Examination of a gene involved in cell signaling finds that four common variants of this gene are associated with the development of end-stage renal disease in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study in the August 25 issue of JAMA. Renal (kidney) failure is an important cause of death among patients with type 2 diabetes. Asian populations appear to be particularly at risk of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and compared with white individuals, Asian patients have a higher risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), according to background information in the article…

(MedPage Today) — Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes may contribute to the development of one type of brain plaque linked to Alzheimer’s disease, according to an autopsy study.

This year, thousands of people in communities across the country will join the movement to Stop Diabetes® by participating in the American Diabetes Association’s Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes event. Step Out is a fundraising walk that takes place in more than 140 cities to raise awareness about diabetes and to raise much needed funds to help change the future of this growing epidemic that is taking a physical, emotional and financial toll on our country…

Individuals with Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease because they are more likely to develop plaques in the brain associated with Azheimer’s, says a new report published in the medical journal Neurology, issued August 25th, 2010. Insulin resistance is one stage before diabetes, when insulin becomes less effective in reducing blood sugar levels. Study author Kensuke Sasaki, MD, PhD, from Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, said: Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease are two epidemics growing at alarming levels around the world …

On August 23rd, a federal district judge issued a temporary ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Stem cell research holds great promise for the treatment of millions of Americans with debilitating and possibly fatal diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. Because of the court injunction, the NIH reports that it will not review grant applications involving stem cell research, and similar grants that are up for renewal will not be funded…

People with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes appear to be at an increased risk of developing plaques in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research published in the August 25, 2010, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Insulin resistance, or the stage before diabetes, happens when insulin, a hormone in the body, becomes less effective in lowering blood sugar…

Tranzyme Pharma announced that John Wo, MD, Professor of Medicine, Director, Clinical Research, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, will present ulimorelin Phase 2 data at this year’s Joint International NGM Meeting on Saturday, August 28, 2010. The conference is being held at the Westin Copley Place in Boston, MA. Professor Wo is scheduled to speak at 11:00am during Oral Session 3…

The American Diabetes Association is extremely disappointed by the federal district court decision yesterday blocking the federal government from funding research involving embryonic stem cells. President Obama’s Executive Order in March of 2009 assisted advancement of stem cell research by lifting existing restrictions on the use of embryonic stem cells, while maintaining strict ethical guidelines. Even prior to that Order, federal funding of stem cell research was permitted on a limited number of previously-existing stem cell lines…

(MedPage Today) — The diabetes drug pioglitazone (Actos) carries cardiac risk similar to that found for embattled sister compound rosiglitazone (Avandia), according to an analysis of an administrative claims database.

A new analysis of diabetes medications Avandia (rosiglitazone) and Actos (pioglitazone) revealed that the risk of heart attack and/or heart failure, or death were the same, approximately 4%. The study has been published in the latest issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal. Takeda Pharmacuetical Co. makes Actos, while GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) makes Avandia.