Category Archives: Diabetes

Geisinger is hitting the road to make better health easier for people who have diabetes with its Mobile Care Gap bus. The bus is intended to reach those who have a care gap in their preventive health, according to a recent press release.

It offers critical services and screenings to help patients with diabetes manage their health.

The bus stops every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at different locations in the Geisinger footprint. Patients with care gap misses are contacted and scheduled for appointments on the bus no walk-ins are taken, the press release stated.

Staff members also assist in scheduling mammography and colorectal screening services. Three nurses on the bus each see up to 20 patients.

Services provided include height, weight and blood pressure checks, foot exams, diabetic retinopathy eye exams, nephropathy screening (urine collection) and any overdue lab work including phlebotomy services (A1c), according to the press release. Patients can also be vaccinated against pneumonia and flu, when needed.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it closed the care gap on our diabetic population. Patients were missing critical yearly eye exams, kidney checks and blood tests used to monitor how well people are managing blood sugar levels, said Brandie ONeil, care gaps mobile nurse health coordinator. This highlighted the need for a full-service diabetic population care bus to provide patient care to those who need it most. It really turned into something special to be able to serve our patients with diabetes.

The team plans to continue care year-round. During the fall and winter months, when the bus may not be appropriate, the mobile nurses will go into clinics to continue closing diabetic care gaps, according to the press release.

Geisingers Mobile Care Gap bus is one of four mobile units in service. Patients served include those on Geisinger Health Plan, which includes Geisinger Gold (Medicare Advantage). Nurses also help patients identify resources to help them with any other health challenges theyre facing or offer enrollment in programs like Geisinger at Home and Geisinger 65 Forward.

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Geisinger's Mobile Care Gap bus offers care to those with diabetes - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

July 4, 2022 10:26 AM

Posted: July 4, 2022 10:26 AM

Updated: July 5, 2022 4:18 AM

Every time Natalie Wayne climbs a mountain or goes speed skating, sugar pills are part of her equipment. Wright, who lives in Wakefield, Rhode Island, is a certified diabetes educator, an exercise physiologist, and a self-proclaimed exercise nut who happens to have type 1 diabetes. In addition to climbing and skating, she likes to work out on a trampoline and, just to keep things interesting, swing on a trapeze. Wayne has to take steps to keep her blood sugar from crashing while she exercises, but diabetes has never slowed her down. She knows that a good workout boosts both her body and her mind.

Exercising can improve anyones health, but its especially valuable for people with diabetes. Exercise can be crucial for people with diabetes if they are also overweight, especially those with type 2 diabetes, whose weight is a likely contributor to their disease.

Wayne urges all her clients with diabetes to get regular exercise. It can be a tough sell, but she believes in her product. After all, regular exercise greatly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, by far the leading killer of people with diabetes. Exercising also helps to keep the body limber and ward off depression.

For many patients with type 2 diabetes, physical exertion can often rein in high blood sugar as effectively as a medication. Not only does exercise burn extra sugar in the blood, it also helps make the body more sensitive to insulin. While patients who have diabetes will still require medication, some people with type 2 diabetes who embrace exercise and a healthy diet may be able to reduce their medications (under the supervision of their physician).

In fact, the current guidelines from the American Diabetes Association stress that exercise can help patients control their blood sugar. In one study involving nearly 20,000 pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes, researchers concluded that regular physical activity was a major factor influencing the childrens ability to control their blood sugar.

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your doctor has probably already told you to exercise more. If not, its time to have a talk with your doctor about the safest and most effective way to incorporate regular exercise into your plans to stay healthy.

What type of exercise is best?

The American Diabetes Association recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise thats just a little more than 20 minutes a day and two sessions of resistance exercises a week unless your doctor recommends against it. Theres no single plan that works for everyone. In general, the best exercises are the ones that youll actually do and enjoy. If youre otherwise in good health, theres no limit to the kinds of workout you can try. People with diabetes are out there playing football, climbing rock faces, and running marathons. Theyre also walking around the block and taking water aerobics classes and playing catch with their children. And theyre all doing something good for their bodies.

