Study finds the ability of cancer drugs to lower blood sugar levels
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In a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), University of Oklahoma researchers investigated a drug’s ability to prevent fat buildup in the liver. This condition often accompanies obesity and can lead to serious fatty liver disease.
The study expands on an earlier finding by Tiangang Li, Ph.D., and a team of researchers at OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center. They discovered that a drug originally designed to fight cancerous tumors can also enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. This drug works by stopping the breakdown of a particular protein essential for all cells to react to insulin.
Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with its prevalence steadily increasing over the years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, responsible for an estimated 10 million deaths annually.
In the study, researchers studied mice and removed a gene called Cul 3 from their livers. Normally, this gene is inhibited by the drug to stop the breakdown of a specific protein. By getting rid of the gene, they could see what happens when mice become obese from eating a lot of fatty foods.
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