Cleanliness is next to Godliness but being too clean could raise your risk of getting diabetes, a new study has suggested.

Researchers in Britain have carried out the study and found that a lack of exposure to bacteria and viruses during childhood may lead to an increased chance of high blood sugar and related diseases.

In fact, according to them, exposure to some forms of “friendly” bacteria prevents the onset of type 1 diabetes, which often develops in childhood, where the immune system launches an attack on cells that produce insulin.

They came to the conclusion after carrying out an experiment on genetically-modified mice that lacked the part of the immune system which responded to bacteria, the Daily Mail reported.

The researchers found that 80 per cent of the mice raised in a completely germ-free environment, and therefore lacking “friendly” gut bacteria, developed severe diabetes.

However, when they gave the mice a cocktail of the usual bacteria found in the gut, the incidence of diabetes fell dramatically — the results are published in the latest edition of the Nature journal.

“Understanding the relationship between our gut flora and our immune system is extremely important. The objective now is to identify which friendly bacteria are having this effect, and how they stop the development of type 1 diabetes,” lead researcher prof. Susan Wong of Bristol University said.

However, the findings does not relate to type 2 diabetes, the much more common form of the disease linked to obesity and lifestyle.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co (4502.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Wednesday it had applied for approval to market in the United States the SYR-322 and the Actos diabetes drugs in a single tablet for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Takeda is currently waiting for U.S. approval of the SYR-322, a successor candidate for its best-selling Actos which will lose patent protection in the world’s largest drug market in 2011.

“It is the world’s first drug combining alogliptin (the generic name of SYR-322) and pioglitazone (the generic name of Actos). We see this providing us with a major foothold in coping with the impact of the patent expiry for Actos,” said Takeda spokeswoman Ayako Iwamuro.

Takeda made the application for the combination drug on Sept 19 and expects to receive approval in about 10 months at the earliest, she said.

Shares of Takeda ended the morning up 0.6 percent at 5,290 yen on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Yumiko Nishitani; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Diabetes research and awareness received a big boost thanks to a generous gift of more than $100,000 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) raised by Thomas McInerney, owner and president of McInerney’s Woodhaven Chrysler Jeep.
McInerney’s son, James A. McInerney, suffered from the disease and had a fatal heart attack in January 2007. McInerney created the first annual Jimmy McInerney Memorial Golf Classic, held August 19th at the Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby Township, to raise money to combat diabetes. As a result of the inaugural event, McInerney presented a $100,000 check to the JDRF September 21.
“My wife, Jacqueline and I, along with Jimmy’s widow, Debbie and their daughter, Hayley, thought about how we could best pay tribute to our son and honor his memory,” McInerney said. “We’re delighted that we not only raised a lot of money, but raised awareness as well about diabetes.
“McInerney’s Woodhaven Chrysler Jeep has had a long history of supporting our hometown community, but this was a project that was close to home. We really understood the importance of reaching out to spread our message to as many people as possible.”
McInerney joined forces with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and together with the sponsors and volunteers, came up with the event — a day of golf, entertainment, auctions and guest speakers.
“Diabetes is a growing threat to our community and the McInerney’s help in raising funds gets us one step closer to a cure,” said Jim Slaughter, executive director of JDRF’s Southeast Michigan chapter. “Although focused on finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes, our research benefits both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics — which combined effect an estimated 25 million Americans,” Slaughter adds.
The JDRF is the leading funder and advocate of Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. Type 1 Diabetes is a disease which strikes children and young adults suddenly and requires injections or infusion of insulin daily to stay alive. The disease can lead to kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke and amputation. As many as 3 million people in the U.S. have Type 1 diabetes.
“We are already gearing up for next year’s event,” McInerney said. “Together, we think we can make some real progress in knocking out juvenile diabetes.”
About McInerney’s Woodhaven Chrysler Jeep: McInerney’s Woodhaven Chrysler Jeep is a member of the Chrysler Jeep Superstores Advertising Association. The Chrysler Jeep Superstores Advertising Association is a group of 39 independently owned Chrysler Jeep Superstores in Southeast Michigan from Monroe to Fowlerville and from Clinton to Port Huron.