Diabetes News March 17th 2009

Quality of healthcare in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland: an intra-UK chartbook
126 page PDF Diabetes on pages 50 – 54 (The Health Foundation, UK)

Diabetic retinal neurodegeneration is associated with mitochondrial oxidative stress and is improved by angiotensin receptor blocker in a model that combines hypertension and diabetes
These data provide the first evidence of AT1 blockage as a neuroprotective treatment of diabetic retinopathy by reestablishing oxidative redox and the mitochondrial function (Diabetes)

Bariatric Surgery
Educational Video Library from the (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons)

Diabetes Australia’s official position on adjustable gastric banding surgery
This form of treatment for obesity should be used as a last resort for those who have not adequately responded to intensive lifestyle measures to control their weight (Diabetes Australia)

How insulin could reduce scarring
Scientists have found that by injecting insulin within a short time of the injury they can have a real impact on reducing formation of scar tissue (BBC)

Hypos linked to cognitive decline in people with diabetes
Severe hypoglycaemic episodes or ‘hypos’, where blood glucose levels drop dangerously low, may lead to poorer memory and diminished brain power in people with Type 2 diabetes (Diabetes UK)

Full accounting of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the U.S. population in 1988-1994 and 2005-2006
Over 40% of people aged > or =20 years have hyperglycemic conditions, and prevalence is higher in minorities. Diagnosed diabetes has increased over time, but other conditions have been relatively stable (Diabetes Care via PubMed)

Incretin-based therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus
This review article focuses on these two new classes of antidiabetic agents and will outline the scientific basis for the development of incretin mimetics and incretin enhancers, review clinical experience gathered so far and discuss future expectations for incretin-based therapy (PubMed)

Gestational diabetes; can a low glycemic index diet reduce the need for insulin? A randomised trial
Using a low GI diet for women diagnosed with GDM effectively halved the number needing to use insulin with no compromise of obstetric or fetal outcomes (Diabetes Care)

Study finds link between atrial fibrillation and an increased risk of death in diabetic patients
Results from a large, international, randomised, controlled trial have shown that there is a strong link between diabetics who have an abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) and an increased risk of other heart-related problems and death (European Society of Cardiology)

Proteinuria: detection and quantitation in adults using ACR
Information for GPs. 2-page PDF (DoH)

Prevention and Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease
Draft Clinical Standards – February 2009. 61-page PDF (NHS)

TOPDOC Diabetes Study
This is a UK-wide survey of foundation doctors and Specialist trainees from all specialities, looking at their confidence levels in the management of diabetes (NHS Diabetes)

Shining Light on Diabetes-Related Blindness
Scientists are using beams of light to measure blood flow in the back of the eye (American Institute of Physics – via News Wise)

Ophthalmologists have a key role in the diabetes care team
The role of ophthalmologists must broaden to combat the increasing prevalence of diabetic eye diseases, which will involve them joining forces with other health care professionals involved in the management of Type 2 diabetes to help patients control their diabetes before eye complications worsen (Medwire News)

TrialNet Centers Begin Diamyd® Vaccine Study for Recent-Onset Type 1 Diabetes
Diamyd Medical announces today that Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet, a clinical network funded by the National Institutes of Health to prevent and treat newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, has started recruiting patients for a clinical trial testing the Diamyd®-vaccine’s therapeutic benefit in individuals with recent-onset type 1 diabetes (Diamyd Medical)

Generex Biotechnology Provides Update On Generex Oral-lyn(tm) in India
An update on Generex Oral-lyn(tm) sales in India, where the product is marketed and sold by Shreya Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd (Generex Biotechnology)

Drug link with diabetes challenged
The Anglo Swedish maker of the drug Seroquel is challenging the opinion of three doctors who claimed that the anti psychotic treatment causes diabetes (Pharmacy Europe)

New funding for National Diabetes Management Strategy to target primary care
The National Diabetes Management Strategy has received a $500,000 boost in funding from Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. to research diabetes treatment in primary care and ultimately improve the lives of people with the disease (Fox Business)

Glycaemic trend during Ramadan in fasting diabetic subjects: a study from Pakistan.
The present study suggests that all diabetic subjects who intend to fast should be counseled before Ramadan about change in medication timings and dose, dietary changes and pattern of physical activity and about role of self-monitoring of blood glucose especially during acute symptoms (PubMed)

JDRF-Funded Study Takes First Step Toward Development of Medicines That Can Regenerate Pancreases
Researchers funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation have found two chemical compounds that can trigger the growth of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The discovery could become the basis for medicines designed to regenerate the pancreas in people with type 1 diabetes (Diabetes Health)

Complementary therapies investigated to treat Type 2 diabetes
Scientists are investigating a range of weird and wonderful complementary therapies that have the potential to help treat Type 2 diabetes (Diabetes UK)

The effectiveness of a hospital diabetes outreach service in supporting care for acutely admitted patients with diabetes
This reformatted service was associated with a marked improvement in a number of parameters relevant to inpatient care (QJM )

Does Stem Cell Research Hold Diabetes Cure?
What progress might President Obama’s approach to stem cell research bring for the fight against diabetes, sickle cell anemia, and other diseases which hit the black community hard? – Listen now (NPR)

Diamyd Medical wins Swedish approval for diabetes vaccine study
Study comprises of 50 children from four years of age (Pharmaceutical Business Review)

Generex Biotechnology Announces Successful Phase III Study Data for Generex Oral-lyn(tm)
The Company believes that Generex Oral-lyn will offer a safe, simple, fast, effective and pain-free alternative to prandial insulin injections which will improve patient compliance with therapeutic regimes thereby delaying the progress of diabetes and the onset of its myriad complications (Generex)

SuliXen insulin substitute success
Trials have reportedly shown that Lipoxen’s long acting insulin substitute SuliXen is safe and well tolerated, with no adverse side effects (Pharmacy Europe)