Why do I need to see my doctor before I start exercising?

Your doctor can help you choose the exercises that best fit your abilities and needs. Depending on your condition, certain activities may be discouraged. In some cases, physicians will recommend testing the health of a patients heart before allowing him or her to participate in a strenuous exercise program. If you have numbness in your feet, for example, jogging could cause sores or even fractures; your physician may recommend that you switch to swimming or cycling. If you have unusual symptoms when you exercise, such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain, further testing might be needed to make sure its safe to work out. Your doctor may recommend swimming, bike riding, or short walks instead.

Remember: Exercise is powerful therapy so powerful that you shouldnt try it without a little professional guidance. (After all, youd never start taking extra-strong diabetes pills without your doctors okay.) Your doctor can help you fit exercise into your overall health plan. You may need to adjust your medications, carry snacks or drinks, or tweak your diet to help prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This can happen to people with type 2 diabetes, but its much more common for people with type 1. If you have this type of diabetes, youll have to work especially closely with your doctor to find the right balance of exercise, diet, and medications.

No matter how careful they are, people with type 1 diabetes should expect a few setbacks. Their sugar levels might crash unexpectedly, briefly putting them back on the sidelines. With all of my book smarts and experience, sometimes things dont work out like they should, Wayne says. But tomorrow is a clean slate. Any diabetic who exercises should carry glucose tablets or some equivalent, such as Lifesavers, in case sugar level drops unexpectedly.

If youre having trouble controlling your blood sugar during exercise, your doctor may refer you to an exercise physiologist who is specially trained to treat diabetics.

What other precautions should I take?

Your doctor or exercise physiologist can give you safety tips for your particular workouts. Here are a few general guidelines:

Warm up with five to 10 minutes of gentle stretching and five to 10 minutes of light aerobic activity (such as walking or jogging in place).

Proper footwear is essential, especially if you have poor circulation or numbness in your feet. A gel insert and polyester or poly-blend socks will help keep your feet comfortable, dry, and blister-free.

Check your feet carefully for blisters and other sores before and after exercise.

Dehydration can affect your sugar levels, so be sure to get plenty of fluids before, during, and after exercise. Water is often an excellent choice. Your doctor may suggest taking along some fruit juice or sugary sports drink if youre at risk for low blood sugar.

Wear a diabetes identification bracelet or tag. This precaution is especially important if theres a chance you could lose consciousness from hypoglycemia.

Getting started

People with diabetes are just like everyone else if theyre not used to breaking a sweat, it can be very hard to get started. Wayne motivates her clients by having them check their blood sugar before and after a walk. When they see the numbers drop, it really clicks, she says. If theyre still having trouble taking that first step, she encourages them to find a friend or family member wholl walk or jog or ride bikes with them. Its much easier to stick to an exercise routine if you dont have to do it alone.

Exercise isnt a miracle cure, but its still one of the best things you can do for your body. So talk to your doctor, get moving, and have fun.

References

Interview with Natalie Wayne, certified diabetes educator, exercise physiologist.

American Diabetes Association: Its a great time to get moving: https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/fitness

American Diabetes Association. Physical activity/exercise and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. 26: S73-S77.

Diabetes and Physical Activity. American Association of Diabetes Educators, February 9, American Diabetes Association. Frequently asked questions about exercise.

American Diabetes Association. Position Statement: Physical Activity/Exercise and Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 27:S58-S62.

Herbst A et al. Effects of Regular Physical Activity on Control of Glycemia in Pediatric Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. Vol. 160:573-577. http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/160/

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Diabetes: The Exercise Prescription - KXLY Spokane

Sleep specialists recommend turning off lights before going to bed.

A recent Northwestern Medicine study of older men and women aged 63 to 84 found that individuals who were exposed to any level of light while sleeping at night were considerably more likely to be obese, have high blood pressure, and have diabetes than people who were not exposed to any light at all.

