A certain class of oral drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes can double the risk of heart failure in patients, warn a group of group of researchers led by an Indian origin researcher.

Sonal Singh, assistant professor of internal medicine, and Curt D. Furberg, M.D., Ph.D., professor of public health sciences, from Wake Forest University School of Medicine faculty members have said that thiazolidinediones can exacerbate heart attack risk.

New research from Rhode Island Hospital found that obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) can contribute to mild neurodegeneration with features common with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) – the first study to show that obesity can cause neurodegeneration. The study appeared in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Volume 15:1 (September 2008) .

Eli Lilly (LLY.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Daiichi Sankyo’s (4568.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) new blood-thinning drug prasugrel appears better for diabetes patients than Plavix, researchers said on Sunday.

Prasugrel — a rival to Plavix from Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) — is a key product for Lilly and Daiichi. But its path to market has been delayed and the drug has been associated with serious bleeding.

This may be the Labor Day weekend in the US, but in Munich, leading cardiologists and pharmaceutical mavens are gathering for the annual European Society of Cardiology meeting, which began today and runs through Wednesday.

Beyond the usual stream of clinical trials, the most sensational story is likely to be the final results of the Vytorin SEAS study. Preliminary data showed an unexpected linked to cancer. The full picture will be presented Tuesday morning. Meanwhile…

Eli Lilly (LLY.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Daiichi Sankyo’s (4568.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) new blood-thinning drug prasugrel appears better for diabetes patients than Plavix, researchers said on Sunday.

Prasugrel — a rival to Plavix from Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) — is a key product for Lilly and Daiichi. But its path to market has been delayed and the drug has been associated with serious bleeding.

Scientists at Harvard University have coaxed pancreas cells in mice to produce insulin without taking the cells out of mice, giving pro-lifers hope that diabetes may one day be cured without embryo-destroying research.

Insulin-producing cells are destroyed in diabetes. The idea of “reprogramming” cells to produce insulin –without destroying embryos – gives those suffering from diabetes hope for an ethical treatment.

Wednesday August 27, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) — Forget about stem cells research! Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Children’s Hospital in Boston have found a way for them to bypass stem cells to make special cells directly from adult cells, according to a study report released in the journal Nature.

Specifically, the researchers were able to turn adult cells into insulin producing beta cells, which is what type 1 diabetes patients need to produce insulin and metabolize blood sugar.

Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. on Tuesday reported four new deaths in patients taking Byetta, even as the companies tried to shore up the safety profile of their popular diabetes medication.

The announcement comes a week after the Food and Drug Administration said two Byetta patients died of acute pancreatitis, sinking shares of both drugmakers. An executive from Eli Lilly said the FDA was aware of the additional deaths but did not announce them because they involved a milder form the pancreatitis. The condition can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

HealthPartners today announced new dental benefits for pregnant women and people with diabetes. The new benefits provide 100 percent coverage for extra dental exams and cleanings and preventive periodontal services with no deductibles, coinsurance or annual maximums. The new benefits are designed to improve oral health which research shows can help prevent medical complications among pregnant women and people with diabetes.

London (PTI): Legendary Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan, who is in Britain as part of his worldwide star- studded ‘Unforgettable Tour’, underwent a diabetes test before hundreds of his fans in Leicester to support the cause of health awareness.

Hours before his concert at the O2 arena in Docklands, Bachchan inaugurated the Silver Star Appeal charity on Saturday.