11/08/2025
11/08/2025

MOSCOW, Aug 11: A team of Russian scientists has unveiled a significant breakthrough that could lead to more effective treatments for severe complications associated with type 2 diabetes, including chronic non-healing wounds, kidney damage, and vision-impairing retinal disorders.
According to a press statement released Monday, the research was conducted by scientists from the Ural Federal University, the Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis, and the Volgograd State Medical University. The team has successfully developed new chemical compounds that prevent sugar molecules from binding to proteins in the body — a key process in the development of diabetes-related complications.
The novel compounds operate on two fronts: they not only lower blood glucose levels but also inhibit the formation of harmful glycated proteins, which are linked to long-term damage in diabetic patients.
One of the most promising findings is the compounds’ ability to block an enzyme responsible for converting carbohydrates into sugar. The researchers noted that the inhibition efficiency of their molecules is 35 times greater than that of acarbose, a commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drug. This remarkable potency makes them strong candidates for use in next-generation combination therapies.
Laboratory experiments demonstrated that some of the newly developed molecules were able to reduce the formation of harmful proteins by more than 70 percent — double the effectiveness of current drugs used to treat diabetic kidney damage.
The scientists explained that the compounds work by binding to a particular segment of the sugar molecule, preventing metals like iron and copper from accelerating the destructive process of protein glycation. This, in turn, reduces potential cellular damage.
They further noted that persistently high blood sugar levels can lead to the binding of glucose to essential proteins such as hemoglobin and collagen, resulting in reduced skin elasticity, weakened blood vessels, nerve damage, and chronic inflammation. In extreme cases, these effects can even contribute to the development of malignant tumors.
According to the Russian Science Foundation, these discoveries could open the door not only to improved diabetes treatments but also to potential therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and certain types of cancer.
The findings offer new hope in the global battle against type 2 diabetes, which affects millions worldwide and is a leading cause of long-term health complications.