Leflunomide May Sensitize the Insulin Receptor and Have an Anti-Glycemic Effect Save

An animal model study in the Journal of Endocrinololgy reports the potential use of leflunomide in the control of hyperglycemia in male mice. (Citation source https://buff.ly/2te3GpP)

Hyperactivation (serine/threonine kinase that phosphorylates the insulin receptor substrate-1) of S6K1 due to overnutrition leads to hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes in mice.

Investigators have shown that A77 1726 (active metabolite of leflunomide) is an inhibitor of S6K1 and tested if leflunomide can control hyperglycemia and sensitize the insulin receptor.

They tested leflunomide on ob/ob and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetes mice and found leflunomide normalized blood glucose levels and overcame insulin resistance ob/ob and HFD-fed mice but had no effect on mice fed a normal chow diet (NCD).

They believe  that leflunomide sensitizes the insulin receptor by inhibiting S6K1 activity and could be potentially useful for treating patients with both RA and diabetes.