Diabetes

Posted on Cancer, Diabetes

Individuals with type 2 diabetes at higher risk of certain cancers could be identified through a simple blood test.

Higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 found to be associated with higher risk of a range of cancers; a healthy lifestyle and good blood sugar control could cut inflammation and cancer risk
Higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 are associated with a higher risk of various cancers. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and maintaining good blood sugar control may reduce inflammation and the risk of developing cancer.

At this year’s Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Madrid from September 9th to 13th, it will be discussed that a simple blood test could help identify individuals with type 2 diabetes who are at higher risk of certain cancers. People with type 2 diabetes are known to have a higher risk of developing cancers related to obesity, such as breast, kidney, womb, thyroid, ovarian, colorectal, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal cancers, as well as multiple myeloma. It is believed that chronic low-grade inflammation, which is common in both obesity and type 2 diabetes, plays a significant role in the development of cancer in these conditions.

Mathilde Dahlin Bennetsen and colleagues from the Steno Diabetes Center Odense explored whether differences in levels of proinflammatory cytokines could help identify individuals with type 2 diabetes at higher risk of certain cancers. This could lead to more targeted monitoring, early detection, and personalized treatment.

The study involved 6,466 members of the Danish Centre for Strategic Research in Diabetes (DD2) cohort, who were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. At the start of the study, levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured.

The participants were divided into three groups based on their IL-6 levels: the lowest third (IL6 < 0.94 pg/ml), the middle third (0.94-1.58 pg/ml) and the highest third (>1.58 pg/ml). They were then followed for a median of 8.8 years, during which 327 developed an obesity-related cancer. Higher levels of IL-6 at baseline were associated with a greater risk of developing an obesity-related cancer.

When the results were adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration, alcohol consumption, waist circumference, physical activity, HbA1c (a measure of how well blood sugar is controlled), triglyceride levels, use of lipid-lowering drugs and use of diabetes medication, those in the highest group had a 51% higher risk of developing an OR cancer compared with those in the lowest group.TNF-alpha and hsCRP were only weakly associated with OR cancers compared to IL-6.

Taking smoking status into account did not alter the results. Additionally, when the researchers included baseline IL-6 levels along with other known risk factors for obesity-related cancers, it resulted in a slight but significant improvement in the ability to predict whether an individual would develop one of these cancers.

The inclusion of TNF-alpha or hsCRP did not enhance the predictive models, while higher IL-6 levels were found to be associated with the development of OR cancers in patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Ms. Bennetsen suggested that a simple blood test in the future could help identify those at higher risk of these cancers. However, additional research is necessary to determine if such testing would improve early detection and management of these cancers.

Ms Bennetsen adds: “Understanding that higher levels of inflammation can indicate a greater risk of certain cancers highlights the importance of regular check-ups and effective diabetes management.“Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and adhering to treatment plans can potentially help manage inflammation and reduce cancer risk.”

Posted on Diabetes

“Mankai reduces post-meal sugar levels in diabetics.”

Researchers aim to improve diabetes management in rural and urban communities with low-cost intervention

A groundbreaking clinical trial carried out at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, and the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has shown that consuming Mankai, a newly cultivated aquatic plant after meals can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. The study revealed that Mankai’s effect on lowering blood sugar levels is similar to that of certain medications.

High blood sugar, especially after meals, poses significant health risks for individuals with type 2 diabetes. This condition is often worsened by insulin resistance, which reduces the effectiveness of insulin in muscles and the liver. Chronic high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, affect the peripheral nervous system, and increase the risk of severe complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and reduced sensation in extremities.

Prof. Amir Tirosh from Sheba Medical Center, Dr Gal Tsaban, and Prof. Iris Shai from Ben-Gurion University conducted a study on the effects of Mankai on post-meal blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Mankai is known for its high protein, dietary fiber, and antioxidant content. The study, which was published in Obesity, Diabetes, and Metabolism earlier this month, found that consuming a Mankai beverage after dinner resulted in approximately a 20% reduction in post-meal blood sugar levels, lower peak sugar levels, and a faster return to baseline levels. This positive effect was observed in about two-thirds of the participants.

During the trial, 45 participants with diabetes and A1c levels between 6.5% and 8.5% were involved. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. One group consumed a 300 ml Mankai drink after dinner for two weeks, while the other group drank an equivalent volume of water. After two weeks, the groups switched interventions for another two weeks. Blood sugar levels were continuously monitored using glucose sensors and standard laboratory tests throughout the study.

“Mankai, which grows naturally in water and is now cultivated under controlled conditions, has shown promise in previous research for improving vascular and brain health, reducing abdominal and liver fat, and positively influencing the microbiome. Early studies also suggest that Mankai may help lower post-meal blood sugar levels, even in individuals without diabetes.”

Posted on Dementia, Diabetes

“A healthy lifestyle may help counteract the effects of ageing on the brain associated with diabetes.”

Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are associated with accelerated brain ageing, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the journal Diabetes Care. The good news is that this may be counteracted by a healthy lifestyle.
Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are linked to accelerated brain aging, according to a recent study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, published in the journal Diabetes Care. The good news is that a healthy lifestyle may help counteract this effect.

It is known that type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for dementia, but the impact of diabetes and its early stages, known as prediabetes, on brain aging in individuals without dementia is unclear. A recent comprehensive brain imaging study indicates that both diabetes and prediabetes may be associated with accelerated brain aging.

The study involved over 31,000 individuals aged between 40 and 70 from the UK Biobank who had undergone a brain MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging). The researchers utilized a machine learning approach to calculate the brain age in comparison to the individual’s actual age.

