Metabolic Solutions works with on-off switch for fat cells

In people, brown fat burns calories and white fat stores calories. People lose brown fat cells as they age. As part of its search for new therapies to treat Type 2 diabetes, Metabolic Solutions has stimulated progenitor cells to become brown-like fat cells.

The findings suggest there may be a way to minimize weight gain that comes with certain insulin sensitizers currently on the market. The findings were recently presented to the 47th European Association for the Study of Diabetes at its annual meeting in Lisbon, Portugal.

Metabolic Solutions is researching the therapeutic potential of MSDC-0160 and MSDC-0602. The compounds can find the mitochondrial molecular target that functions as a “switch” connecting mitochondrial metabolism to important cell functions. Previous studies have shown each of these compounds results in improved insulin action, preservation of beta cell function, and generation of brown fat.

The company says results of its research in mice demonstrate novel insulin sensitizers that increase brown fat could have important implications for the development of new therapies to treat type 2 diabetes.

“Given the novel mechanism of action of our compounds, we expect to see weight control over longer duration treatments with these new clinical candidates as a result of the ‘browning’ of adipose or fat stores,” said Jerry Colca, Ph.D., president and Chief Scientific Officer of MSDC.

Metabolic Solutions Development Company is a Kalamazoo-based drug discovery and development company investigating novel molecular targets and new therapies for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The company has raised more than $55 million to support development of its lead compounds MSDC-0160 and MSDC-0602.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Jerry Colca,  Metabolic Solutions