In one of the recent studies, researchers tested a new kind of drug that is as good as bariatric surgery, as seen by the metabolic changes that occur on using this drug. This new drug may change how obesity and metabolic disorders are treated.
There are tens of drugs for weight loss and managing diabetes. However, none of them can be compared to bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is indicated for those with a BMI above 40, and it also has some metabolic effects that science has struggled to explain.
For example, bariatric surgery results in complete type 2 diabetes remission in many instances. Studies show that this impact is not solely related to weight loss. It appears that this kind of surgery promotes certain changes in the body, including endocrinal changes, resulting in incredible benefits.
Over the years, researchers have understood the importance of certain gastric peptides and their role in metabolic health. Thus, drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide work by mimicking the effects of the gut hormone called GLP-1, and they also act on other receptors like GIP. These drugs are now among the most potent drugs to manage diabetes and weight loss.
A better understanding of the effects of bariatric surgery, gastric peptides, or hormones is helping researchers develop a better understanding of obesity and metabolic disorders. Thus, they are now looking for molecules that can more closely mimic the effects of bariatric surgery.
In one of the newly reported studies, researchers think that they have finally identified such an incredible molecule. This kind of drug can help manage diabetes, reduce body weight, and result in much broader metabolic changes like increased metabolic rate, changes in adipose tissues, and other endocrinal changes.
So, what is this molecule? This new molecule is called G49 or an oxyntomodulin (OXM), which is a dual glucagon/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GCGR/GLP-1R) agonist. In early experimental studies, researchers found that it can significantly increase crosstalk between organs like the pancreas, liver, gut, and adipose tissues.
Early studies show that this drug increases the production or release of free fatty acids from the liver. What is interesting to note is that this drug could even induce changes in adipose tissue, thus helping convert harmful white adipose tissues (WAT) to brown adipose tissues (BAT). BAT is known to be easier to burn, boost metabolic rate, increase energy expenditure, and promote weight loss.
Not only that, researchers also compared OXM to bariatric surgery patients. They found that this drug resulted in metabolic changes that were quite comparable to the surgery. It means that if this drug is proven to be safe and effective in human studies, it may make bariatric surgery obsolete.
Further good news is that these results are not solely based on experimental or animal studies. Researchers have already started testing this drug in humans. During these early studies, they found that this candidate drug induces metabolic changes generally seen in bariatric surgery only.
It is quite likely that this new class of drugs that may significantly be better than semaglutide and tirzepatide may be introduced soon for managing metabolic disorders. This class of drug would be quite good for reversing diabetes, weight loss, and more. It may also be good for managing fatty liver disease, PCOS, and other metabolic disorders.
Source:
Valdecantos, M. P., Ruiz, L., Folgueira, C., Rada, P., Gomez-Santos, B., Solas, M., Hitos, A. B., Field, J., Francisco, V., Escalona-Garrido, C., Zagmutt, S., Calderon-Dominguez, M., Mera, P., Garcia-Martinez, I., Maymó-Masip, E., Grajales, D., Alen, R., Mora, A., Sáinz, N., … Valverde, Á. M. (2024). The dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist G49 mimics bariatric surgery effects by inducing metabolic rewiring and inter-organ crosstalk. Nature Communications, 15(1), 10342. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54080-w
