Perspectives on Diabetes Care

In case you missed it

Jan 20, 2015, 00:00 AM

From the start of my blogging “career”, I have found it to be very motivational.  I make it a point to set aside time to look through magazines, read other blogs and generally look for interesting items to share with you, my CDE colleagues.  I realize that I am very fortunate to be able to focus on only diabetes and its related co-morbidities.  I know many of you wear multiple hats at work.   Here are a couple of items I found interesting.  I think I will call this edition of my blog – In case you missed it.

Increased interest in the role of brown fat in diabetes.  
I have run across numerous articles looking at the role of brown fat.  According to these articles, human fat consists of white and brown adipose tissue – better known as white fat and brown fat.  The distribution of white fat significantly affects metabolic risk – making it the “bad fat”.  We all know that increased intra-abdominal and visceral fat is associated with a higher risk of metabolic disease.  Increased subcutaneous fat in the thighs and hips has been found to contribute little or no risk of metabolic disease. This is the classic “gut vs butt” discussion.  Though most of the fat we have is energy-storing white fat, the thermogenic capacity of even small amounts of brown fat makes it an attractive target for antiobesity and antidiabetes therapies.   Over the past 2 to 3 years, there has been an explosion of interest and increasing knowledge about brown fat, also referred to as “good fat”.  Once thought to be basically benign, researchers have discovered fat to be a major part of the endocrine system.  Recently, the primary focus has shifted to find ways to increase energy expenditure.  The most recent article I read discussed the making or creating of more brown fat.  This same article reported that people, who slept in bedrooms where the temperature is less than 62 degrees, seem to have more brown fat.  I suggest we all check our bedroom thermostats!
Implanted long release exenitide.  
One of our research endocrinologists stopped me in the hallway the other day to ask me about referring class patients who may be interested in participating in a new study.  This study will be investigating a new long release exenitide.  The way I understood it, this new “device” will release exenitide over a 6 month period.  Although he did not have all the details just yet, it reminds me of the “matchstick” implantable device used for birth control.   We have come a long way – from twice daily exenitide injections, to daily injections, currently weekly injections.  This would be really exciting – you go to your doctor’s office every 6 months for your exenitide implant.   WOW!   I will share more info with you as I get it.
New obesity drug.  
December 26, 2014 the FDA approved Saxenda to treat obesity.  Saxenda is a GLP-1 and requires a daily injection. (Sounds similar to a diabetes drug we know). Saxenda joins Contrave, an obesity pill approved in Sept.

Hope you are having a great New Year!!