Over the course of seven days, light exposure was assessed using a wrist-worn device.

The prevalence of any nighttime light exposure being connected to greater rates of obesity, high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), and diabetes in older adults can be seen in this real-world (not experimental) study. On June 22nd, 2022, the research was published in the journal SLEEP.

Whether it be from ones smartphone, leaving a TV on overnight or light pollution in a big city, we live among an abundant number amount of artificial sources of light that are available 24 hours of a day, said study corresponding author Dr. Minjee Kim, assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine physician. Older adults already are at higher risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, so we wanted to see if there was a difference in frequencies of these diseases related to light exposure at night.

Less than half of the 552 study participants regularly saw a five-hour period of total darkness each day, which astonished the studys researchers. Even during their five darkest hours of the day, which were often in the middle of sleep at night, the rest of the participants were exposed to some light.

Researchers are unsure of whether obesity, diabetes, and hypertension cause individuals to sleep with a light on or whether the light contributes to the development of these disorders since this was a cross-sectional study. With the light on, people with these conditions may be more prone to use the restroom in the middle of the night or have other reasons. A night light may be left on by a diabetic who has foot numbness to lessen the chance of falling.

Its important for people to avoid or minimize the amount of light exposure during sleep, said senior study co-author Dr. Phyllis Zee, chief of sleep medicine at Feinberg and a Northwestern Medicine physician.

Zee and colleagues are considering an intervention study to test whether restoration of the natural light-dark cycle improves health outcomes such as cognition.

Zee offered tips to reduce light during sleep:

The study participants were originally enrolled in the Chicago Heart Association Detection Project in Industry (CHA), a public health program and an epidemiologic study conducted from 1967-1973 to identify high-risk adults for heart diseases in workplaces throughout the Chicago area. The study included a detailed examination of known risk factors for heart disease.

Almost 40 years later (2007-2010), Zee and Dr. Martha Daviglus, now an adjunct professor of preventive medicine at Feinberg, conducted a separate study (Chicago Healthy Aging Study (CHAS)) with 1,395 survivors of the original CHA study who agreed to participate. They underwent another detailed examination of blood pressure, weight, height, cholesterol, glucose, and other known risk factors for heart disease. In addition, they wore the actigraphy device on their non-dominant wrists for seven days and filled out a daily sleep diary. Slightly more than half of the actigraphy devices used had the capacity to measure light, which constitutes the basis of this new study.

The study was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (grants R01 HL089695, R01 HL090873, R01 HL021010), the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1TR001422), and the National Institute on Aging (P30AG059988), all of the National Institutes of Health.

Reference: Light at night in older age is associated with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension by Minjee Kim, Thanh-Huyen Vu, Matthew B Maas, Rosemary I Braun, Michael S Wolf, Till Roenneberg, Martha L Daviglus, Kathryn J Reid and Phyllis C Zee, 22 June 2022, SLEEP.DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac130

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Turn Off Your Night Light: Keeping Any Light on While Sleeping Is Linked to Obesity, Diabetes, and High Blood Pressure - SciTechDaily

A study from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago explores the link between light exposures during sleep and health risks. The research serves as a warning for the many people living in industrialized nations where light tends to be omnipresent.

Sleeping while exposed to any type of light whatsoever even dim light is linked to an increase in the likelihood of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension (high blood pressure) in older adults, the study finds.

Corresponding author for the study, Dr. Minjee Kim, of Northwestern Medicine Feinberg School of Medicine, said in a press release: Whether it be from ones smartphone, leaving a TV on overnight, or light pollution in a big city, we live among an abundant number amount of artificial sources of light that are available 24 hours of a day.

It appears that even a tiny amount of light has a noticeable effect on our bodys response, Dr. Kim told Medical News Today.

Previous animal and some human studies have suggested a potential association between mistimed light not enough light during the day, too much light at night and obesity, said Dr. Kim.

