Glaxo Experimental Drug Shows Promise In Study

An experimental drug that imitates a health-boosting compound found in red wine may offer promise in the fight against diabetes and obesity, according to researchers.

A study showed that GlaxoSmithKline’s drug SRT1720, which targets the SIRT1 gene, was a thousand times more effective than resveratrol in activating an enzyme that helped mice to burn more energy while lowering insulin and glucose levels.

The drug also helped lower cholesterol levels and the mice lost a reasonable amount of weight compared to the mice given a placebo.

Red wine is a good source of resveratrol, as is the crust of peanuts and walnuts.

"Resveratrol makes mice live longer and stay healthier," Peter Elliott, a vice president at Sirtris Pharmaceuticals. "This molecule does the same thing, but it is 1,000 times more potent so not as much is needed."

The study found mice fed a high daily dose of the experimental drug over a period of three months didn’t gain weight while on a high-fat diet. However, lower doses of the drug were not effective.

The mice were fooled into switching their metabolisms to fat-burning mode that usually takes over when energy levels are low.

"Essentially, we are activating similar enzymes as the ones activated when people go to the gym," said Elliott.

While on the high-dose of the drug, mice also gained strength and endurance and they didn’t develop insulin resistance, a condition that precedes type 2 diabetes.

Phase I trial found the drug safe and well-tolerated. The company is planning to start a larger Phase II trial with diabetics in 2009.

The drug has been tested on mice only so far. It will be quite some time before SRT1720 will be available for humans. But there is a low-tech, good old fashion way of preventing weight gain that will also benefit the brain, heart, and rest of the body – the timeless and true combination of a healthy diet coupled with moderate exercise.

The study is published in the journal Cell Metabolism. #