A new study by researchers from University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry has highlighted that many diabetes drugs may promote spike in blood sugar level.

Researchers evaluated that a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists can activate glucagon, a hormone that is produced by the alpha cells of pancreas, which elevates glucose concentration in blood. GLP-1 agonists are given to patient when diabetic condition of a patient cannot be controlled through oral anti-diabetic drugs and lifestyle changes.

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The drugs that may promote spike in glucose are exenatide (Byetta, made by Eli Lilly) and liraglutide (Victoza, manufactured by Novo Nordisk).

GLP-1 binds to specific receptor sites in cells. GLP-1 agonists such as are exenatide and liraglutide are designed to imitate the binding effect of GLP-1 and bind to these receptors in the same way.

The findings of the study indicate the possibility that GLP-1 agonists might bind to receptor for glucagon instead of receptor cells and may lead to spike in glucose levels.

According to Newsmax, Graham Ladds, from St John's College, University of Cambridge shares, "What we have shown is that we need a more complete understanding of how anti-diabetic drugs interact with receptors in different parts of our bodies."

He added that GLP-1 agonists benefit many Type 2 diabetes patients and their findings in no way outranks the benefits; however, a complete research on this is needed to understand the potential impact of GLP-1 agonists.

Dr. Ladds suggested that there is a critical need to take into account the possibility of glucagon receptors being activated by anti-diabetic treatments when designing new therapeutics.

On an interview for Nursing Times.net, a spokesman for Novo Nordisk said, "GLP-1 receptor agonists have been used to treat diabetes for almost a decade. GLP-1 receptor agonists continue to be investigated in clinical trials with careful safety monitoring by manufacturers and regulatory authorities"

She added, "While this paper looks to be very interesting basic research, the particular laboratory tests employing yeast is somewhat unusual. Numerous other publications on glucagon and GLP-1 do not support its findings, and therefore it is difficult if not impossible to extrapolate to clinical impact."

TagsDiabetes Medicine, Anti-Diabetic Therapy, Type 2 diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes Treatment, Efficacy of Anti-Diabetic Therapies