There was little data on light exposure patterns in older adults, said Dr. Kim. Since older adults are already at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, we wanted to know how frequently older adults are exposed to light at night [or LAN], and whether light at night is correlated with CVD risk factors.

It is not only older people whose health may be affected by not sleeping in deep darkness.

In a previous study done by our group, even one night of dim light exposure during sleep raised heart rate and blood glucose in young, healthy adults who were brought into a sleep lab for an overnight experiment, Dr. Kim explained.

Dr. Jonathan Cedernaes, a sleep expert from Uppsala University in Sweden, who was not involved in either study, told MNT:

The fact that this is observed in older people may represent the more cumulative effects of such a mechanistic relationship, meaning that the adverse cardiometabolic effects of nighttime light exposure may become more evident over time (meaning in more advanced age, if one maintains such a lifestyle or exposure pattern over years to decades).

The study was published in the journal Oxford Academic SLEEP.

Unlike the groups previous research, the new study observed the real-world effects of LAN, tracking the sleep of 552 older men and women.

In the current study, we measured light exposure and sleep in older adults (ages 63-84) for seven days using a wrist-worn device. Instead of bringing these older adults to the sleep lab, we collected data in their routine environments, said Dr. Kim.

They found that less than half of these older adults slept in a pitch-black room for at least five hours.

We were frankly surprised to find out that more than half of the older adults were sleeping with some light at night, Dr. Kim said. Adults who slept with some light during their sleep period were generally exposed to dim light.

The researchers found that the likelihood of developing high blood pressure (hypertension) was increased by 74%, obesity by 82%, and diabetes by 100%. Participants were also tested for an increased risk of hypercholesterolemia, but no difference was observed.

The study lists three possible mechanisms behind lights disruptive effect during sleep:

When asked if more light equals a higher risk of disease, Dr. Kim replied, We found a trend towards a stronger association a higher rate of obesity and diabetes with more light exposure at night. We hope to confirm this finding with future studies across a broader age range.

While we cannot conclude anything beyond association because of the cross-sectional (snapshot) nature of the study, I encourage everyone to try to avoid or minimize any light at night if possible, Dr. Kim advised.

It may be as simple as not using electronic devices near the sleeping place and blocking light with a sleeping mask, he added.

Still, Dr. Kim cautioned: If people need to use a night light for safety, they should try to keep it as close to the ground as possible to minimize light entry to the eyes. If they need to use the bathroom at night, and it is dangerous to walk in complete darkness, try to use dim light for the shortest necessary period.

It also appears that the color of light in which a person sleeps matters.

I would recommend using amber or red light for [a] night light over blue light. Amber/red light (longer wavelengths) is less disruptive to our circadian clock in the body than lights with shorter wavelengths such as blue light, Dr. Kim explained.

Certain groups are forced to work at night, added Dr. Cedernaes, and must sleep in the day. There are also ways to block light (e.g., specific filters in glasses), and more studies may be warranted to establish methods to counteract light exposure [and] reduce cardiometabolic risks.

See the article here:
Sleeping with light linked to higher risk of diabetes, obesity - Medical News Today

Few, if any, diseases in medicine have seen advances in therapeutics and technology at the same rate as diabetes mellitus in the last decade. With so many advances, regulatory bodies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have been claiming headlines for practice-changing approvals on a yearly basis and 2022 has been no different.

In a field where historic advances have become the norm, the first 6 months of 2022 have been a whirlwind for the diabetes community, with approvals for a first-in-class agent, an increased dose of a popular GLP-1 RA, and multiple continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems.

To highlight the breakthroughs seen within diabetes care from the first half of 2022, EndocrinologyNetworks editorial staff has compiled a list of the most popular content related to FDA approvals and decisions from 2022 so far.

*Editors Note: Approvals are listed in chronological order from least to most recent.

Insulet Corporation announced the FDAs approval of the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System for use in individuals aged 6 years and older with type 1 diabetes in a press release on Jan. 28. According to the release from Insulet Corporation, the approval for Omnipod 5 makes it the first tubeless automated insulin delivery system with the ability to integrate with the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose Monitoring System and a compatible smartphone to automatically adjust insulin and protect against glycemic events.

