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VA researchers develop potential new diabetes drug

VA Research News Briefs

VA researchers develop potential new diabetes drugPhoto: ©iStock/simpson33

(06/18/2025) VA researchers in Tampa, Florida, created a compound with potential as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Previous work by the research team showed expression of a gene called GAS5 is decreased in people with diabetes, and low GAS5 levels impair glucose uptake and inhibit insulin signaling. The researchers developed a molecular compound, NPC86, that stabilizes GAS5 expression. In mouse models of diabetes, NPC86 increased GAS5 levels and improved insulin regulation without any adverse effects on the mice. The results show NPC86 can improve metabolic balance, meaning it could be developed into a new medication to treat diabetes. (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Apr. 14, 2025)



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