Obesity Medications Linked to Reduced Risk of Multiple Sclerosis

USA: A recent study utilizing real-world data from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed a potential link between the use of obesity medications and a decreased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). 

Published in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, the research focused on medications, including those for diabetes and weight loss, to explore their impact on MS risk.

Protective Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Activation

The study highlighted medications that activate the GLP-1 receptor, known for lowering blood glucose levels, as particularly effective in reducing MS risk. The researchers found that drugs such as semaglutide and dulaglutide, which are used for both diabetes management and weight loss, showed significant protective effects against MS.

Obesity Surgery Linked to Increased Dental Caries Risk

According to the researchers, “Drug repurposing, defined as researching new indications for already approved drugs, is gaining attention as a rapid and cost-efficient strategy for developing new treatments.” They emphasized the potential of anti-diabetic drugs with weight loss-inducing effects, especially GLP-1 receptor agonists, for repurposing opportunities in MS treatment.

Among the medications analyzed, semaglutide was found to reduce the likelihood of developing MS by 76.2%, while dulaglutide reduced it by 83.5%. These findings suggest a promising avenue for further exploration into the use of these medications in MS prevention and treatment.

Mouth Cancer-Detecting Lollipops in Development

In a separate development, researchers at the University of Birmingham have secured funding for a pioneering project aimed at creating mouth cancer-detecting lollipops. These innovative lollipops could revolutionize cancer diagnosis by speeding up detection and identifying cancer at an earlier stage.

The lollipops will be made using a smart material called hydrogel, designed to capture proteins from a patient’s saliva. This hydrogel technology allows for the concentration and labeling of proteins using a fluorescent marker, which can then be observed for any cancer-related biomarkers.

University Researchers Develop Cancer-Detecting Lollipops