Sure! Here’s the revised text:People with prediabetes were found to have brains that appeared 0.5 years older than their actual age, while those with diabetes had brains that appeared 2.3 years older. For individuals with poorly controlled diabetes, their brains looked more than four years older than their actual age. The researchers also observed that the difference between brain age and actual age slightly increased over time for people with diabetes. However, these associations were less pronounced in individuals with high levels of physical activity who did not smoke or consume large amounts of alcohol.

“Having a brain that appears older than one’s chronological age can indicate a deviation from the normal aging process and may serve as an early warning sign for dementia,” says Abigail Dove, the lead author of the study and a PhD student at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society at the Karolinska Institutet. “On the positive side, it seems that individuals with diabetes may be able to positively influence their brain health through healthy living.”

Repeated MRI data were available for only a small percentage of the study participants. Follow-up MRI scans are ongoing, and researchers are now continuing to study the link between diabetes and brain aging over time.

“There’s a high and growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the population,” says Abigail Dove. “We hope that our research will help prevent cognitive impairment and dementia in people with diabetes and prediabetes.”

Posted on Diabetes

“New diabetes research establishes a connection between blood glucose levels and voice.”

Klick Labs’ latest findings highlight potential for voice-based blood sugar monitoring; discovery follows scientists’ pioneering work using vocal biomarkers and AI to detect Type 2 diabetes
Klick Labs’ latest research emphasizes the potential for voice-based blood sugar monitoring. This discovery follows scientists’ innovative use of vocal biomarkers and AI to detect Type 2 diabetes.

Klick Labs has just published a new study in Scientific Reports that confirms the connection between blood glucose levels and voice pitch. This discovery could lead to advancements in non-invasive glucose monitoring for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, potentially enhancing health outcomes.

In the study “Linear Effects of Glucose Levels on Voice Fundamental Frequency in Type 2 Diabetes and Individuals with Normoglycemia,” researchers examined how blood glucose levels affect voice frequency in 505 participants with different glycemic statuses—non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, and type 2 diabetic. The participants wore continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and recorded their voices several times a day for two weeks. The analysis showed a linear relationship: as CGM glucose levels increased, the fundamental frequency of the voice also increased.

“By establishing a significant positive association between glucose levels and fundamental frequency, our study provides compelling justification for more research on using voice to predict and monitor glucose levels,” said Jaycee Kaufman, lead author and scientist at Klick Labs. “Current glucose monitoring methods are often invasive and inconvenient, but voice-based glucose monitoring could be as easy as talking into a smartphone. This could change the game for the estimated 463 million people around the world living with Type 2 diabetes.”

Posted on Alzheimer's, Dementia, Diabetes

“Diabetes drugs may help prevent dementia.”

Metformin highly effective in targeting diabetes and some cancers but potentially dangerous with others

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, which are used to treat type 2 diabetes, may have the potential to prevent dementia, offering increased benefits with prolonged use, according to a large study from Korea published by The BMJ.

As this study was observational, the researchers note that the effect size could have been overestimated. They say randomised controlled trials are now necessary to confirm these findings.

According to the World Health Organization, the global number of people with dementia is expected to reach 78 million by 2030, and there is an association between type 2 diabetes and a higher risk of developing dementia.

A recent study of individuals over 65 with type 2 diabetes suggested a lower risk of dementia associated with SGLT-2 inhibitors compared to another type of diabetes drug, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. However, the impacts on younger individuals and specific types of dementia (such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia) are still not fully understood.

Researchers used the Korea National Health Insurance Service database to identify 110,885 pairs of adults aged 40-69 with type 2 diabetes. The adults were free of dementia and began taking either an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a DPP-4 inhibitor between 2013 and 2021.

All participants (with an average age of 62; 56% of whom were men) were matched by age, sex, use of the diabetes drug metformin, and baseline cardiovascular risk. They were followed up for an average of 670 days to determine the development of dementia.

Potentially influential factors, such as personal characteristics, income level, underlying risk factors for dementia, other conditions, and related medication use, were also considered.

During the follow-up period, a total of 1,172 participants who had been newly diagnosed with dementia were identified.

Dementia rates per 100 person-years were 0.22 for those using SGLT-2 inhibitors and 0.35 for those using DPP-4 inhibitors. This corresponds to a 35% reduced risk of dementia associated with the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors compared with DPP-4 inhibitors.

The researchers also found a 39% reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease, and a 52% reduced risk for vascular dementia associated with SGLT-2 inhibitors compared with DPP-4 inhibitors.

What’s more, the effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors seemed more pronounced with longer treatment duration. A 48% reduced risk of dementia was seen for more than two years of treatment versus a 43% reduced risk for two years or less.

“This study is observational, so no definite conclusions can be made about cause and effect. The authors also mention that specific details about health behaviors (such as smoking and alcohol consumption) and the duration of type 2 diabetes were not fully available.”

However, the researchers emphasize that this was a significant study based on nationally representative data, which included relatively younger individuals with type 2 diabetes, and the results were highly consistent across subgroups.

As such, they say SGLT-2 inhibitors might prevent dementia, providing greater benefits with longer treatment, and they call for randomised controlled trials to confirm these findings.

Researchers from Taiwan stated in a connected editorial that this study presents encouraging results with significant implications for clinical practice and public health.

They agree that further trials are needed to confirm these findings, and suggest that studies are also needed “to explore the underlying mechanisms of any neuroprotective effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors.”

As no cure currently exists for dementia and few effective treatment options are available, strategies that can potentially prevent onset are critically important, they write. 

The substantial socioeconomic and public health burdens associated with both dementia and type 2 diabetes highlight the need for regular updates to clinical guidelines and healthcare policies. These updates should incorporate the latest evidence on the potential benefits of SGLT-2 inhibitors, including the reduced risk of dementia.