British-based website Scientist Live reports on a possible link between cancer and the use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), a class of medications used to treat diabetes. The link comes from the Vermont Diabetes Information System, which enrolled just over one thousand participants in a study that relied on self-reported patient information and lab-verified data. The authors of the study assert that the link between TZD use and increased incidence of cancer is significant even after correcting data to allow for the influence of other factors such as smoking, body mass index, and other drugs being taken by the patients.

A little background: TZDs are prescribed because they lower blood sugar levels. They work by lowering insulin resistance, making the body better able to respond to insulin without actually causing an increase in insulin production. Brand name examples of TZDs include Actos, Avandia and Metformin. A type of TZD medication was banned in Europe after it was found to cause severe liver damage. According to the Wikipedia entry on TZDs, these substances are being investigated as potential treatments for a handful of other medical problems, but are currently used just for diabetes.

If there is indeed a link between TZD usage and increased cancer risk, we really need to find out ASAP. These drugs are prescribed to treat a chronic condition, so once you're on one you're likely to stay on it long-term. Who wants to be exposed to that on top of all the other possible side-effect risks? Stay tuned.

In 1996 a 41 year old male (a type 1 diabetic for 18 years) was injected with biocapsules containing pig islets to regulate his blood sugar level. The transplanted cells helped reduce the patient's insulin requirement by 34% for over a year, which provided better control. By 2005 the patient's glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) remained lower than the pre-transplant levels.

Ten years later, the patent contacted Living Cell Technologies to inform them that he believed the transplanted pig islets were still alive and well. After tests were conducted, it was concluded that the pig cells were (as he reported) still functioning. This proved that the LCT patented technology for xenotransplantation was effective. It allows the islets to survive at least ten years in a micro-capsule coating and continue to release insulin into the patient's bloodstream without immune suppression. After tests we conducted on the type of insulin present in the patients blood - it was with 100% certainty that it was pig and not human insulin.

LCT has significantly advanced the encapsulation process since the 1996 clinical trial and there is an even greater understanding and control over the longevity and robustness of the encapsulation process, as well as the porcine islet cells. LCT will be trialing the DiabeCell pig islet cell transplant in patients in a phase I/IIa clinical trial, expected to begin in Quarter 2, 2007. In addition, LCT is awaiting approval to conduct an additional trial in New Zealand this year with a different treatment protocol. Subsequent trials in the US or Europe are intended following initial results from these studies.

If overseas trials are coming through with flying colors - why aren't we doing this yet? C'mon USA - where's your competitive spirit? All these pigs up in Spring Point might be put to good use, after all. Oink Oink.

Although the United States clearly takes the cake (and devours every last piece of it) as the fattest country in the world, there are many European nations who also seem to be indulging a bit too much these days. With cases of type 2 diabetes being diagnosed concurrently with rising obesity rates, this is clearly an issue that deserves worldwide attention.

Tipping the scales with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 is -- well, that's us here in the good ol' U.S. of A. Not far behind, however, are the following nations:

~ Italy: 24.3 (The pasta diet - "I never walk pasta good meal!")

~ France: 24.5 (These 'Francy' eaters are also reaching for their namesake fries and toast)

~ Poland: 24.8 (Sausages Warsaw being eaten by the dozen)

~ Netherlands: 24.9 ("Hollandaise Me")

~ Belgium: 25.1 (Also known as 'Bulgium')

~ United Kingdom: 25.4 (United under what king? The Burger King?)

~ Hungary: 25.6 (Not anymore)

~ Finland: 25.8 ("F" inland, it's time to start jogging to the outer land, too)

~ Greece: 25.9 (Enough said)

BMI plays a crucial role in our cardiovascular health and risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Clearly, the growing waistline problem is not limited to the borders of the United States, making these diseases a global risk.