Related Coverage: In a 2021 panel discussion moderated by Dhiren Patel, PharmD, panelists Robert Busch, MD, and Diana Isaacs, PharmD, discuss new CGM technology, including a preview of the Omnipod 5, which had not yet received approval at the time.

Senseonics announced the FDAs approval of the Eversense E3 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System and plans for a commercial launch through Ascension Diabetes Care in a press release on Feb. 11. With approval based on results of the PROMISE study, the approval for the CGM system provides up to 6 months of longevity due to a proprietary sacrificial boronic acid (SBA) technology, according to the release from Senseonics.

Related Coverage: Full results of the PROMISE study were published in the journal of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.

Tandem Diabetes Care Incorporated announced the FDA granted clearance for bolus insulin dosing on the t:slim X2 insulin pump using the t:connect mobile app in a press release on Feb. 18. With a series of limited group launches occurring in the spring and an expanded launch expected in the summer of 2022, the free t:connect mobile app, which is designed to offer t:slim X2 insulin pump users the ability to program and cancel bolus insulin requests through a smartphone, is the first-ever FDA-cleared smartphone application capable of initiating insulin delivery on both iOS and Android operating systems.

Novo Nordisk announced the FDAs approval of a 2.0 mg dose of semaglutide (Ozempic) for use in patients with type 2 diabetes in a press release on March 29. Based on results of the SUSTAIN FORTE trial, the specific indication for the once-weekly GLP-1 RA is as an adjunct therapy to accompany diet and exercise for improving blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and a history of cardiovascular disease.

Related Coverage: At ADA 2021, Endocrinology Network covered a pair of studies detailing the reductions in HbA1c and body weight achieved with semaglutide 2.0 mg compared with the 1.0 mg formulation observed within the SUSTAIN FORTE trial.

Eli Lilly and Company announced the FDAs approval of tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for improving blood sugar in adult patients with type 2 diabetes in a press release on May 13. Based on results of the SURPASS program, the specific indication for tirzepatide is as an adjunct o diet and exercise for improving glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes and the agent will be madeavailable in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg doses.

Related Coverage: On June 7, Eli Lilly and Company announced tirzepatide is available in US pharmacies.

Abbott announced the FDAs approval of the FreeStyle Libre 3 CGM system for by people aged 4 years and older in a press release on May 31. Billed as the worlds smallest, thinnest, and most accurate 14-day glucose sensor, the FreeStyle Libre 3 system is the size of 2 stacked US pennies and has a Bluetooth integration range of up to 33 feet. According to Abbott, the FreeStyle Libre 3 system is the first continuous glucose monitoring system to demonstrate a sub 8% MARD, with a 7.9% overall MARD.

Originally posted here:
Top FDA Approvals in Diabetes Care from the First Half of 2022 - Endocrinology Network

By Sujata Sharma

People who experience a dry mouth and frequent thirst are often categorised as diabetics. This raises the question of how are dehydration and diabetes related? Let us try and understand how staying hydrated can help you maintain your sugar levels.

When your body has high levels of sugar for a prolonged period of time, your kidneys need to work more to get rid of this excess glucose. This can only happen by means of urination. Drinking adequate amounts of water can help you both in staying hydrated and also in getting rid of the extra glucose present in your body.

Diabetes and Dehydration | Diabetic Ketoacidosis

This is a condition which is common with people having Type 1 Diabetes. When your cells cant absorb sugar for producing energy, it will start using fat instead. It will release a type of acid called Ketones in your bloodstream. Having too many ketones in your bloodstream can cause serious complications.

Ketones in your bloodstream can lead to a major loss of fluids in your body. Some severe symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include vomiting, dry skin, flushed face, muscle stiffness, headaches, etc.

