Diabetes News April 9th 2010

Some Pancreas Cells Have Potential to Spontaneously Change into Insulin-Producing Cells
Online issue of the journal Nature reports on similar transformational prospects for cells in the pancreas (JDRF)

Adding insulin glargine vs. NPH insulin to metformin results in a more efficient postprandial ß-cell protection in individuals with type 2 diabetes
Adding basal insulin to metformin reduces postprandial ß-cell load. While GLA and NPH had comparable effects at breakfast, GLA reduces ß-cell stress more effectively at dinner, and with a trend at lunch, most probably because of its longer lasting pharmacodynamic profile (Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism)

Long-acting insulin analogs and the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes
A prospective study of 10,682 patients from 271 institutions – Despite their long-acting pharmacokinetics, the use of insulin glargine or detemir is not associated with a lower incidence of DKA compared to NPH insulin (Diabetes Care)

A review of exenatide as adjunctive therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes
This article reviews current primary literature on the clinical efficacy and safety of EXE in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and describes the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dosing and administration of EXE (Drug Design, Development and Therapy)

The Role of Adjunctive Exenatide Therapy in Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes
Adjunctive exenatide therapy reduces post-prandial hyperglycemia in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. This reduction in glucose excursion occurs despite reduction in insulin dose. We suggest that exenatide has therapeutic potential as adjunctive therapy in type 1 diabetes (Diabetes Care)

The shape of the metabolic memory of HbA1c: re-analysing the DCCT with respect to time-dependent effects
The most harmful effect of hyperglycaemia on progression of retinopathy in type 1 diabetes initially increases, but declines after roughly 5 years. The salutary effect of reducing HbA1c accelerates with time and becomes greater in clinical practice than has been previously understood (Diabetologia)

Physiotherapy In The Management Of Diabetes Mellitus: Utility And Benefits
Physiotherapy has its role not only in control of diabetes as a disease, per se, but also in the management and treatment of various painful neuropathies and arthromyopathy. (The Internet Journal of Pain, Symptom Control and Palliative Care)

Appeals court upholds dismissal of Seroquel diabetes case
Another Seroquel lawsuit victory for AstraZeneca: A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court’s dismissal of one case on summary judgment (FiercePharma)

Sanofi signs $335 million diabetes deal with CureDM
Sanofi-Aventis is continuing to grow its diabetes portfolio by signing a deal with the USA’s CureDM to get access to a novel human peptide, Pancreate, which could restore a patients’ ability to produce insulin (PharmaTimes)

Researchers use novel nanoparticle vaccine to cure type 1 diabetes in mice
Using a sophisticated nanotechnology-based “vaccine,” researchers were able to successfully cure mice with type 1 diabetes and slow the onset of the disease in mice at risk for the disease (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News)