Diabetes News January 13th 2012

Research Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on weight loss: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials
The present review provides evidence that treatment with GLP-1R agonists leads to weight loss in overweight or obese patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (BMJ)

The adaptive immune system as a fundamental regulator of adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance
This review highlights critical roles of adipose tissue lymphocytes in governing glucose homeostasis (Immunology and Cell Biology)

Study of Women, Infant Feeding, and Type 2 diabetes mellitus after GDM pregnancy (SWIFT), a prospective cohort study: methodology and design
This is the first, large prospective, community-based study involving a racially and ethnically diverse cohort of women with recent GDM that rigorously assesses lactation intensity and duration and examines their relationship to incident type 2 diabetes while accounting for numerous potential confounders not assessed previously (BMC Public Health)

Effects of combining simvastatin with rosiglitazone on inflammation, oxidant stress and ambulatory blood pressure in patients with the metabolic syndrome: the SIROCO study
Our data show that patients with the metabolic syndrome given a statin/TZD combination manifest greater reductions in markers of vascular inflammation and oxidant stress, 24-h ambulatory BP and increases in adiponectin as well as improved glycaemic indices (Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism)

Trends of insulin use among US adults with type 2 diabetes: the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1995–2007
The proportion of insulin use decreased from 1995 to 2007 among US adults aged =40 years. Continuing efforts may be needed to properly identify those who may need to initiate and maintain insulin therapy among patients with type 2 diabetes as medically indicated (Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications)

Potential Implications of Coronary Artery Calcium Testing for Guiding Aspirin Use Among Asymptomatic Individuals With Diabetes Mellitus
CAC can help risk stratify individuals with diabetes and may aid in selection of patients who may benefit from therapies such as low-dose aspirin for primary prevention (Diabetes Care)

Statin Use and Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women in the Women’s Health Initiative
Statin medication use in postmenopausal women is associated with an increased risk for DM. This may be a medication class effect. Further study by statin type and dose may reveal varying risk levels for new-onset DM in this population (Archives of Internal Medicine)

Ramipril-based versus diuretic-based antihypertensive primary treatment in patients with pre-diabetes (ADaPT) study
Ramipril treatment is preferable over diuretic based treatment regimens for the treatment of hypertension in pre-diabetic patients, because new-onset diabetes is delayed. (Cardiovascular Diabetology)

European Commission backs Takeda’s pioglitazone-containing drugs
European Commission adopts European Medicines Agency’s opinion confirming pioglitazone-containing medicines remain a valid treatment option for appropriate type 2 diabetes patients (Takeda)

Oramed Pharmaceuticals Files US Patent Application for Combination Oral Treatment of Diabetes
Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. a developer of oral drug delivery systems, announced that it has filed a provisional patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a combination therapy of its lead compound, ORMD-0801 in combination with its oral exenatide formulation, ORMD-0901. There is no such approved combination product available on the market today (Oramed)

Prevention study with Diamyd´s diabetes vaccine fully recruited
A total of 50 children aged four and older with a high risk of developing type 1 diabetes have been enrolled in a researcher-initiated Phase II study, DiAPREV-IT, with Diamyd Medical’s diabetes vaccine Diamyd®