Yet, when the insulin resistant cells were treated with molidustat, the researchers saw an increased level of HIF protein and activation of its target genes.
Next, the research team then investigated the impact of molidustat on heart function.
They did this by exposing the hearts from rats, who did and did not have diabetes, to low levels of oxygen.
When the hearts were treated with molidustat, the heart function recovered at the same strength as the non-diabetic hearts.