Researchers who are studying new methods to control blood sugar levels in type II diabetes have found that
Several years ago, University staffAlberta has discovered a potential new therapeutic target for the treatment of type II diabetes. Animal studies have shown that elevated levels of the enzyme SCOT (succinyl CoA:3-ketoacid CoA transferase) are associated with hyperglycemia.
Therefore, instead of developing completelynew molecule to inhibit SCOT, the researchers used computer simulations. The goal is to find out if there is already a drug that affects the SCOT enzyme. According to John Asher, lead author of the new study, this repurposing of drugs speeds up the clinical development process, which means they can be tested in humans and brought to market faster.
Earlier, in 2020, scientists examined the oldthe antipsychotic drug pimozide, which inhibits SCOT activity in obese mice. The drug also successfully reversed obesity-induced hyperglycemia in animals.
Now, in a new study, researchersdemonstrated that several other drugs in the same class of antipsychotics work effectively as SCOT inhibitors. We are talking about diphenylbutylpiperidines, developed back in the 1960s and they are still used today. In particular, they eliminate productive psychotic symptoms—delirium and hallucinations.
Scientists tested three drugs, and,They all appear to interact with this enzyme and improve blood sugar control by preventing muscles from burning ketones as a fuel source. “Thanks to SCOT inhibition, old antipsychotics will find a second life as an antidiabetic drug,” scientists are confident.
With drugs from the diphenylbutylpiperidine class already approved, researchers hope to move quickly to clinical trials in humans.
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