Bev did a great job covering the study of obese mice having protection from elevated blood sugar due to a plethora of adiponectin. Adiponectin was shown to enhance insulin signaling which transported the excess glucose to less harmful areas of the body, rather than the cells which would endure diabetes complications. The results of this study created a condition called ratones mórbidamente obesos - which sounds better in Spanish because in English this means morbidly obese mice.

You know what they say about hindsight, right? A study from a year ago revealed some good news and some bad news. Good news first - turns out Type 2 diabetes drugs using troglitazone increased adiponectin. Rezulin was one of these drugs, but it was removed from the US market March 21, 2000. Now the bad news, the Type 2 diabetes drugs made with metformin were shown to reduce adiponectin. A few of the drugs that use metformin are Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, and Riomet.

So why must diabetics be led with imperfect vision? Because the bottom line is researchers and doctors believe they are saving lives every day. Yes, they do. But there is a lot to behold when you tinker with His design. Remember the movie Malice? These lines don't make it into movies for nothing. Producers know human nature and they stretch it to the extreme. Whether or not you want to admit it - you know a few people with a complex like Alec Baldwins. Alec Baldwin says, "You ask me if I have a God complex. Let me tell you something: I am God". Click for the entire 1:30 scene, courtesy of YouTube.

The Rusing family of Tucson, Arizona, run a remarkably successful lemonade stand. The stand began as a way to keep the kids occupied, but turned into a bit of a money maker. It's been so successful, in fact, that it's now in the running for the title of Best Lemonade Stand in America. Yes! There is such a thing. Cute, huh?

The Rusings donate the proceeds from the stand to diabetes research. The stand is named "The Mighty Quinns" for Quinn Rusing. Quinn, who is four-years-old, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age three. He helps run the lemonade stand, along with mom, Carolyn, and six-year-old twin sisters, Cali and Olivia. The secret to their success appears to be the free cookies. That's right. Free Famous Amos cookies with each 25-cent glass of lemonade purchased.

Spot anything odd about this story? Lemonade stand with free cookies as a diabetes fundraiser?? Um, what about all that sugar?! I spotted this story about the Rusings on the Tucson Citizen website. Another reader has posted this comment: "With 60 grams of sugars in a 12 ounce glass, the shareholders of Bristol-Myers-Squibb and Merck are gonna be in real good shape."

Scientists from all over the world will meet up in Seattle October 22-23 to attend the Warren G. Magnuson Congress for a Global Diabetes Alliance. The initiative is intended to help fight the rapid rise of type 2 diabetes worldwide. International Diabetes Federation past president Pierre Lefebvre, who will be a speaker at the conference, says the need for such an alliance to fight the T2 global epidemic "could not be more urgent."

More than one hundred diabetes experts hailing from over twenty countries will attend the congress. There's one main goal: the discussion of how to help under-served populations, such as indigenous peoples. However, the more general problems - prevention, treatment and the possibility of a cure - will also be on the table. It is also hoped that the alliance can help change public perception of type 2 diabetes as a disease associated with affluence, when in fact it is spreading faster in poor, developing countries where people frequently lack access to medical care.

Organizers say this is the first global alliance on diabetes. Speaking of organizers: who's behind this anyway? Well, it's being convened by the Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI). Incoming president of the American Diabetes Association, Dr. Paul Robertson, is president and scientific director of the PNRI. Warren G. Magnuson, for whom the conference is named, was a US senator and supporter of the sciences who died from diabetes complications in 1989.

The ADA and PNRI's Dr. Robertson is optimistic the organization can effect change: "The response from top experts from around the world to develop a global, multidisciplinary, collaborative endeavor focused on clinical research on diabetes has been overwhelming."

The recent attack on diabetes specialist William Petit Jr. and his family is the most horrific thing I've read in the news lately. William Petit is prominent in the world of diabetes research. He is medical director of the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain. The hospital is an affiliate of the Joslin Diabetes Center.

The New York Times has plenty of coverage for those who care to read about it. There's a two-pager on the nature of the crime. This came out yesterday and describes how Petit was beaten and bound by two intruders to his Cheshire, Connecticut, home on July 23. The criminals sexually assaulted the family's two girls, forced Petit's wife Jennifer to withdraw $15,000 in cash from the local bank, then took her back to the house. The money, I guess, was supposed to be some sort of "ransom" money for the family, but to monsters like this, life is cheap; the mom and two girls were killed anyway. Ms. Petit was strangled to death. The house was set on fire and the daughters were left to die, tied to their beds.

