Senior Content Writer | Updated On - Mar 16, 2024
A recent study by IIT Kanpur, led by Prof. Arun K. Shukla, provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of cholesterol-lowering drugs like Niacin. Read full details here!
New Delhi: A recent study by the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has shed light on the molecular mechanisms behind cholesterol-lowering drugs like Niacin.
Using high-class cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) technology, IIT Kanpur Professor Arun K. Shukla and his team successfully visualised the critical receptor molecule targeted by Niacin and similar medications.
The research, which offered insights into creating new cholesterol-lowering drugs with fewer side effects, has been published in the prestigious Nature Communications journal.
Professor Arun K. Shukla explained that while Niacin is commonly prescribed to reduce bad cholesterol and triglycerides and boost good cholesterol, many patients experience adverse effects such as skin redness and itching, known as flushing. This often leads patients to discontinue treatment, negatively affecting their cholesterol levels.
The study focused on Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA2), Niacin Receptor or GPR109A, which helps regulate fat-related processes and prevent artery blockages. Activation of this receptor can also cause blood vessels to widen, leading to the flushing reaction observed in some patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs like Niacin.
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Director of IIT Kanpur, Prof. S. Ganesh, emphasised the significance of this breakthrough, stating that it enhances our understanding of drug-receptor interactions and offers new possibilities for developing improved therapeutic agents. He highlighted the institute's commitment to addressing health challenges through innovative research of exceptional quality.
The study, supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), was led by Prof. Arun K Shukla. It involved a team of researchers, including Dr Manish Yadav, Ms Parishmita Sarma, Mr Jagannath Maharana, Mr Manisankar Ganguly, Ms Sudha Mishra, Ms Annu Dalal, Mr Nashrah Zaidi, Mr Sayantan Saha, Ms Gargi Mahajan, Mr Vinay Singh, Ms Saloni Sharma, and Dr Ramanuj Banerjee.
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