Aberdeen University scientists discover breast cancer drug could treat obesity and diabetes
Scientists at Aberdeen University have discovered that a drug used to fight breast cancer could also be used to treat obesity and diabetes.
Scientists at Aberdeen University have discovered that a drug used to fight breast cancer could also be used to treat obesity and diabetes.
The drug, Fenrentinide, has been used in breast cancer trials for years.
The team at the University tested the drug on mice who eat a high-fat diet, and it was found to reduce obesity and type-2 diabetes in the animals.
Obesity and diabtetes present a major public health challenge, with 1 in every 25 Scots suffering from type-2 diabetes.
Dr Nimesh Mody, who led the study, said: "Fenretinide has beneficial effects that are similar to vitamin A but also have the effect of reducing the production of a harmful type of molecule called ceramide.
“We think that the combination of these unrelated effects is what makes Fenretinide a potential safe, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic treatment.
“Going forward we aim to chemically modify Fenretinide to produce two different versions; one that will retain retinoid-like properties, whilst the other will be lacking them. We will compare the properties, characteristics and effects of these two compounds to see how similar they are to the original Fenretinide. Through these experiments, we aim to find out whether the beneficial effects of Fenretinide in safely reducing obesity and type-2 diabetes is due to retinoid-like properties.
“This information will help us further our understanding of the complex connections between obesity and the development of type-2 diabetes and may help us to develop new drugs that are better at treating these medical conditions.”