Common Symptoms of DehydrationWhile dehydration does not have any major symptoms, some of its minor symptoms include-

Apart from water, there are other diabetes-friendly drinks that can help you stay hydrated. You can go for lemon water, infused water, herbal teas, skimmed milk, or even sugar-free coffee. They help you in treating your tastebuds and stay healthy at the same time.

However, you should avoid carbonated beverages, juices and sodas that contain high amounts of sugar. They can cause a spike in your sugar levels. Even energy drinks can be harmful for diabetics, despite the other benefits that they have to offer.

Other Benefits of Staying Hydrated

Staying hydrated can also entail other benefits such as - preventing infections, lubricating your joints, delivering nutrients to your cells, regulating your body temperature, ensuring the proper functioning of your body. Apart from these benefits, it is also scientifically proven that staying hydrated can help you improve your mood, cognition and sleep cycle.

Even after drinking ample amounts of water, if you still feel dehydrated, you should always talk to your doctor or health coach. They will change your diabetes medication or suggest the right diet or lifestyle changes. You should also not forget to monitor your sugar levels on a regular basis to keep a track of your diabetic condition.

By Sujata Sharma, Diabetes Care Coach, BeatO App

(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETHealthworld does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHealthworld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person / organisation directly or indirectly.)

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Diabetes and Dehydration | Why Should Diabetics Stay Hydrated During the Summer Season? - ETHealthWorld

Biomea Fusion, Inc.

Biomea to present two oral abstracts across multiple animal models highlighting the ability of BMF-219, a covalent menin inhibitor, to significantly lower HbA1C (approximately two-fold greater reduction than active control, liraglutide) and to increase beta cell function.

BMF-219 showed prolonged glycemic control in two standard diabetes animal models, the Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) and Streptozotocin-induced (STZ) Rat models, throughout the dosing period and, additionally, glycemic control was maintained after the dosing period ended.

Oral Presentations to include additional data not released in the two posters presented at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions on June 4, 2022.

Biomea expects to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial of BMF-219 in type 2 diabetes in the second half of 2022, subject to IND submission and clearance.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Biomea Fusion, Inc. (Nasdaq: BMEA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing novel covalent small molecules to treat and improve the lives of patients with genetically defined cancers and metabolic diseases, announced today that two BMF-219 preclinical abstracts were chosen for oral presentations at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting. The EASD, one of the largest networks for diabetologists worldwide, holds its Annual Meeting in a different European city each year with more than 15,000 delegates from over 130 countries attending. This years 58th EASD Annual Meeting will be held in Stockholm, Sweden, 19 - 23 September 2022.

During the 2022 EASD annual meeting, Biomeas abstract Oral menin inhibitor, BMF-219, displays a significant and durable reduction in HbA1c in a type 2 diabetes rat model" has been accepted for Short Oral Discussion with presentation number 590 and Oral long-acting menin inhibitor normalizes type 2 diabetes in two rat models will be presented orally with presentation number 197. Both abstracts can be viewed as of today at http://www.easd.org.

Both presentations highlight BMF-219s robust and prolonged glycemic control, insulin sensitization, and HbA1c reduction in two preclinical rat models of diabetes. These preclinical data support the potential utility of BMF-219 as a novel and acutely dosed oral, long-acting treatment for type 2 diabetes.

We are honored to be selected for two oral presentations at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting. The burden of diabetes remains unprecedented, with close to 10% of adults worldwide suffering from this disease and 1 in 3 Americans being prediabetic. Currently, diabetes typically requires daily treatment with multiple agents with various mechanisms of action in order to achieve glycemic control, however after several years they typically fail to maintain blood glucose control. The preclinical data that we have generated with oral BMF-219 to date and presented for the first time at the American Diabetes Association, may provide a true alternative as we are exploring to proliferate the beta cell mass and restore the bodys own ability to produce insulin, thereby reversing the downward spiral of type 2 diabetes, said Thomas Butler, Biomeas Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board. In the STZ rat model, a model that displays a significant reduction in beta cell mass, and where non-insulin based therapies have been ineffective, BMF-219 is the first single agent treatment to show glycemic control after 14 days of treatment. A therapy that can generate glucose responsive beta cells would be a major break-through for patients with diabetes. We are excited about these results and look forward to submitting our IND in the second half of this year.

