Investigational Insulin-sensitizing drug

SAN FRANCISCO, June 12 -- An investigational insulin-sensitizing drug for type 2 diabetes seemed in a small study to have the efficacy of thiazolidinedione agents with less potential for side effects, a researcher said here.After four weeks of treatment with the oral drug, called INT131, mean fasting plasma glucose declined by 22 mg/dL with 1-mg daily doses and by 46 mg/dL with 10-mg doses, both significant compared with placebo (P<0.01), reported Alex DePaoli, M.D., of InteKrin Therapeutics in Los Altos, Calif., the drug-maker, at the American Diabetes Association meeting.Moreover, there was a strong correlation in the phase IIa 69-patient study between blood levels of the drug and increases in adiponectin secretion, Dr. DePaoli said, suggesting potential weight loss.