Insulin News and Research

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Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert glucose, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Insulin allows cells to use glucose for fuel and is secreted by beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. The release of insulin from the pancreas is stimulated by increased blood glucose, vagal nerve stimulation, and other factors. Insulin is obtained from various animals and available in a variety of preparations. Commercial insulin preparations differ in a number of ways, including differences in the animal species from which they are obtained; their purity, concentration, and solubility; and the time of onset and duration of their biologic action. An oral hypoglycemic agent is not a form of insulin therapy.

Novo Nordisk's insulin degludec reduces blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes

Ultra-long-acting insulin degludec, an investigational basal insulin being developed by Novo Nordisk, showed significant blood sugar reductions in patients with type 2 diabetes.

From Novo Nordisk 15 Sep 2011

Uterine stem cells could help treat diabetes

Controlling diabetes may someday involve mining stem cells from the lining of the uterus, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new study published in the journal Molecular Therapy.

15 Sep 2011

Enrollment commences in ConjuChem's CJC-1134-PC Phase 2 trial for Type 2 diabetes

ConjuChem, LLC, a biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery of novel therapeutics, today announced it has initiated patient enrollment for its Phase 2 clinical trial of its proprietary GLP-1 receptor agonist drug, CJC-1134-PC, in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus who are receiving metformin monotherapy.

15 Sep 2011

Novo Nordisk announces free diabetes educational e-book series

Today, Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, launched a free 5-volume diabetes educational e-book series, designed to help patients work with their health care team to better manage their diabetes. The e-book series is part of Cornerstones4Care™, an innovative patient support program that provides highly customizable diabetes information through the comprehensive interactive website www.Cornerstones4Care.com.

From Novo Nordisk 14 Sep 2011

A woman's pregnancy outcome can be an indicator of future health conditions

"A woman's pregnancy outcome can be an indicator of future health conditions," stated George R. Saade, M.D., president of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

14 Sep 2011

Pure maple syrup may promote a healthy liver

New research conducted at the University of Tokyo suggests that pure maple syrup may promote a healthy liver.

14 Sep 2011

Survey highlights need for better diabetes treatment guidelines

A survey of federally funded diabetes prevention and control programs in 57 U.S. states and territories has highlighted the need for better diabetes treatment guidelines that are specifically adapted to different populations. Such guidelines do not currently exist.

14 Sep 2011

ViroPharma initiates Cinryze Phase 2 subcutaneous trial in patients with HAE

ViroPharma Incorporated and Halozyme Therapeutics announced today that ViroPharma has initiated an open-label, multi-dose Phase 2 study to evaluate the safety, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of subcutaneous administration of Cinryze in combination with Halozyme's Enhanze technology, a proprietary drug delivery platform using Halozyme's recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme, in subjects with hereditary angioedema.

14 Sep 2011

High cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease

New research suggests that high cholesterol levels could boost the risk of Alzheimer's disease by creating more brain-clogging bits known as plaque. Researchers however didn't find any link between high cholesterol and tangles, which also clog the brain in those with Alzheimer's.

13 Sep 2011

A squirt of insulin up the nose for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers have noted in a small pilot study that squirting insulin deep into the nose where it travels to the brain might hold early Alzheimer’s disease at bay. At present there are no effective ways to prevent or delay the progress of Alzheimer’s. More than 5.4 million Americans and 35 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia.

13 Sep 2011

People with high cholesterol more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease

People with high cholesterol may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the September 13, 2011, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

13 Sep 2011

Cardiotrophin 1 has marked effect on fat and glucose metabolism

Scientists from the Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) of the University of Navarra (Spain) have discovered that cardiotrophin 1, a protein synthesized by muscle cells and adipose tissue, has a marked effect on fat and glucose metabolism.

13 Sep 2011

Lantus initiation may help limit weight gain in type 2 diabetes patients

Sanofi announced today data that demonstrates that initiating Lantus® (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) in type 2 diabetes patients leads to better glycemic control and comparable and modest weight gain versus a comparator group consisting of other insulins, oral antidiabetics and dietary changes.

12 Sep 2011

Sanofi's Lyxumia achieves primary efficacy endpoint in study of patients uncontrolled on metformin

Sanofi announced today that Lyxumia (lixisenatide), a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist under development for type 2 diabetes, achieved its primary efficacy endpoint of significant HbA1c reduction vs. placebo in patients uncontrolled on metformin.

12 Sep 2011

Valeritas completes Series C round of financing

Valeritas, Inc., a medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative drug delivery solutions, announced today it has completed a significant Series C round of financing of $150 million.

12 Sep 2011

Researchers identify glucokinase triggers beta cell regeneration in pancreas

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified the key signal that prompts production of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas -- a breakthrough discovery that may ultimately help researchers find ways to restore or increase beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes.

12 Sep 2011

Researchers create powerful anti-diabetic prototype drugs with lesser side effects

Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Fla., report they have created prototype drugs having powerful anti-diabetic effects, yet apparently free - at least in mice - of dangerous side effects plaguing some current diabetes medications.

9 Sep 2011

Novel solution for purifying stem cell mixtures

Stem cells show great potential to enable treatments for conditions such as spinal injuries or Lou Gehrig's disease, and also as research tools. One of the greatest problems slowing such work is that researchers have found major complications in purifying cell mixtures, for instance to remove stem cells that can cause tumors from cells developed for use in medical treatments.

9 Sep 2011

InnoCentive, JDRF announce $100,000 Challenge to uncover solutions for insulin-dependent diabetes

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), the worldwide leader for research to cure, treat, and prevent type 1 diabetes, and InnoCentive, Inc., the pioneer in open innovation and crowdsourcing, today announced a $100,000 Challenge calling for innovative ways to approach the discovery and development of a glucose-responsive insulin drug as a means to treat insulin-dependent diabetes.

9 Sep 2011

Moderate alcohol intake linked to longer life in women

According to a study published in the journal PLoS Medicine, women may benefit from alcohol consumption. The study showed that middle-age women who indulge in one drink a day or less on a regular basis may have a better chance of being healthier when they’re older.

8 Sep 2011