Here's the latest: the two men responsible for the attack appeared in court today in New Haven. They were charged with capital felony murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, burglary, robbery, arson, larceny and risk of injury to children. Prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty. The Times reports that about a dozen members of the Petit family were present at the hearing and issued a written statement to reporters. Dr. Petit himself stayed away. My heart really goes out to the doctor and his family.

Juice manufacturer Old Orchard Brands is expanding its financial support for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). A press release issued by the company announced intentions to give up to one million dollars in new funding. The company hopes to raise money for the JDRF with its Healthy Balance Challenge, in which twenty cents from each sale of Old Orchard Brands Healthy Balance line of low-sugar fruit juices will be donated to the JDRF.

The JDRF accepted Old Orchard's support last year and, according to Old Orchard, the company has pledged $650,000 worth of cash and product donations through 2009. Money raised through the Healthy Balance Challenge will be in addition to that sum. Arnold Donald, CEO of the JDRF, says partners such as Old Orchard Brands "care deeply about the work we do in researching a cure for type 1 diabetes. They continue to support our organization with innovative retail-driven programs that increase funding for research, and that's a rare and valuable partner to have."

You could also say that every dollar in support for the JDRF equals good publicity and increased sales for Old Orchard. Of course, I would never be so cynical.

What is the purpose of body fat? We all have it, some of us a little more than others. As we grow older, some of our diets fall out of balance with our energy needs causing our white fat cells to become swollen.

White fat cells secrete leptin, adiponectin and resistin. Leptin and adiponectin work together in suppressing appetite. Resistin is the newest discovered - and has been found to participate in the inflammatory response and resistence to insulin. It also triggers an immune response to irritation, so it may be the fat cells attempt to shut your piehole because we're not gonna take it. As the white fat cells take on excessive calories they begin swelling, resulting in an inflammatory response.

Inflammation, by definition, is a protective attempt to remove the injurious stimuli (excess calories) and initiate the healing process. As the fat cells dispatch hormones signaling inflammation - one could hypothesize that Type 2 diabetes is a response to an imbalanced diet - calories in versus calories out. So what do our white fat cells do for us? They are designed to store energy for use in times of need. When your body is sending out DEFCON signals of inflammation - I'd say that is a time of need, indeed. Would inducing ketosis till the swelling goes down help?

In December 2006, The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada (SickKids) researchers found that mice injected with capsaicin -- the chemical that makes chili peppers hot -- were rapidly cured of Type 1 diabetes. Now with widespread credence following their discovery, SickKids has partnered with Approach Therapeutics to accelerate the human clinical trials for this cure.

Researchers discovered that Type 1 diabetes is caused by malfunctioning pain nerves surrounding islets. These nerves mistakenly tell the brain that the islets are inflamed and the body creates insulin autoantibodies to destroy them. The researchers injected capsaicin, also known as "substance P", to kill the pancreatic pain nerves. Researchers observed that the injected mice's islet cells began producing insulin normally almost immediately. The nerve cells secrete neuropeptides that tell the islets to release insulin. The nerves weren't secreting enough neuropeptides, causing inflammation resulting in insulin autoantibodies that caused Type 1 diabetes. The researchers also found that the treatments helped curb the insulin resistance that causes Type 2 diabetes.

Thanks to SickKids and Approach Therapeutics for the promising news. Looks like the cure for diabetes could come from a land where universal healthcare lives.

The B.A.D Ride was born ten years ago in Southern California. B.A.D as in Bikers Against Diabetes. Rip Rose, a biker and photojournalist for Easyriders, wanted to bring the biker nation together in the fight against diabetes. Today, that dream is a reality.

On Sunday morning, June 10th, nearly two dozen Harley-Davidson motorcycles roared to life, heading out to Oak Canyon Park in Irvine, where they were joined by hundreds of other riders from Southern California at a fair with bands, food, vendors and a ride-in bike show. Sunday's event marked the ride's 10th anniversary. Rip's B.A.D Ride partners with the American Diabetes Association, and 80% of the money raised goes to diabetes research.

