Diabetes Patients Taking GLP-1 Based Medication Has Reduced Risk of Heart Failure

GLP-1 and Diabetes
Credit:Wikipedia

A study shows that diabetes patients taking a class of medication targeting the GLP-1 hormone has a reduced risk of heart disease.

Diabetes is one of the most serious health problems around. In the next 20 years, diabetes is expected to affect nearly 552 million people globally.

There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is a commonly hereditary condition where the immune system starts to attack insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin is needed by the body to regulate the blood sugar levels in the bloodstream.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common of the two types. It accounts for 95% of cases of diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes, there is not enough insulin produced by the body or that the insulin produced is being rejected by the cells.

The growth of cases of Type 2 diabetes is generally associated with the rise of obesity. Every 10 seconds, 3 people will be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Every 10 seconds, 1 person will die from it due to complications arising from it.

Heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke are the top diabetes related complications. There is no cure for diabetes. The disease can only be managed through glucose monitoring, insulin injections and other medications that help regulate blood sugar levels.

One medication used by diabetes patients to manage diabetes are DPP-4 inhibitors. DPP-4 inhibitors prevent DPP-4 (Dipeptidyl peptidase-4) from breaking down a hormone called GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1).

GLP-1 is a hormone released from the gut that travels to the pancreas and allows the increased production of insulin when glucose levels starts rising.

GLP-1 also holds back the production of a hormone called Glucagon. Glucagon encourages the liver to convert glucose reserves into active glucose. By holding back the production of glucagon, the levels of glucose in the bloodstream are minimized.

GLP-1 does not live long as DPP-4 breaks down the hormone. By inhibiting DPP-4, GLP-1 hormones lasts longer and insulin production and glucagon reduction continues.

Faster Process In Molecular Pharmacological Drug Design Discovered

Scientists at Yale University have discovered a faster and efficient way of designing and assembling drug compounds that can lead to more efficient drug discovery and medical treatment.

Molecular biology focuses on the molecular basis of biological activity; the physiological, chemical, and metabolic processes. It involves the knowledge of how biological molecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids interact with each other and other biomolecules in the body.

Because molecular biology focuses on the understanding of cell biology and the bio-chemical interactions involved with it at the molecular level, the study is a prime factor in pharmacology. Through the molecular analysis and study of biomolecules and biochemical processes, pharmacologists are able to design chemicals that acts on a specific signal or metabolic process on a molecular level. The reaction or interaction is controlled, focused, and precise.

This leads to better drugs and medication that efficiently and safely addresses a condition with as little or no adverse effects on the individual.