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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.

Phase 1 clinical trial of SIRT1 inhibitor for the treatment of Huntington’s Disease commenced

Elixir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that its partner, Siena Biotech S.p.A., has commenced Phase 1 clinical testing of Elixir’s potent, first-in-class SIRT1 (sirtuin-1) inhibitor for the treatment of Huntington’s Disease.

8 Jan 2010

LIVESTRONGTM.COM compiles tools to help users maintain healthy living

Each year, millions of people designate January 1 as the day they are going to make a change. Stop smoking. Save money. Exercise regularly. Whatever the pledge, countless Americans try—and frequently fail—to make changes in their lives. Most start strong, but by February have all but abandoned their newfound goals.

7 Jan 2010

Balanced diet and exercise are the only reliable ways to lose weight

It's time to set the record straight. The only reliable way to lose weight is to eat less or exercise more. Preferably both.

7 Jan 2010

Fresenius Medical Care offers tips on how dialysis patients can plan their treatment during winter season

As winter brings freezing temperatures and blankets regions of the U.S. with snow, dialysis patients are especially vulnerable because they typically need treatment every two to three days, and any substantial delay can be life threatening. Power outages can disrupt their regular treatments, and snow and ice can make driving treacherous, preventing patients from getting treatment at dialysis facilities.

7 Jan 2010

Intuity Medical secures $64M Series D financing round

Intuity Medical, Inc., a privately-held company developing innovative technologies in diabetes management, today announced that it has secured a $64M Series D financing round.

6 Jan 2010

Study shows diabetic patients can benefit from gastric bypass surgery

Bariatric surgery is a procedure designed to help patients lose weight, but an unexpected side effect is that it can also help rid patients of diabetes.

5 Jan 2010

Insulet and Ypsomed AG sign distribution agreement

Insulet Corporation, the leader in tubing-free insulin pump technology with its OmniPod® Insulin Management System, and Ypsomed AG (SIX Swiss Exchange: YPSN), a leading independent diabetes specialist and technology provider of innovative injection systems for self-medication in Europe, today announced an exclusive agreement for the distribution of the OmniPod Insulin Management System in nine countries across Europe, as well as China and Australia.

5 Jan 2010

Elevated diabetes risk associated with smoking cessation, but lifestyle changes can help combat risk

Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor for type 2 diabetes, but new research from Johns Hopkins suggests that quitting the habit may actually raise diabetes risk in the short term.

5 Jan 2010

Closer to the root cause of diabetes

A new research discovery published online in the FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) may change the perception and treatment of diabetes. That's because scientists have moved closer toward correcting the root cause of the disease rather than managing its symptoms. Specifically researchers identified a protein (G6PD protein) and its antioxidant product (NAPDH) that both prevent the death and promote the growth of cells which produce and release insulin in the pancreas (beta cells).

5 Jan 2010

Headline results from first phase III study of Balaglitazone announced

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. and Rheoscience, a subsidiary of Nordic Bioscience A/S, today announced the headline results from the first phase III study for their investigational agent, Balaglitazone.

4 Jan 2010

Biodel submits NDA to FDA for clearance to market VIAject

Biodel, Inc. announced today that it has submitted a new drug application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for clearance to market VIAject® as a treatment for diabetes.

30 Dec 2009

Liraglutide FDA feedback expected within weeks, says Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk today announced that formal feedback from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding liraglutide, a once-daily human GLP-1 analogue, is expected within weeks.

30 Dec 2009

Pharmacists can reduce treatment costs and improve outcomes if given the chance

The role of pharmacists hasn't received much attention in the debate on the cost of health care. But national and regional studies show that when pharmacists directly participate in patient care, they significantly reduce treatment costs and improve outcomes.

30 Dec 2009

Phase 3 trial of figitumumab discontinued by Pfizer

Pfizer Inc. announced today the discontinuation of A4021016 (also known as ADVIGO 1016), a Phase 3 trial examining the effects of investigational compound figitumumab (CP-751,871) as first-line treatment in patients with advanced non-adenocarcinoma non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to the study meeting predefined boundaries for early termination.

30 Dec 2009

Discovery of beta cell defending enzyme raises hope for new treatments against diabetes

Cells in your body are constantly churning out poisonous forms of oxygen (oxidants) and mopping them up with a countervailing force of proteins and chemicals (anti-oxidants).

28 Dec 2009

SemBioSys Genetics' Apo AI(Milano) program progress update

SemBioSys Genetics Inc. provided an update today on its progress on plant-produced Apo AI(Milano) in light of the Apo AI(Milano) license agreement between Pfizer Inc. and The Medicines Company, of Parsippany, New Jersey.

24 Dec 2009

Researchers mix active drug and placebo to maximize drug benefits for efficient treatment

Researchers used the placebo effect to successfully treat psoriasis patients with one quarter to one half of their usual dose of a widely used steroid medication, according to an early study published online today in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

23 Dec 2009

High prevalence of type 2 diabetes may be linked to excess niacin intake

Facing the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes worldwide in the past few decades, one may ask what is wrong with humans. Geneticists tell us that the human genome has not changed markedly in such a short time.

23 Dec 2009

Endocannabinoid modulation of sweet taste receptors may help control feeding behavior

Sweet taste responses were enhanced by endocannabinoids in every case. The effect was specific for sweet taste, as endocannibinoids had no effect on responses to sour, salty, bitter or umami taste stimuli.

22 Dec 2009

Cost outweighs benefits of self-monitoring blood glucose test strips

Routine self-monitoring of blood glucose levels by people with type 2 diabetes who are not taking insulin is an ineffective use of health resources as the modest benefits are outweighed by the significant cost of test strips, suggest 2 studies http://www.cmaj.ca/embargo/cmaj091017.pdf and http://www.cmaj.ca/embargo/cmaj090765.pdf in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) www.cmaj.ca .

22 Dec 2009