Diabetes News December 17th 2010

Survey of Insulin Site Rotation in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Many youth with T1DM may not adhere to an adequate site rotation plan. Regular assessment of insulin sites and counseling regarding adequate site rotation is needed when managing diabetes in youth. Relaxation and distraction may help to reduce youths’ fear of pain when rotating to new insulin sites (Journal of Pediatric Health Care)

Recreational drug abuse in patients hospitalized for diabetic ketosis or diabetic ketoacidosis
The frequency of recent drug misuse in patients presenting with DK or DKA was high. Substance abuse screening was frequently neglected. History taking in this context should routinely include questions on substance abuse, and toxicology screening may be worthwhile, particularly in those with the history of frequent readmissions (Diabetologia)

Controversies in the cardiovascular management of type 2 diabetes
Looking to the future, incretin mimetics may come to the fore as prime agents because they can reduce weight and glycaemia with little significant hypoglycaemia, thereby making tight glucose control easier to achieve (Heart)

Diabetes in pregnancy
Its impact on Australian women and their babies (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)

Plasma Metabolomic Profiles Reflective of Glucose Homeostasis in Non-Diabetic and Type 2 Diabetic Obese African-American Women
It is hypothesized that there is a close link between abnormalities in glucose homeostasis, amino acid catabolism, and efficiency of fuel combustion in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (PLoS ONE)

Glycated albumin is a useful glycation index for monitoring fluctuating and poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients
Our data show that serum GA may be a more useful glycation index than A1c for monitoring glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients with fluctuating and poorly controlled glycemic excursions (Acta Diabetologia)

Retinal microaneurysm count predicts progression and regression of diabetic retinopathy. Post-hoc results from the DIRECT Programme
Microaneurysm counts are important prognostic indicators for worsening of retinopathy, thus microaneurysms are not benign. Treatment with rennin–renin-angiotensin system inhibitors is effective in the early stages and may improve mild diabetic retinopathy. Microaneurysm scores may be useful surrogate endpoints in clinical trials (Diabetic Medicine)

Insulin therapy in critically ill patients
This article reviews the data establishing the link between hyperglycemia and its risks of morbidity and mortality, and describes strategies that have proven effective in maintaining glycemic control in high-risk hospitalized patients (Vascular Health and Risk Management)

Clinical inertia in patients with T2DM requiring insulin in family practice
This study provides insight into the realities of insulin use in patients with T2DM in family practice and reinforces the role of clinical inertia in the failure of many patients to achieve and sustain glycemic control (Canadian Family Physician)

Comparison of pharmacokinetic properties, physiochemical stability and pump compatibility of three rapid-acting insulin analogs: aspart, lispro and glulisine
This review compares how the rapid-acting insulin analogs (RAIAs) aspart, lispro, and glulisine perform in continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy regarding pharmacokinetic properties; chemical and physical stability; and pump compatibility (Endocrine Practice)

Insulin metabolism and the risk of Alzheimer disease
The Rotterdam Study – Our findings suggest that insulin metabolism influences the clinical manifestation of AD only within 3 years (Neurology)

LCT gets green light from Russia for Type 1 diabetes treatment Diabecell
LCT announced that its Russian subsidiary, LCT Biomedical Limited, has received registration of the Company’s groundbreaking diabetes treatment, DIABECELL, as a marketable medical technology in Russia (Living Cell Technologies Limited)

Medtronic Receives FDA Approval for Industry’s Most Advanced Integrated System for Diabetes Management
The system incorporates new innovative CGM features including predictive alerts that can give early warning to people with diabetes so they can take action to prevent dangerous high or low glucose events (Medtronic)

Grow Your Own Transplant” May be Possible for Men with Type 1 Diabetes
A proof of principle that human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) extracted from testicular tissue can morph into insulin-secreting beta islet cells normally found in the pancreas. And the researchers say they accomplished this feat without use of any of the extra genes now employed in most labs (Georgetown University Medical Center)

How small changes led to big profits for insulin manufacturers
In the first of a series of investigations by the BMJ and Channel 4 News, Deborah Cohen and Philip Carter discover why more expensive analogue insulins are increasingly prescribed instead of cheaper human insulin despite lack of evidence of benefit for patients with type 2 diabetes (BMJ)