This story goes out to my dad, Bizzle. He's a HOG (a member of the Harley-Davidson Owners Group). He's told me they are the nicest people you will ever meet and that is why he enjoys his open road adventures. It looks like he's right. I think he would love to join a Rip's B.A.D Ride. Those of you HOGs interested in upcoming rides for diabetes, checkout the schedule. Thanks to all those who fire up for the sake of diabetes!

I marvel at the proactive enthusiasm and extraordinary talent of Kamaal and Malcolm Washington. Kamaal, a type 1 diabetic himself, and his brother have developed comic books that tell the stories of children who learn they have diabetes and find themselves visited by Dr. Diabetes.

The comic book spreads awareness about the disease and empowers those who have it. Their comic books have received awards and taken them around the country to speak about diabetes. Kamaal has served as a Children's Congress delegate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, joining hundreds of other young diabetics in testifying before the U.S. Senate about diabetes research support. Going forward, Kamaal and Malcolm want to create their own animated series and perhaps produce a movie.

Kamaal and Malcolm are working on their third diabetes-themed comic. The comic book tells the story of a politician who refuses to increase funds to find a cure for diabetes and the heroes' quest to change that. Spreading awareness, empowering those dealing with the disease and calling upon political forces to make it happen - I think Kamaal and Malcolm are wise beyond their years. There's no stopping these guys and I'm thrilled to be the one telling you about them. May your super comic books empower us all to become super diabetic heroes!

If you've been around the diabetes online community you've certainly heard of Amy Tenderich. Her award-winning site is touted as one of the most influential diabetes sites out there. If you're looking for a gold mine of straight talk and encouragement -- Diabetes Mine is your destination. And now is your chance to speak to the celebrity herself! Amy will be chatting live on Tuesday, May 22, 9pm EST on Diabetes Talkfest.

Her charm comes through, loud and clear, in her cynically optimistic view of the trials of living with diabetes. Her journalistic flair derives from the heart and covers topics like breaking news and inside looks at diabetes research, as well as daily life with diabetes and uncovering the diabetics' deepest hopes and fears. Her all inclusive panache, along with her comedic nuances, make every moment of reading worth it.

Diabetes Mine has been featured in the Wall St. Journal, the UK Guardian, TechCrunch, NPR's Future Tense, and a number of other publications. The most recent feather in Amy's cap was added when she collaborated with Dr. Richard Jackson, a leading physician from Joslin Diabetes Center, to co-author the book Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes. True to form, the book is hailed as the first-ever straightforward guidebook providing a clear strategy for living well with diabetes and avoiding the long-term health damage it can cause. I look forward to the opportunity of chatting with Amy. Hope you all can join us!

Suffering succotash - do you believe the nerve of these scientists professing the antithesis of insulin-dependent diabetes!! Scientist have proven that supplementation of Gymnema sylvestre appears to enhance endogenous insulin production by regeneration of the residual beta cells in insulin-dependent diabetes. Wouldn't this study imply that insulin-dependent diabetes is curable??

GS4, a water-soluble extract of the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, was given to 27 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes on insulin therapy. They received 400 mg per day. Their insulin requirements came down together, along with their fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and glycosylated plasma protein levels. Patients in the study receiving insulin therapy only (without Gymnema sylvestre supplementation) showed no significant reduction in serum lipids, HbA1c or glycosylated plasma proteins when followed up after 10-12 months.

There you have it, folks. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacologyin October 1990 says - there are possible ways to regenerate beta cells in insulin-dependent diabetics, previously believed to be nonexistent and gone forever. Never say never, right Dr. Faustman?

The world famous biochemist, Bernard R. Landau, whose medical research proved invaluable to understanding diabetes, has died in Cleveland at the age of 80.

Dr. Landau focused his research on how the human body processes glucose. By focusing his research on how the liver stores glucose as glycogen, he proved vital in later research of some types of diabetes. In certain diabetes types, complications arise after the body ceases processing glycogen. The former Nobel fellow at Sweden's Karolinska Institute also worked with other scientists in finding out exactly how glucose is broken down inside the body. In the late '50s, Dr. Landau and others investigated how tissues process glucose, especially in the liver, where it is stored as glycogen. He developed methods to follow and measure this metabolism by using radioactive tracers that were infused into bodily tissue. In some types of diabetes, the processing of glycogen is disrupted, leading to further complications.

