Research on diabetes and its complications. Covers glucose prediction, nerve pain, weight-loss drugs, insulin access, and diabetes management.
A recent study by Joslin researchers has identified the glucose transporter 2 (Glut2) protein as a key contributor to the development of birth defects in children born to mothers with diabetes. Glut2 enables high blood glucose levels to enter embryonic cells, increasing the risk of malformations.
A national series of interventions aimed at improving chronic disease management quality resulted in enhanced processes of care for diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. However, these efforts did not lead to improvements in intermediate clinical outcomes, such as control of high blood pressure or glycated hemoglobin levels.
The number of people with diabetes has increased substantially, making it one of the most costly chronic diseases. Researchers found a 69% rise in diabetes prevalence in Ontario, Canada from 1995 to 2005, exceeding global predictions for 2030.
A diet rich in black soya beans could help control weight, lower fat and cholesterol levels, and aid in the prevention of diabetes. The soya protein may be having an effect on fat metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue, reducing synthesis of new fatty acids and cholesterol.
A case study reports a 36-year-old bodybuilder developing diabetes after using growth hormone and anabolic steroids for extended periods. Regular blood sugar checks are urged for individuals taking high doses of growth hormone to prevent similar cases.
Spring Point Project's biosecure animal facility has successfully bred high-health, pathogen-free pigs, paving the way for potential human islet cell transplantation. The goal is to provide an FDA-approved standard treatment soon after clinical trials within three years.
A new study reveals Pycnogenol, a French maritime pine tree extract, is 190 times more potent in delaying glucose absorption than prescription medication Precose. This natural extract has been shown to suppress carbohydrate absorption in diabetes, making it an effective alternative for managing type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that surgically removing the vagus nerve in mice prevented or reversed insulin resistance and high blood pressure. The study suggests altering vagal nerve activity could provide a novel treatment approach for diabetes and hypertension.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that 18% of American men experience erectile dysfunction, with age being a major risk factor. Lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity and disease prevention measures may also improve male sexual function.
A nationally representative survey of 1,022 adults found that 69 percent would prefer a dietary approach to treating diabetes, while just 21 percent preferred medication. The survey results support clinical research findings on the effectiveness of low-fat vegetarian diets in controlling and reversing diabetes.
A Joslin Diabetes Center-led team identified a group of proteins that may play critical roles in causing blood vessel leakage in the eyes of people with diabetic retinopathy. One of these molecules causes retinal blood vessel leakage, contributing to swelling and vision loss.
A recent study by Saint Louis University researcher Edward Weiss found that about half of Americans have a version of the FABP2 gene that affects fat metabolism, increasing their risk of developing diabetes. Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can help mitigate this risk.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found significant differences between antihypertensive drugs and their risk of new-onset diabetes. ACE-inhibitors and ARBs prevent diabetes, while diuretics and beta-blockers increase the risk. The study analyzed 22 long-term randomized clinical trials and included 143,153 patients.
Researchers found that antihypertensive agents ARBs and ACE inhibitors are the least associated with incident diabetes, followed by calcium-channel blockers and placebo. The study provides a systematic review of clinical trials and finds highly coherent estimates that are robust to sensitivity analyses.
Researchers found that replacing SH2B1 only in the brain of mice lacking it prevents obesity and diabetes. The study implicates SH2B1 as a potential target for treating obesity and type II diabetes.
A study published in JAMA found that South Asians have higher levels of heart attack risk factors, such as smoking and diabetes, at younger ages. The research suggests that lifestyle changes implemented early in life can reduce the risk of heart attacks in South Asians.
Researchers found a decline in allergic reactions to insulin, largely attributed to improved purification methods. New continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) systems may help reduce these reactions even further.
A study found that liver transplant patients with a history of obesity, impaired fasting glucose, and hepatitis C infection are at increased risk of developing new-onset diabetes mellitus. The risk factors also include the use of certain immunosuppressants and cardiovascular risk factors.
Scientists have discovered a gene called 'Titch' that plays a key role in the metabolism of insulin in flies and may also be relevant to humans. The finding has implications for the development of new drugs for Type II diabetes.
A new hypothesis proposes that a deficiency in the enzyme Pancreatic Endoplasmic Reticulum Kinase (PERK) during fetal development can lead to permanent neonatal diabetes. The research found that PERK-deficient mice have impaired beta cell proliferation, differentiation, and clustering, resulting in reduced insulin production.
The increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome, a state characterized by cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure, is a growing concern. Physicians emphasize the need for aggressive treatment and lifestyle modifications to prevent serious health problems.
Primary Care Diabetes is an influential new journal launched in February 2007, covering clinical care, education, nutrition, health services, and psychosocial research related to diabetes. The journal aims to promote the implementation of evidence-based diabetes practices in primary care settings.
Researchers at NYU and Scripps have identified a new enzyme GAPDH that regulates insulin pathways, providing a promising direction for treating diabetes. The discovery of GAPDS, an inhibitor of GAPDH, attenuates diabetic symptoms in model animals, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
A study by Group Health found that panic episodes in diabetic patients are linked to poorer health outcomes, including higher blood sugar levels and greater disability. The researchers also discovered that half of the patients with panic also had major depression.
Researchers have proven that tumours can be prevented from forming when embryonic stem cells are transplanted into laboratory animals. The team used microencapsulation technology to achieve this result, paving the way for vital therapies for disorders like diabetes.
A recent study found that high blood glucose is responsible for approximately 2.2 million cardiovascular deaths and 1.5 million ischaemic heart disease deaths worldwide. The findings highlight the significant burden of high blood glucose on mortality from these conditions.
A new study by Saint Louis University researcher Edward Weiss found that both diet and exercise provide significant benefits in reducing the risk of diabetes. The study, which followed 50-60 year olds with a high body mass index, showed improvements in glucose tolerance and insulin levels in all three groups, regardless of whether they...
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered an enzyme called ACE2 that may hold the potential to treat diabetic kidney disease. Studies suggest that increasing ACE2 levels in the kidneys could reverse or prevent kidney disease from developing.
Research published in Phytotherapy Research found that silymarin extract can significantly lower fasting blood sugar levels and reduce glycosylated haemoglobin in patients with type II diabetes. The study showed promising results, but further large-scale trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness.
A new study from Harvard Medical School and Brown Medical School shows that racial disparities in care cannot be attributed to low-performing health plans. The research found that high-performing plans and low-performing plans have comparable levels of disparities in key health measures.
A study published in JAMA found that black patients in Medicare managed care health plans experience poorer treatment outcomes for common conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. The disparity in quality of care was largely attributed to within-plan disparities rather than differences across health plans.
Researchers at Monash University will use stem cell therapies to treat autoimmune diseases like MS and diabetes by targeting a rogue immune system. The $5.23 million program aims to develop new treatments without excessive immunosuppressive regimes.
A new study published in PLoS Medicine found that older people with diabetes are at a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, with the risk being particularly high for those treated with insulin injections. The study followed nearly 6000 individuals over 65 and found that approximately 50-60% of deaths were attributable to ca...
The CANADA-HOPE Scholarship Program aims to improve the health of people in developing countries through research. The three recipients will study healthy aging, organ damage and stroke research in Canada before returning to their home institutions to establish productive research programs.
Studies highlight the impact of Medicaid program reductions, including increased coverage loss and unmet healthcare needs, as well as the influence of insurance status on physician decision-making. Undiagnosed diabetes is also found to have detrimental consequences, including increased rates of nephropathy and neuropathy.
A large study found that Japanese adults with diabetes have a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, including liver, kidney, and pancreatic cancers. Men with diabetes had a significantly higher risk of cancer than men without diabetes.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the connection between calcineurin and diabetes. By inhibiting calcineurin, they were able to prevent beta cells from increasing their numbers and producing insulin, offering new hope for treating type-2 diabetes. The findings al...
A large observational study found that men with local or regional prostate cancer receiving GnRH agonist therapy had a 44% higher risk of developing diabetes and a 16% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease. Physicians should consider alternative treatments to mitigate these risks.
A new study ranks the top applications of regenerative medicine for improving health in developing countries, including novel insulin replacement and pancreatic islet cell regeneration for diabetes. Regenerating failed heart muscle using a patient's own cells is also highly ranked.
A recent study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine reveals that diabetes mellitus significantly slows nerve recovery after a heart transplant. This finding highlights the importance of understanding nervous system abnormalities to guide therapeutic efforts aimed at reducing cardiac risk for patients with diabetes.
