Researchers Pioneer Revolutionary Method for Treating Chronic Abdominal Pain

A research team from the University of Vienna, headed by medicinal chemist Markus Muttenthaler, has introduced a novel class of oral peptide therapeutic candidates to address chronic abdominal pain.

This innovative approach provides a safe, non-opioid alternative for managing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which impact millions globally. The findings were recently featured in the prestigious journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

The Drawbacks of Opioid-Based Treatments Highlight the Need for Safer Alternatives

Medications currently used to manage chronic abdominal pain often rely on opioids, which come with serious drawbacks. These include side effects such as addiction, nausea, constipation, and central nervous system depression, leading to fatigue and drowsiness that significantly reduce patients’ quality of life. The addiction risk, in particular, has fueled the global opioid crisis, highlighting the urgent need for safer alternatives.

The new therapeutic strategy focuses on oxytocin receptors in the gut. Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone” for its role in social bonding, also influences pain perception. When oxytocin binds to these gut receptors, it activates signals that dampen pain. This targeted approach is gut-specific, reducing the risk of systemic side effects due to its localized action.

Innovative Gut-Stable Oxytocin Compounds Offer a Convenient Oral Treatment Option

However, oxytocin itself cannot be administered orally, as it is quickly degraded in the gastrointestinal tract. Prof. Muttenthaler’s team has addressed this challenge by designing oxytocin-like compounds that are fully stable in the gut while remaining potent and selective for the oxytocin receptor.

These innovations allow the compounds to be taken orally, offering a convenient treatment option. This breakthrough is especially noteworthy because most peptide-based drugs, like insulin or GLP-1 analogs, require injections due to rapid degradation in the gut.

Backed by the European Research Council, the researchers are now focused on applying their findings in practical settings. Their aim is to develop these novel peptides into a safe and effective treatment for chronic abdominal pain.

Furthermore, the broader strategy of creating oral, stable, and gut-specific peptide therapeutics could transform the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, a field where the full potential of peptide-based therapies remains untapped.

The team has successfully patented their drug candidates and is now seeking investors and industry collaborators to help progress these therapeutic leads into clinical development.

Read the original article on: Scitech Daily

Read more: Excessive Daytime Sleepiness May Indicate Early Signs of Dementia