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Kisspeptin viable treatment option in type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction

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The hormone kisspeptin could be used in treating conditions beyond reproductive disorders, including addressing metabolic dysfunction, particularly in men with high glucose and low testosterone levels, according to data presented at the Society for Endocrinology BES annual meeting.

Chioma Izzi-Engbeaya, BSc, MBBS, MRCP, a clinical research fellow in the section of endocrinology and investigative medicine in the division of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism in the department of medicine at Imperial College London, and colleagues observed that kisspeptin can increase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in adult men. According to Izzi-Engbeaya, this is “the first reported interventional in vivo study in humans which has investigated the effect of kisspeptin on insulin secretion.”

The researchers used a sample of 15 men (mean age, 25 years; BMI, 22.3 kg/m²) to conduct the study. During the administration of kisspeptin and vehicle infusion, IV glucose tolerance tests were conducted in the participants; blood samples were taken before and after infusion. The researchers also tested in vitro effects of kisspeptin on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion with the use of six human islet cells and a human pancreatic beta-cell line.

Results from the study showed that kisspeptin infusion increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion vs. vehicle infusion while also influencing insulin secretion by means of changes in serum metabolites. The researchers observed dose-dependent increases in insulin secretion in the in vitro analysis

“Kisspeptin-based treatments are being developed for the treatment of reproductive disorders, and kisspeptin receptors are present in a variety of tissues, therefore it is very reassuring that this study demonstrates a beneficial effect of kisspeptin on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion,” Izzi-Engbeaya told Endocrine Today. “Since kisspeptin increases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, it may potentially be used as a treatment for diabetes, and as it only potentiates insulin secretion when glucose levels are high, it is unlikely to cause hypoglycemia. Further studies are required to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of kisspeptin.” – by Phil Neuffer

Reference:

Izzi Engbeaya C, et al. OC3.1. Presented at: Society for Endocrinology BES Annual Meeting; Nov. 19-21, 2018; Glasgow, U.K.

Disclosure: Izzi-Engbeaya reports no relevant financial disclosures.