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.

Two studies investigate frontiers of islet cell transplantation for treating diabetes

Two studies published in the current issue of Cell Transplantation investigate frontiers of islet cell transplantation for treating diabetes. Researchers in Milan, Italy re-examine the role of bone marrow stem cells in diabetic therapy and islet cell regeneration and Canadian researchers offer improved strategies for optimizing pancreatic islet culture in vitro.

18 Feb 2011

Skeleton regulates fertility in males, but not females

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered that the skeleton acts as a regulator of fertility in male mice through a hormone released by bone, known as osteocalcin.

17 Feb 2011

Over and under treatment of hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients leads to patient safety issues

The publication of the systematic review of intensive insulin therapy in hospitalized patients and the American College of Physicians (ACP) clinical guidelines for inpatient glucose control in the February 15th issue of Annals of Internal Medicine has again raised the issue of optimal management of hyperglycemia in the hospital.

17 Feb 2011

Impaired brain insulin action may worsen type 2 diabetes

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered a novel function of brain insulin, indicating that impaired brain insulin action may be the cause of the unrestrained lipolysis that initiates and worsens type 2 diabetes in humans. The research is published this month in the journal Cell Metabolism.

17 Feb 2011

Mental health of obese children needs primary focus

The mental health of obese children should be a primary focus of researchers studying childhood obesity, according to Christine Calamaro, PhD, CRNP, assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

16 Feb 2011

Study: Expedited medical device reviews account for majority of recalls

The analysis, which was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, connected the Food and Drug Administration's most urgent medical device recalls with high-risk devices that were subject to "speedy" review.

16 Feb 2011

Halozyme-Roche announce initiation of Phase 3 subcutaneous MabThera trial in follicular NHL

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. and Roche today announced the first patient received subcutaneous MabThera (rituximab), an anticancer biologic, in a Phase 3 registration trial using Enhanze technology.

16 Feb 2011

Leading foundations support Australian diabetes treatment

Two international charitable foundations, New Zealand-based Cure Kids and U.S.-based Children with Diabetes Foundation, have each pledged to provide US$140,000 to fund the final two patients in a Phase II clinical trial in New Zealand that has the potential to transform the treatment of Type 1 diabetes.

15 Feb 2011

First Edition: February 15, 2011

Today's headlines include reports about the health portion of the President's budget blueprint along with the politics that accompany it.

15 Feb 2011

Scientists find molecular pathway that offers novel targets for diabetes therapies

Once people develop type 2 diabetes, high blood glucose levels alter their metabolism so much that it becomes difficult to sift through all the clues to find what might enable the disease.

15 Feb 2011

Positive results from Glenmark's crofelemer Phase 2 study in acute watery diarrhea

Napo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is pleased to announce the positive results of a successfully completed Phase 2 study of crofelemer for the treatment of hospitalized adult patients with mild to moderate acute watery diarrhea conducted by its partner Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd..

14 Feb 2011

New clinical trial to test surgery specifically for Type 2 diabetes

A new clinical trial at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center is among the first to test surgery specifically for Type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study is to understand whether surgery can control diabetes, as well or even better than the best medical treatment available today. This is the first study of its kind open to patients who are overweight or mildly obese.

14 Feb 2011

Researchers discover mechanism for normalizing blood sugar without insulin need

Diabetes can result from either a deficiency of insulin or decreased sensitivity to insulin. Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have discovered a mechanism for normalizing blood sugar that doesn't involve insulin and could offer a new therapeutic approach to both kinds of diabetes.

14 Feb 2011

A sweet tooth during pregnancy does more harm than good: Study

New research from scientists at the University of Auckland’s Liggins Institute has revealed that a pregnant mother can be putting her unborn child at risk by drinking as little as three glasses of juice a day or eating five apples. They have linked sugars such as fructose and impaired foetal development.

13 Feb 2011

Fructose does not increase food intake or impact body weight: Study

A new comprehensive review, recently published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, concludes that fructose does not increase food intake or impact body weight or blood triglycerides in overweight or obese individuals.

11 Feb 2011

New trial tests surgery for Type 2 diabetes

11 Feb 2011

Afinitor plus BSC doubles progression-free survival in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published a study today that shows Afinitor® (everolimus) tablets plus best supportive care (BSC) more than doubled progression-free survival (PFS), or time without tumor growth, versus placebo plus BSC in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET).

10 Feb 2011

Gerresheimer 2010 group revenues increase 5.6% to EUR 1024.8m

Gerresheimer AG, one of the leading worldwide suppliers to the pharma and healthcare industry, finished the financial year 2010 with record results. "The financial year 2010 was very successful for us. Our know-how and products are very much in demand from international pharma customers. Our shareholders should participate in this success.

10 Feb 2011

Targacept initiates TC-6987 Phase 2 study in patients with asthma, Type 2 diabetes

Targacept, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel NNR Therapeutics™, today announced the initiation of separate Phase 2 clinical studies of its product candidate TC-6987 in disorders characterized by inflammation, one in asthma and one in Type 2 diabetes.

9 Feb 2011

Study finds link between sleep duration and colorectal adenomas

An inadequate amount of sleep has been associated with higher risks of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and death. Now colon cancer can be added to the list.

9 Feb 2011