NYU Langone Health scientists have discovered a new drug compound that could help treat some of the most serious problems caused by diabetes.
In studies on mice, this compound reduced inflammation, limited cell damage, and helped organs like the heart and kidneys recover better. It even accelerated wound healing.
The drug, called RAGE406R, works by stopping two harmful proteins, RAGE and DIAPH1, from interacting.
This discovery, which made the cover of the newspaper Cellular chemical biologyfocuses on a different approach than most diabetes medications.
Instead of lowering blood sugar, RAGE406R works inside the body’s cells to stop damage before it happens. If further testing in humans is successful, this treatment could offer hope to people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes can cause long-term complications, including kidney failure, heart disease, and slow healing of cuts and wounds. These problems often arise because of molecules called AGEs, or advanced glycation end products.
These molecules form when sugars stick to proteins or fats in the body, a process that occurs more often in people with diabetes. When AGEs build up, they bind to a protein called RAGE, which triggers damage and inflammation.
A key part of this process is the protein DIAPH1, which connects to the internal part of RAGE and helps form parts of the cell’s internal structure. This interaction aggravates the effects of AGEs.
In laboratory experiments and tests on mice, the compound worked well in reducing symptoms related to diabetes.
Researchers applied it to the skin of mice with type 2 diabetes and found that it helped wounds heal faster. This is important because people with diabetes often suffer from wounds that do not heal properly and can become infected.
This research is still in its early stages, but it represents an exciting step toward better treatments for millions of people living with diabetes.
