Sulfathiazole treats type 2 diabetes by restoring metabolism through activating CYP19A1

Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj. 2023 Mar;1867(3):130303. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130303. Epub 2023 Jan 7.

Abstract

Globally, diabetes mellitus has been a major epidemic bringing metabolic and endocrine disorders. Currently, 1 in 11 adults suffers from diabetes mellitus, among the patients >90% contract type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, it is urgent to develop new drugs that effectively prevent and treat type 2 diabetes through new targets. With high-throughput screening, we found that sulfathiazole decreased the blood glucose and improved glucose metabolism in T2DM mice. Notably, we discovered that sulfathiazole treated T2DM by activating CYP19A1 protein to synthesize estrogen. Collectively, sulfathiazole along with CYP19A1 target bring new promise for the better therapy of T2DM.

Keywords: CYP19A1; Estrogen; Insulin resistance; Sulfathiazole; Type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aromatase* / drug effects
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Estrogens
  • Mice
  • Sulfathiazoles* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Estrogens
  • Sulfathiazoles
  • Cyp19a1 protein, mouse
  • Aromatase