Monthly Archives: March 2017

People with diabetes have a significantly higher risk for heart attack. Now, new research suggests that diabetes damages the small blood vessels around the heart, and this might explain the link to heart attack. In a study reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the researchers also propose a solution may lie in gene therapy.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that arises either because the body does not produce enough insulin (typical of type 1 diabetes) or because it cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (typical of type 2 diabetes). Around 90 percent of people with diabetes have type 2.

Insulin is a hormone that helps keep blood sugar (glucose) under control. Uncontrolled diabetes results in high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, which, over time, damages many parts of the body, including nerves and blood vessels.

The number of people with diabetes worldwide was estimated to be 422 million in 2014, up from 108 million in 1980. The disease is a major cause of blindness, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation

In the United States, there are now more than 29 million people with diabetes, up from 26 million in 2010.

Another 86 million people have prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet in the range for type 2 diabetes.

Fast facts about diabetes

Learn more about diabetes

The new study - led by researchers at Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany - investigates the effect of diabetes on the small blood vessels, or capillaries, that surround the heart. Damage to these can affect the whole of the heart muscle.

The heart's network of veins and arteries and small offshoots into capillaries can be compared to a road traffic network. If one small minor road is blocked, it has little effect on the whole network.

However, if more and more small side roads come to a halt, the traffic on the main roads and highways becomes denser and denser, and eventually the whole system seizes up and a heart attack ensues.

The researchers suggest their findings show how diabetes can have this effect.

They compared samples of heart tissue taken from patients with and without diabetes who underwent heart transplants. The samples from patients with diabetes showed that their hearts had significantly fewer small blood vessels around them.

After running tests in the laboratory, the team also found high levels of blood sugar are linked to loss of pericytes - a type of cell that forms a protective layer around small blood vessels.

The team believes this layer stabilizes the blood vessel and causes the blood vessels to break up when damaged.

The researchers also studied the effect of blood vessel loss in pigs genetically engineered to develop type 1 diabetes that is like the human form. They found the same damage occurred in their hearts.

However, with the help of gene therapy, the team was able to increase production of a protein that stimulates growth of pericytes. This led to new growth of lasting and functioning small blood vessels.

It will be some time before such a treatment is available for use in humans, note the researchers, who also point out how the findings reinforce the importance of diagnosing diabetes early.

One in four people with diabetes do not know they have the disease. First author Dr. Rabea Hinkel, a cardiologist at TUM's university hospital, concludes:

"Diabetes often remains undetected in patients for years or even decades. Over that long period, massive damage can occur."

Learn how taking statins is linked to higher risk of diabetes in older women.

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Diabetes: Heart attack risk due to loss of small blood vessels around the heart - Medical News Today

POMONA >> Healthy eating and healthy living in Pomona will be topics of a forum taking place Saturday morning at Western University of Health Sciences.

The program, organized by Pomonas Health Promoters, will include topics such as diabetes prevention, obesity and the effects of drinking beverages with high sugar content, said Alejandra Martinez, program director of Pomonas Health Promoters.

Pomonas Health Promoters is a group of volunteers who have trained to assist fellow Pomona residents with a variety of issues, particularly health questions.

There are people in the community who are worried about diabetes, Martinez said. But we should be talking about the prevention of diabetes.

Promoters have brought together a group that includes health care professionals, representatives of health policy groups and others to talk about steps to a healthier life. Among the participants are representatives of the Universitys Western Diabetes Institute, City of Hope, Day One and Mt. San Antonio College.

Promoters have heard people talk about exercise and safety. People are interested in getting out of their houses, being more active and engaging in physical activity at local parks, Martinez said.

Some people say, Were going to go the park, but we dont feel safe there, she said. Local officials will be on hand Saturday to hear such concerns.

One of the panelists participating in the program will be Alfredo Camacho-Gonzalez, a healthy communities initiative project coordinator with Day One. The nonprofit works on quality, culturally sensitive public health education, intervention and policy development, according to the organizations website. Specifically, it seeks to increase access to healthy foods, make it easier for people to exercise and offer nutrition education, he said.

Such work is positive but cant end there, he said.

We back it up with policy change, Camacho-Gonzalez said.

The more people take part in activities that are healthy, the more it leads to policy that supports and continues to foster healthy behavior, he said.

Were trying to make healthy behavior the norm through policies and environmental changes, he said.

Pomona is a city where many people grow fruits and vegetables in their gardens, Martinez said. Rather than allowing the fruits and vegetables to go to waste, people can exchange produce, giving people greater access to healthy foods, she said.

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Its about sharing ideas and creating new pathways to healthier eating practices, Martinez said.

Program registration begins at 8 a.m., with a healthy breakfast served at 8:30. The program will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at noon.

Translation services will be available at the event.

