This asthma drug also treats type 2 diabetes and obesity

Breakthrough! Researchers from the University of Michigan and University of California at San Diego in the United States have discovered that a certain asthma drug may also be beneficial in treating two of the world's most widespread health problems: Type 2 diabetes and obesity…

Researchers explained that the asthma drug, known as amlexanox, which is prescribed to asthma patients in Japan, appears to allow the metabolic system to burn more energy. The result? A significant reduction in blood glucose and beneficial effects for type 2 diabetes and obesity alike. Read on for the full story…

Researchers have determined an asthma drug that’s also beneficial in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity…

In addition to finding that amlexanox frees the metabolic system to burn more energy and, in turn, cause a drop in blood glucose, the researchers learned that a subset of patients have improved insulin sensitivity – a major indicator of type 2 diabetes – and fatty liver disease. This response was most prominent among patients who started the clinical trial with higher levels of inflammation in their fat tissue than others, the researchers wrote.
 
“We’re beginning to understand the role this form of internal inflammation plays in the development of chronic diseases like diabetes,” Elif Oral, the study’s lead author and director of the MEND Obesity and Metabolic Disorder Program at Michigan Medicine, said.
 
“Ultimately we may be able to personalise therapy based on the degree of inflammation present at baseline – which is a new concept,” Oral added.

 

Past studies have found that amlexanox can improve type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease in obese mice

Amlexanox is praised for its ability to inhibit two enzymes – IKKɛ and TBK1. Previous research has found that these two enzymes are induced in obese mice.
 
The researchers explained that obese mice who were given the inhibitor lost weight, while their insulin sensitivity increased, improving their type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
 
The researchers concluded that this discovery isn’t yet ready for the clinic, but said that they’re encouraged by it uncovering an inflammatory link between obesity and type 2 diabetes. 

Tags: type 2 diabetes