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.

Diabetic or obese patients suffering advanced heart failure have higher levels of fat embedded in their hearts

Heart failure, progressive and potentially fatal weakening of the heart muscle, is associated with both obesity and diabetes, but the mechanisms by which damage occurs are not well-understood, said senior author Heinrich Taegtmeyer, M.D., Ph.D., professor of cardiology.

1 Nov 2004

Expert panel see hope for stem cell use as diabetes cure

A report from a medical panel of academic and community-based endocrinologists and transplant surgeons acknowledged that a recent study supports the use of stem cells as a future cure for type I diabetes.

1 Nov 2004

Sugary foods are making up a growing chunk of kids’ daily diets

Obesity researcher Michael I. Goran, professor of preventive medicine in the Keck School of Medicine of USC, said sugary foods are making up a growing chunk of kids’ daily diets.

26 Oct 2004

Human Genome Sciences announces agreement with GSK for development of drug to treat diabetes

Human Genome Sciences today announced an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline under which GlaxoSmithKline has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize Albugon (albumin-glucagon-like peptide-1, GLP-1), a drug currently in late-stage preclinical development by Human Genome Sciences for potential use in the treatment of diabetes.

26 Oct 2004

A single change in a person’s DNA can contribute to a range of life-shortening risk factors

A woman with hypertension, low magnesium levels, and a cooperative family allowed scientists to pinpoint the mutation, which affects the genes of the mitochondria — the energy-producing power plants of the cell that are passed from mother to offspring.

25 Oct 2004

Rosiglitazone helps boost the effectiveness of a treatment for opening clogged arteries

Rosiglitazone, a drug taken to help improve blood sugar levels, also helps boost the effectiveness of a treatment for opening clogged arteries, according to a study in the November issue of Diabetes Care.

25 Oct 2004

Newly discovered gene could be a significant contributor to diabetes in Americans

A gene involved in the action of insulin is associated with type 2 diabetes and the body’s response to insulin, report scientists at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

25 Oct 2004

Lag-3 gene dampens immune responses by controlling regulatory T-cell function

The discovery that the Lag-3 gene acts as a brake to prevent immune system responses from running out of control solves a mystery that has puzzled researchers since the gene was discovered 14 years ago.

22 Oct 2004

Atypical antipsychotics commonly used to treat children with aggression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia may trigger insulin resistance

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins Children's Center say a group of drugs known as "atypical antipsychotics" that are commonly used to treat children with aggression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia may trigger insulin resistance, a condition that increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease later in life.

21 Oct 2004

Insulin pumps effective for children with diabetes

Pre-school youngsters with type I diabetes can be treated as successfully with insulin pumps as with daily injections, researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine report.

18 Oct 2004

Discovery of fundamental mechanism within cells that link obesity and type 2 diabetes

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health have discovered what they believe is the fundamental mechanism within cells that links two fast-rising public health threats: obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

18 Oct 2004

Location of body fat on older women can indicate the likelihood of heart disease

The location of body fat on older women can indicate the likelihood of heart disease, according to a new study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

16 Oct 2004

Some patients who undergo treatment considered to be the last resort for severe obesity can develop peripheral neuropathy

Researchers from Mayo Clinic have found some patients who undergo a treatment considered to be the last resort for those who suffer from severe obesity - stomach stapling or gastric bypass surgery, can develop peripheral neuropathy, damage to the peripheral nerves, the vast communications network that transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body.

16 Oct 2004

Insulin sensitizing drugs help thin women as well overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Insulin-sensitizing drugs can help thin women with polycystic ovary syndrome even if they do not appear to be insulin resistant, broadening the range of women who can benefit from the therapy, a Virginia Commonwealth University researcher said in this month’s issue of the journal Fertility and Sterility.

16 Oct 2004

Flu vaccine shortage highlights need to accelerate the approval of affordable generic biopharmaceuticals and vaccines

Following the announcement that the nation is facing a flu vaccine shortage this year, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) renewed its call for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Congress to move forward to accelerate the approval of affordable generic biopharmaceuticals and vaccines.

8 Oct 2004

The search for the Holy Grail for dieters is on

Starting this month Canadian and British scientists will begin collaborating on a study to examine human appetite- controlling hormones with a view to finding out what will increase PYY, a powerful hormone in the human body which dramatically diminishes appetite.

7 Oct 2004

Short-term exercise has a significant impact on insulin action in overweight people

Carefully controlling the amount of food and drink that formerly sedentary, overweight people ingest during and after short-term exercise has a significant impact on insulin action.

7 Oct 2004

Statistics reveal that there are now 1.8 million people with diabetes in the UK

New statistics revealed by Diabetes UK show that there are now 1.8 million people with diabetes in the UK – three per cent of the population, equivalent to the combined population of Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester.

7 Oct 2004

Understanding how microbes in the gut interact with the body could lead to new a understanding and novel treatments for diseases

Understanding how microbes in the gut interact with the body could lead scientists and doctors to new a understanding and novel treatments for diseases say scientists from Imperial College London and Astra Zeneca.

6 Oct 2004

Interleukin-6 has potential as a therapeutic drug in treating metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis

For the most of the past century, researchers have searched for a muscle-contraction-induced factor, which mediates some of the exercise effects in other tissues and organs such as the liver and adipose tissue.

5 Oct 2004

Insulin News and Research

Further Reading

Diabetic or obese patients suffering advanced heart failure have higher levels of fat embedded in their hearts

Expert panel see hope for stem cell use as diabetes cure

Sugary foods are making up a growing chunk of kids’ daily diets

Human Genome Sciences announces agreement with GSK for development of drug to treat diabetes

A single change in a person’s DNA can contribute to a range of life-shortening risk factors

Rosiglitazone helps boost the effectiveness of a treatment for opening clogged arteries

Newly discovered gene could be a significant contributor to diabetes in Americans

Lag-3 gene dampens immune responses by controlling regulatory T-cell function

Atypical antipsychotics commonly used to treat children with aggression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia may trigger insulin resistance

Insulin pumps effective for children with diabetes

Discovery of fundamental mechanism within cells that link obesity and type 2 diabetes

Location of body fat on older women can indicate the likelihood of heart disease

Some patients who undergo treatment considered to be the last resort for severe obesity can develop peripheral neuropathy

Insulin sensitizing drugs help thin women as well overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Flu vaccine shortage highlights need to accelerate the approval of affordable generic biopharmaceuticals and vaccines

The search for the Holy Grail for dieters is on

Short-term exercise has a significant impact on insulin action in overweight people

Statistics reveal that there are now 1.8 million people with diabetes in the UK

Understanding how microbes in the gut interact with the body could lead to new a understanding and novel treatments for diseases

Interleukin-6 has potential as a therapeutic drug in treating metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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