Canadian endocrinologist Daniel J. Drucker — a diabetes treatment pioneer whose work paved the way for Ozempic — is sharing what’s next for this class of obesity-fighting drugs , which mimic the GLP-1 hormone to make people feel full and eat less. These meds have already shown promise in reducing heart and kidney diseases .
“The initial chapter of GLP-1 innovation focused on [blood sugar] control, and later, weight loss,” Drucker writes in Friday’s issue of Science magazine . “Subsequent waves seem likely to improve health outcomes in people with a range of chronic disorders.”
Ozempic can cause weight loss and treat Type 2 diabetes, but its potential is so much more. millaf – stock.adobe.com Calming inflammation
Chronic inflammation — when your immune system is activated long after an injury or threat of illness has passed — has been linked to diabetes, heart disease and cancer, among other serious conditions.
Drucker says GLP-1 drugs indirectly reduce inflammation through weight loss, since high blood sugar and excess body fat can cause inflammation.
Neuroinflammation — inflammation of the nervous tissue — is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, which are brain disorders characterized by cognitive decline.
Semaglutide — the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic — is being tested to see if it has a positive effect on early Alzheimer’s disease. Preliminary results could come next year.
As for Parkinson’s disease , Drucker reports that a large Phase 3 trial of the GLP-1 drug exenatide is underway.
“Several clinical trials have examined the therapeutic potential of exenatide in people with Parkinson’s disease, with mixed results,” Drucker wrote in Science.
About a million Americans have Parkinson’s disease — patients may experience slow movement, tremors, stiffness and difficulty walking.
A large Phase 3 trial of the GLP-1 drug exenatide is being tested to see its effect on Parkinson’s disease. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – stock.adobe.com Boosting mental health
Canadian endocrinologist Daniel J. Drucker is a diabetes treatment pioneer whose work paved the way for Ozempic. Royal Society
Drucker predicts the next decade of GLP-1 research “may bring even greater progress.”
“Dozens of new molecules are being interrogated in the clinic, with some likely to target new mechanisms and achieve greater benefits in multiple disorders beyond simply more effective [blood sugar] control and weight loss,” he penned.
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