The free event will take place at Western Universitys Veterinary Care Center, 611 E. Second St. Parking is available in Lot E on First and Palomares streets.

For information, call Martinez at 909-927-2345.

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Learn how to fight diabetes and obesity in Pomona Saturday - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

CHICAGO (CBS) On the health watch: Diabetes. It is a growing problem in our country, and you may be surprised to know your pet can suffer from diabetes just like you.

CBS 2s Roseanne Tellez has more on the growing incidence of diabetes in pets.

First a kiss, then a tiny pin prick in the ear a pet owner uses a meter specially calibrated for pets to test blood glucose levels.

Chelsea the cat was diagnosed with diabetes.

Cat owner, Eric Ravenstein was surprised to find out his cat, Chelsea, has diabetes.

We were a little shocked as well, and were a little scared because we did not know what it entailed, he said.

Dr. Ruth MacPete said Chelsea is one of a growing number of cats and dogs with diabetes.

Why the increase? Just like with humans, genetics, age and weight all play a role.

We are seeing much more obesity, not just with people, but with pets and with the rise in obesity were seeing an increase in diabetes, said Veterinarian, Dr. Ruth MacPete.

Left untreated, it can be dangerous.

It can lead to nerve damage, kidney disease and also death, Dr. MacPete said.

What are the signs? -increased thirst -increased urination including accidents in the house -increase in appetite even as they lose weight -lethargy

Dr. MacPete said the earlier the diagnosis, the easier it is to treat. Your veterinarian will give you instructions about giving insulin at home.

Diabetes is a manageable condition in dogs and cats just like it is in people, Dr. MacPete said. Pets can live a long happy healthy life. Chelsea is an example of that.

Diet is also very important keeping your pet trim and healthy. You will want to talk to your vet about that and all aspects of dealing with diabetes.

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HealthWatch: Diabetes Is A Growing Problem In Pets - CBS Chicago

Citing a brisk demand for products and a full pipeline of potential new medicines, Eli Lilly and Co. plans to pour $850 million this year into its U.S. research labs, manufacturing plants and other operations, an increase of about $100 million from last year.

About $85 million of that will go to expand a manufacturing operation at the Lilly Technology Center southwest of downtown that assembles Trulicity injection pens for diabetes patients, the company said Friday.

Lilly CEO Dave Ricks said the total investment will fund projects that are already underway, as well as new projects.

As we have for our entire 140-year history, we continue to see Indiana and the United States as attractive places to research and make the medicines that we sell around the world, Ricks said.

The investment is the latest sign that Lilly, one of the largest employers in Indianapolis with about 11,500 jobs, remains bullish on its ability to roll out new products. In the past two years, the drugmaker has launched medicines for cancer, diabetes, psoriasis and other maladies. Company leaders have announced ambitious goals to launch 20 products in 10 years.

The company said the expanded Trulicity plant will be operating using current Lilly manufacturing employees, some of whom might come from elsewhere in the organization. Over the past five years, the company has added about 400 jobs in the city in U.S. diabetes manufacturing.

Ricks said Lilly plans to continue investing in its U.S. facilities, especially if the federal government adopts a more favorable tax environment. That would include lowering the U.S. corporate tax rate, adding certain innovation incentives, and an equitable treatment of foreign earnings, the company said.

Lilly had $28 billion of unremitted foreign earnings stashed overseas as of Dec. 31.

We consider these unremitted earnings to be indefinitely invested for continued use in our foreign operations, the company said in a footnote in its annual report. Additional tax provisions will be required if these earnings are repatriated in the future to the U.S.

Ricks made his comments at a press conference in front of the technology center, where a bright red banner draped across the building at least 30 feet high proclaimed Lilly invested in America.

For more than 140 years, Lilly has believed that investing in the U.S. and hiring U.S. workersincluding right here in our hometownmakes good business sense, Ricks said. Its no different now. What wed really love, however, is to do even more. And with a little help from Congress, I know we can.

Republicans in Congress have proposed a tax overhaul that would give companies more incentives to keep jobs in the United States, lowering the top corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, and to stop taxing the income that U.S. companies make in other countries. The debate over the proposal is expected later this year.

Last year, Lilly paid $636.4 million in income taxes, at a tax rate of 18.9 percent, according to its annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. That was up from $381.6 million a year earlier, at a tax rate of 13.7 percent.

Ricks called the current corporate tax system antiquated, saying the U.S. is the only country that double-taxes the sales of products made here and exported to other countries. He said the system has encouraged companies to expand production overseas.

Mayor Joe Hogsett, a Democrat, applauded Lillys investment but, in an interview afterward, declined to say whether he shared Ricks support of Republican tax reform.

Im staying away from the Washington partisan divide, he said.

