Scientists around the world are seeking to develop more effective and sustainable alternatives for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, given the increasing reliance on drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovi.
No complications... A new method that makes the body produce "natural ozambique"
In this context, research is moving towards radical solutions based on gene-editing technologies, with the aim of bringing about permanent changes within the body that reduce the need for repeated drug treatment.
A recent study revealed that a one-time gene modification could allow the body to produce natural "Ozembic," potentially changing the way diabetes and obesity are treated.
In the study, a team of researchers in Japan used CRISPR technology, known for gene editing, which is commonly used in cancer treatment. Using this technology, the team inserted a gene into mouse liver cells to continuously produce exenatide, the active ingredient in the drug Byta, which treats type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Exenatide shares its mechanism of action with drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovi, which are used to control blood sugar levels.
Natural alternatives to "Ozempic" promote digestion and reduce appetite
After just one treatment, the researchers were able to induce genetically modified mice to produce exenatide autonomously for up to six months. Subsequently, these mice were subjected to a high-calorie diet designed to induce obesity and prediabetes, a precursor to type 2 diabetes.
The genetically modified mice, compared to the unmodified ones, showed a decrease in food consumption and 34% less weight gain. They also responded better to insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.
Although the gene editing did not produce any noticeable side effects, the mice that received the treatment were less prone to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and gastric paralysis, which are common symptoms in people who take drugs like Ozempic.
Although the impact of these results on humans remains uncertain, researchers believe this experiment represents an important step towards developing permanent treatments for complex diseases such as diabetes and obesity, while reducing reliance on periodic medications.
Currently, people taking drugs like Ozempic have to take regular doses to maintain blood sugar levels, which could become unnecessary if gene therapy is approved.
In this context, the study authors, from Osaka University, wrote: "This study suggests that genome editing could be an innovative solution for complex diseases, reducing the need for frequent medication."
The team plans to conduct further studies to test the effectiveness of this treatment in treating conditions such as diabetes and chronic inflammation, in a move that could pave the way for the development of safer and more effective alternatives to injectable drugs.
The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
