Treat diabetes with ... lizard saliva

A new drug made from the saliva of the giant Arizona lizard is being used in the US, Australia and India. Test results show that the drug helps control both blood sugar and body weight within 30 weeks.

The drug is called Byetta, a synthetic version of Exendin-4 - a hormone in the salivary glands of Gila Monster, a giant, carnivorous lizard, in the desert of Arizona, USA.

The drug was developed after American scientists discovered that Exendin-4 is a special compound capable of slowing the body's metabolism to such an extent that Gila Monster only needs to eat four times a year. !

According to Dr. Anoop Misra, director of the Diabetes and Metabolism Department of Fortis Hospital in India, 'this new drug stimulates the pancreas to increase insulin production and act on the intestine to reduce peristalsis of the intestine, from That limits the absorption of glucose and reduces hunger feeling '.

Giant lizard Gila Monster in Arizona desert.In its salivary glands a compound is able to slow down metabolic processes to the point that it only needs to eat 4 times in 1 year!(Photo: Daily Mail)

According to the team, the drug is able to help the body of the patient produce enough insulin needed to control blood sugar endangered.

Specifically, Exendin-4 is able to stimulate the body to produce insulin when blood sugar levels rise after full meals . This substance has the same function as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone in human digestive tract, but has a longer effect.

He explained: 'By having the same effect as GLP-1, Byetta improves the control of blood sugar by simulating the activity of the incretin hormone, and slowing the movement of food from the stomach into the intestine. young As a result, people who take this medicine feel fuller and longer, so they will eat less. '

Recent studies and trials have shown that the drug has helped control both blood sugar and body weight within 30 weeks.

In India, after a period of testing, Byetta has been approved for use by the Indian Drug Administration since October 6, 2007.

The Australian Medicines Administration has also approved the use of this drug for diabetics who have not been successfully treated with other drugs. Medical experts welcome this new drug in combination with traditional diabetes medications.

According to Professor Paul Zimmet, director of the International Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia, the drug has shown its 'very good ' use in the United States, where it has been used for the past 18 months.

Professor Zimmet said: 'Most diabetics are using drugs that have existed for the past 50 years, so in such a context, the birth of this therapy is very exciting'.

According to Dr. Misra, drugs from this lizard saliva should be used in combination with current diabetes medications such as Metformin and Sulfonylurea. He explained: 'When using Byetta, patients feel less hungry and of course eat less, thereby reducing body weight to compensate for weight gain from the use of sulfonylurea and insulin-enhancing drugs'.

Quang Thinh
According to Sky News, The Age, Times of India, Vietnamnet