New Drug to Help Metabolic Syndrome: Study

An enzyme that works via intracellular signaling may be part of a crucial role in building symptoms of metabolic syndrome. At this point, researchers are working on a U of U spinoff company to develop the a new drug so that it can better treat certain health issues related to the problem. 

Just within the next couple years, they said they hope to even begin clinical trials on humans.

"The approved drug therapies do not treat or prevent this condition in most people," said Jared Rutter, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and senior author of a study, via a press release. "But given the results of our research with mouse and rat models, we are hopeful that metabolic syndrome can be effectively treated with drug therapy someday soon."

Metabolic syndrome is a disorder that increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Though the syndrome is relatively under-researched, it's estimated that up to 25 percent of adults are affected by the problem. According to public health officials, the syndrome has even reached an epidemic in many areas.

This problem can consist of issues with abnormal cholesterol readings, high blood sugar levels and obesity.

"We hope that this is an example where science leads us not only to a better understanding of how the body works, but also to the discovery of approaches that we can use to treat human disease," Rutter added in the press release.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Cell Reports.