Gov. Eric Holcomb called Lillys investment the latest sign that Indianas low-tax, low-regulation business environment is working.

Companies like Eli Lilly can go anywhere in the world, he said. We are a low-tax state and we are benefiting from it.

Lillys expansion is part of a five-year, $1.1 billion investment to expand diabetes products manufacturing in the United States. The company announced in 2012 it would build a $140 million facility for insulin cartridge production in Indianapolis. A year later, it announced it would spend another $180 million to more than double the size of the facility.

More than 400 million people around the world have diabetes, including about 30 million Americans.

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UPDATE: Lilly to invest $85M in Indy as part of diabetes expansion - Indianapolis Business Journal

WACO, Texas -- Trying to please the demanding Kim Mulkey and adjusting from high school to elite college basketball at Baylor could lead to a breakdown for any freshman. But Lauren Cox's major freshman issue had nothing to do with any of that. Her misery before Baylor faced Tennessee on Dec. 4 was all because the biggest challenge of her life -- Type 1 diabetes -- threatened to keep her from playing in the game. Her blood sugar levels were dangerously high.

Cox ended up taking the floor in the Baylor win. Her blood sugar returned to the necessary level to allow her to play. Still, she admits it's been incredibly challenging -- dealing with her condition, working to succeed on the court for a top program and trying to be a freshman in college all at the same time.

"It's been pretty tough," Cox said this week, before Baylor faces Louisville in the Sweet 16 on Friday night (ESPN2/WatchESPN, 9 p.m. ET). "Not having my parents there (at Baylor) is definitely a big challenge. Just managing my levels has been pretty tough but I've had a pretty good handle on it."

As Louisville and Baylor prepare to clash again in the Sweet 16, you can't help but look back at the Cardinals' epic upset in 2013. So much has changed, but the Lady Bears remain the favorite.

Natalie Chou can't help the comparisons to Linsanity as she attempts to shatter stereotypes. From pro-style workouts with Jason Terry to navigating her first year at Baylor, this is her story.

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On the court, Cox has flashed the potential that made her the top recruit in the country. She has been a key reserve for Mulkey, earning the Big 12 Sixth Man Award while being named to the All-Freshman team after averaging 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

That is even more impressive considering Cox has to watch and count every carb she eats. The 6-foot-4 power forward, who has dealt with her condition since she was 7, pricks her finger up to 12 times a day to watch her blood sugar. She takes insulin before she eats and has to test her levels before, during and after practices and games. She will check her levels every hour in practice, with the Baylor trainers keeping an eye on her.

Otherwise, the consequences of playing with high blood sugar levels can be devastating.

"It is really bad on my body," Cox said. "In the long term, I can lose limbs, lose my eyesight -- that kind of stuff; if it gets really bad, it can take years off of my life, and I have to make sure I have a good handle on it."

That is why Mulkey vowed to Cox's parents that she wouldn't play their daughter with high blood sugar and risk her health. Before that Tennessee game, Mulkey was prepared not to play Cox in Baylor's first game on ESPN2 this season.

"Initially when I found out that it was too high, she was a basket case," Mulkey said. "She had a meltdown and wanted to play and I had to be stern with her and tell her, 'While you may have played like this throughout your career, I made a commitment to your parents that your health is most important. And you are not going to play until [your numbers] get to a reasonable level.'"

Cox played a total of seven minutes while battling foul trouble in Baylor's 88-66 win over Tennessee.

"I can get really frustrated just with myself, and it is really hard not being able to play and not being able to contribute," Cox said. "And if my team needs me, just not being able to be out there."

So far in her first NCAA tournament, Cox has posted a total of 24 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks in 41 combined minutes through Baylor's first two wins.

Entering the season, Cox said she hoped to use the visibility that comes with playing for a premier women's program such as Baylor to help educate and inspire others who live with Type 1 diabetes.

Baylor hosted a Type 1 Diabetes Awareness Night earlier this season, and Cox hopes to be a role model as her career goes on in college and beyond.

"That's a big thing," Cox said. "I feel like doctors may say, 'Oh, you have to cut down on this sport' or something like that -- 'just because you have diabetes.' I just want to show them that you can do anything that you set your mind to."

Mulkey has had to learn how to handle her coveted freshman's emotions when it comes to dealing with daily ups and downs that can come with Type 1 diabetes.

"I realize she is tender when it comes to her diabetes and yet she is tough because it is something she has had to cope with since she was 7 years old," Mulkey said. "It has not affected her ability; it has not affected how great of a player she is and will continue to be.

"It's kind of, in her words, a nuisance. It's our job as leaders of this program to make sure that she understands: Your health and safety come first, and make sure your levels are where they are supposed to be when you play."

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Lauren Cox juggles Type 1 diabetes in first season at Baylor - ESPN