KU-32 is a novel, novobiocin-based Hsp90 inhibitor that can protect against neuronal cell death.
Treating human islets with KU-32 for 24 hours shows no toxicity. With a minimum of 2-day exposure, KU-32 improves cellular viability by blocking apoptosis. Functionally, isolated human islets release more glucose-stimulated insulin when preincubate in KU-32[1]. KU-32 protects against glucose-induced death of embryonic DRG (dorsal root ganglia) neurons cultured for 3 days in vitro[2].
Diabetic BKS-db/db mice, a model for type 2 diabetes, administered KU-32 for 10 weeks do not show any significant changes in blood glucose and insulin levels, despite having greater insulin staining/beta cell in the pancreas compared to untreated BKS db/db mice[1].
[1]. Farmer K, et al. KU-32, a novel drug for diabetic neuropathy, is safe for human islets and improves in vitro insulin secretion and viability. Exp Diabetes Res. 2012;2012:671673. [2]. Urban MJ, et al. Inhibiting heat-shock protein 90 reverses sensory hypoalgesia in diabetic mice. ASN Neuro. 2010 Aug 11;2(4):e00040.