Biodegradable hollow nanoscavengers can reverse insulin resistance for treating type 2 diabetes
China: A recent study published in ACS Nano found that targeting certain highly reactive molecules in the liver can reverse insulin resistance in human liver cells and diabetic mice. The findings provide a pathway toward a more long-lasting treatment.
Although diabetes is a common condition, no cure exists yet. Current therapies can manage blood sugar levels but do not address insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is no longer sensitive to insulin, which regulates blood sugar. Currently, no cure exists, and available treatments focus on managing symptoms and blood sugar levels. Some research has suggested that insulin resistance could be caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are highly unstable, oxygen-based molecules primarily produced by the mitochondria or the “powerhouses of the cell.”
A class of drugs known as mitochondrial uncouplers could help inhibit ROS production at its source rather than merely cleaning up what’s already been made, as conventional, antioxidant-based treatments do. Ultrasmall platinum nanoparticles are another highly efficient ROS scavenger, though their small size causes them to be cleared from the liver too quickly. But, combining these two strategies into an all-in-one system could create a highly effective and long-lasting treatment platform. So, Jingjing Yang, Shaochun Tang, Yujun Song and colleagues wanted to design such a system using biodegradable “nano scavengers” that could potentially restore insulin sensitivity and treat type 2 diabetes.
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