A new study finds that diabetes disease-management programs lead to higher rates of recommended examinations, such as eye and foot exams, and cholesterol checks. However, these strategies had no impact on controlling key factors associated with diabetes complications, like blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels.
A study found that extreme obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol in women. Women with extreme obesity were more likely to die over the average 7-year follow-up period than those in other weight categories.
A Canadian study found that people with diabetes are up to four times more likely to have cardiovascular disease as those without it. Diabetes leads to an earlier high-risk category for CVD, with diabetic men and women being about 15 years younger than non-diabetic counterparts in the same risk group.
Researchers at U of T confirm the GI's reliability as a predictor of blood glucose levels, despite concerns over unpredictable outcomes. The study found that 90% of variation was explained by carbohydrate content and GI values, validating the concept's effectiveness in managing blood glucose.
A recent animal study found that trans fat consumption can lead to weight gain despite controlled calorie intake. The study, led by Kylie Kavanagh and Lawrence L. Rudel, discovered that male monkeys fed a western-style diet rich in trans fat gained 7.2% more body weight compared to those on a monounsaturated fat diet.
William H. Herman suggests that glycosylated hemoglobin test may not be suitable for making diabetes diagnosis, and instead recommends blood glucose tests after a special sugary drink for accurate diagnosis. Population-level studies show how screening can optimize detection of impaired glucose tolerance and prevent diabetes complications.
Researchers identify abnormal fasting glucose levels as a risk factor for neuropathy, suggesting an earlier stage of disordered glucose metabolism. The study's findings support the hypothesis that impaired glucose tolerance may be a milder precursor to neuropathies associated with diabetes.
A new study suggests that prepaying benefits for diabetes prevention could save healthcare costs by preventing millions of individuals from developing the disease. By sharing costs with employers and individuals, private health insurers and Medicare can cover lifestyle interventions, reducing the economic impact of obesity and diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the relationship between stress response and insulin regulation in flies. By boosting a molecular signal called JNK, they found that flies can live up to 85 days longer, opening up new avenues for understanding human diabetes and aging.
Researchers found that mice lacking pancreatic beta cell M3 receptors developed impaired glucose tolerance and reduced insulin release. In contrast, mice with increased M3 receptors showed improved glucose tolerance and insulin release, becoming resistant to developing symptoms of diabetes.
A novel therapeutic approach has been discovered by the University of Manchester team, using a DNA-binding protein to stimulate genes and promote nerve growth. The preclinical results have been encouraging, with initial-stage clinical trials in the US showing promising progress in managing diabetic neuropathy.
Researchers found that a combination of beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, and ACE inhibitors effectively lowers blood pressure in Hispanic patients while reducing their risk of developing diabetes. The study showed a 19% increased risk of diabetes in Hispanic patients but a 15% decreased risk with the verapamil-trandolapril strategy.
A new study has demonstrated the use of PET imaging to track diabetes progression by measuring beta cell mass. The method uses a molecule expressed in both beta cells and the central nervous system, allowing for non-invasive imaging of beta cells in rats and potentially human subjects.
The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study found that approximately 100,000 adults develop diabetes annually, with nearly 600 people progressing to obesity every day. The study also revealed a significant increase in hypertension and chronic kidney disease among the Australian population.
Uninsured adults are less likely to receive preventive services and treatment for chronic illnesses compared to insured adults. Higher-income uninsured individuals also exhibit decreased use of recommended healthcare services, suggesting that lack of insurance is not solely associated with lower-income populations.
A study by University College London found that middle-aged English people have lower rates of diseases such as diabetes, high-blood pressure, and lung cancer compared to their American peers. The differences were confirmed through analysis of biological markers, suggesting that the health disparities are not just due to reporting biases.
A study comparing health outcomes in US and English citizens reveals that Americans are much sicker than their English counterparts. The SES-health gradient appears equally strong in both self-reports and biological measures of health.
A study of 152 patients with diabetes found that taking sertraline significantly reduced the risk of depression recurrence. After one year, 65.8% of patients remained in remission compared to 47.9% on placebo.
The editorial concludes that inhaled insulin is not suitable for everyone with diabetes, citing high costs and limited long-term safety data. Despite this, individual physicians should discuss its use with patients on a case-by-case basis.
Data from the National Health Interview Survey show a significant link between obesity and increasing diabetes incidence. Lifestyle interventions, including moderate weight loss and exercise, can prevent or delay diabetes onset in high-risk adults.