Tag

Rap1

All articles tagged with #rap1

science1 month ago•7 min saved

New Brain Mechanism Reveals How Metformin Lowers Blood Sugar

Scientists discovered that metformin lowers blood sugar not only via the liver and gut but also by acting in the brain. In mice, metformin inhibits Rap1 in the ventromedial hypothalamus, activating SF1 neurons and reducing glucose; surprisingly small brain doses produced effects, and removing Rap1 from VMH abolished metformin’s action, illustrating a distinct brain pathway that could enable lower-dose, brain-targeted diabetes therapies in the future.

via SciTechDaily|

#brain #diabetes #hypothalamus

science2 months ago•6 min saved

Metformin’s brain pathway unlocked: Rap1 in the hypothalamus drives glucose control

Scientists reveal metformin lowers blood sugar by acting in the brain, specifically by suppressing Rap1 in the ventromedial hypothalamus and activating SF1 neurons, with brain effects at far lower drug levels than previously thought, opening possibilities for brain-targeted diabetes therapies and potential brain-health benefits.

via ScienceDaily|

#brain #glucose #hypothalamus

science2 months ago•6 min saved

Metformin's Brain Pathway Unveiled, Paving Way for Next-Gen Diabetes Treatments

New research shows metformin can act in the brain, reaching the ventromedial hypothalamus and inhibiting Rap1 signaling in SF1 neurons to help regulate glucose in mice, a mechanism distinct from its liver and gut effects. When Rap1 was removed, metformin no longer helped diabetes-like symptoms, suggesting a brain pathway. This could lead to brain-targeted diabetes therapies and broaden metformin’s uses, though human studies are needed and side effects like GI distress and kidney risk remain concerns; the drug is also linked to aging benefits.

via ScienceAlert|

#brain #metformin #rap1

health2 months ago•4 min saved

Old Diabetes Drug Metformin Shows Brain-Led Control of Metabolism

New preclinical work links metformin’s metabolic effects to the brain, showing it acts in the hypothalamus via the Rap1 pathway to enhance central insulin signaling and reduce liver glucose production in mice. This brain-first mechanism could reshape diabetes and obesity therapies, informing drug combinations and trial endpoints, but human validation is needed and questions remain about dosing, blood–brain barrier crossing, and interactions with AMPK.

via Iowa Park Leader|

#brain-metabolism #diabetes #health

science8 months ago•3 min saved

Metformin's Hidden Brain Pathway Discovered After Six Decades

Researchers have discovered that metformin, a common diabetes drug, also acts in the brain, specifically in the ventromedial hypothalamus, by turning off the protein Rap1, which is essential for its blood sugar-lowering effects. This finding suggests new avenues for more targeted diabetes treatments and highlights the brain's role in metformin's mechanism of action.

via ScienceDaily|

#brain-pathway #diabetes #hypothalamus