A recent study published in the journal Diabetes highlighted the efficacy of a novel drug called PATAS that might lead to a new generation of treatments for type 2 diabetes.

By restoring glucose absorption in these cells, PATAS targets adipocytes specifically and restores the metabolic physiology of adipose tissue. Fat cells take up 10% of the blood′s glucose to regulate insulin resistance and starts lipogenesis, a process that is particularly advantageous for adipose tissue.

Using PATAS as subcutaneous injections once-weekly in abdominal fat in diabetic mouse models showed that the adipocytes which no longer had access to glucose were once more able to absorb it and then metabolize it to synthesize and secrete beneficial lipids throughout the body. Additionally, at the same time, it could also absorb very toxic lipids such as non-esterified fatty acids. 

The results were evident in diabetic animal models with a significant improvement in insulin resistance and glucose tolerance. In addition, PATAS reduced hepatic fibrosis by 40% and steatosis by 60% in all studied diabetic animal models after just one month of treatment at a dose of 2 mg/kg/week.

This study is the first of its kind to treat Diabetes using a new antidiabetic agent that could restore the physiology of adipose tissue and be well tolerated by patients. The detailed data is still not published, and the invention is patented. Medscape - Aug 09, 2022.