U.S. scientists say they are using a novel screening technique to identify new effects of drugs in shifting cellular energy metabolism.Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, which led the study, said drugs that target the way cells convert nutrients into energy could offer new approaches to treating a range of conditions, including heart attack and stroke.

The team said it identified several FDA-approved agents, including an over-the-counter anti-nausea drug, that can shift cellular energy metabolism processes in animals.

“Shifts in cells’ energy production pathways take place naturally during development and in response to demanding activities — like sprinting versus long-distance running,” said Dr. Vamsi Mootha, the lead investigator. “They are also known to be involved in several disease states. We wanted to identify compounds that can safely induce this shift … and investigate their therapeutic potential in animal models.”

The researchers said their findings, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies to treat several serious health problems, appear in the early online edition of the journal Nature Biotechnology.

source: upi.com