that Exenatide does improve the pancreas' ability to produce more insulin when the body needs it (after a meal).
Exenatide comes into action when the person's blood sugar levels are too high. However, when blood sugar levels are normal Exenatide does not act. This prevents hypoglycaemia from happening. Hypoglycemia is when blood sugar levels fall too low.
The Gila monster only eats about four times a year. The saliva of the Gila has a hormone, this hormone is present in Exenatide, in a man-made form. When the Gila monster eats it secretes a hormone which is similar to GLP-1 in humans. This hormone makes the pancreas produce insulin.
Exenatide should be on the market in the USA next year if the FDA approves it.
 
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