Bernard Robert Landau was born in Newark. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before receiving his doctorate in organic chemistry from Harvard in 1950. He later received a medical degree, also from Harvard. He is survived by his two sons, Steven and Rodger, and five grandchildren. Thank you for all you have contributed to the scientific community, Dr. Landau.

Just like a referee to normalize play throughout the game - DiaKine Therapeutics is developing ways to normalize the body's immune system.

The new drugs modulate cytokines, part of the body's immune system, which mistakenly attack normal organs and tissue and cause diseases such as: diabetes, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. Research by Dr. Nadler and his collaborators published in 2006 showed that controlling certain cytokines can arrest the progression of, or reverse, type 1 diabetes in an animal model.

The company's first product, IsletLifeLSF Media 1 is designed to improve the viability and insulin producing capabilities of harvested islet cells prior to transplant. This would potentially improve the success rate of the procedure. Additional therapeutics under development by DiaKine include: adjunct therapy to islet cell transplants, halting the progression of type 1 diabetes in newly diagnosed adults, treatment and prevention of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults (LADA), treatment and prevention of insulin requiring type 2 diabetic, treatment and prevention of diabetes complications.

It all sounds like good stuff in the works. Keep an eye on the progress and press releases of DiaKine, as well as their research partner - the Diabetes Research Institute. A lot is happening these days. What else have you seen or heard about in the autoimmune arena?

Many of us fear what we do not know, which could be why the diagnosis of diabetes is so harrowing. Fear no more. Amy Tenderich has teamed up with Dr. Richard Jackson, MD of the Joslin Diabetes Center to shed some light on the heaps of material we must digest to control our diabetes. Amy and Dr. Jackson have simply explained it all in Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes: 5 Essential Health Factors You Can Master to Enjoy a Long and Healthy Life (Marlowe Diabetes Library).

The book is a priceless addition to any diabetic library. It begins by explaining the five tests that are the cornerstones for monitoring your overall health with diabetes. These tests are: A1c, blood pressure, lipids, microalbumin, and an annual eye exam. You may think you know it all because you've been there, done that. But do you really know - what it tests, why it's done, and what your numbers should look like? After you learn what those tests mean to you and your health - Amy and Dr. Jackson help you develop a plan of action. They build a road, paved with easy to understand (and explained remarkably well) information about nutrition, medicine, organic treatments, support, and specialized shopping sites for diabetes.

I was impressed beyond my expectations. Knowing the award winning caliber of work Amy produces, and the integrity of Dr. Jackson's work with Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical - I was looking for a good guidebook on diabetes care. No ma'am. This book is AWESOME! I knew it would be good, Amy. You've outdone yourself, once again. I hope this book motivates everyone who reads it to know their numbers and outlive their diabetes. And when it does - remember us little people, ok? Thanks a million, Amy!

Japanese scientists have discovered an imbalance that leads to the development of type 2 diabetes in mice. A gene called GCK is responsible for sensing changes in blood glucose levels. Researchers found a molecule known as insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) was shown to influence the beta cell mass increase after GCK sensed an increased in blood glucose levels.

The Journal of Clinical Investigation focused on mice with little increase in beta cell mass regardless of a rise in GCK. Researchers found, in healthy mice, the insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) was shown to influence the beta cell mass increase after GCK first sensed an increased in blood glucose levels.

Before a person becomes diabetic, his or her body tries to compensate for the increasing resistance to insulin by upping the amount of insulin secreted and the mass of insulin-secreting cells (beta cells) in the pancreas. Researchers will look for new ways of increasing beta cell mass to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Here's where I get a little confused - another study conducted a few years ago found evidence that a sucrose-rich diet (SRD) produces an increase in the pancreatic beta-cell mass in the rat. I'm neither a rat, nor a scientist - but I think a meeting of the minds behind these two discoveries might result in some forward-thinking treatments for type 2 diabetes. What compels the IRS2 to defy the command center of GCK? Perhaps another piece is missing from the balance of this equation.