Oral Presentation #197: (Thursday, September 22, 2022, 2:30 to 4:00 pm CEST) Oral Long-Acting Menin Inhibitor Normalizes Type 2 Diabetes in Two Rat Models

Abstract Text:Background and aims: Menin is a scaffold protein that has been recognized for its role in T2DM as a key regulator of b-cell proliferation. Menin inhibition has previously been shown to improve glycemic control in diabetic mice. Herein, we report the first evidence that BMF-219, an orally bioavailable, selective, irreversible menin inhibitor, restores glycemic control in Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) Rat and Streptozotocin-induced (STZ) Rat models of T2DM.

Materials and methods: Rats were treated daily with BMF-219, vehicle, or pioglitazone for 16 days and analyzed for fasting and non-fasting blood glucose levels, insulin, c-peptide, and blood lipemic levels. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was conducted up to Day 15 in both models and two-weeks post-treatment in the ZDF model. Body weight of all rats was also monitored.

Results: BMF-219 was well tolerated throughout the conduct of the study. BMF-219 treatment resulted in a significant 50% reduction in fasting and non-fasting blood glucose levels, reduced serum insulin and c-peptide levels (p<0.05), and reduced HOMA-IR (p<0.001) after two weeks of treatment in ZDF rats. BMF-219 decreased glucose levels at all timepoints during an OGTT at Day 15 (AUC reduction of 54%, p<0.001) and at Day 29 (AUC reduction of 40%, p<0.05), ~2 weeks after the last dose in the ZDF model, indicating prolonged glycemic control. Strikingly, BMF-219, but not pioglitazone, reduced blood glucose levels during an OGTT in STZ animals (AUC reduction of 41%, p<0.05, see figure). Significant reductions in blood lipemic levels (p<0.01) and body weight were observed in both models.

Conclusion: Collectively, our data indicate the novel and marked potential of BMF-219 as an oral, long-acting treatment for T2DM.

Short Oral Discussion #590: (Tuesday, September 20, 2022, 12:00 pm CEST) Oral Menin Inhibitor, BMF-219, Displays A Significant and Durable Reduction in HbA1c in a Type 2 Diabetes Rat Model

Abstract Text:

Background and aims: Menin is an epigenetic regulatory protein that plays a key role in beta-cell proliferation and function, as previously demonstrated though increased beta-cell mass generation in Men1 knockout mice. The menin-MLL interaction also plays a major role in suppressing islet cell growth through control of cell cycle inhibitor expression. Here, we demonstrate the marked potential of an oral menin inhibitor, BMF-219, in durable glycemic control following a short course treatment in a Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) Rat model.

Materials and methods: Rats were treated daily with BMF-219, liraglutide or vehicle for 28 days and monitored for an additional 28 days post-treatment for fasting and non-fasting blood glucose levels, HbA1C levels, insulin and c-peptide levels, HOMA-IR and HOMA-B quantitation and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Results: All animals tolerated BMF-219 well throughout the study. Notably, BMF-219 treatment resulted in a significant reduction in HbA1C at Day 21, which reached 3.5% absolute reduction in HbA1C versus vehicle (p < 0.0001), compared to liraglutide (1.7% at Day 29, p < 0.05) and remained reduced throughout the entire study, including post-treatment. The high-dose arm of BMF-219 showed a strong reduction in 4-hour fasting blood glucose during the treatment up to Day 29 (p < 0.0001). Both BMF-219 dose groups showed improved glycemic control by OGTT on day 25, whereas vehicle and liraglutide-treated animals continued to show high glucose levels. Additionally, insulin levels, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, OGTT, HbA1C, and C-peptide levels measured at Day 57 across all groups will be reported.

Conclusion: Collectively, our data demonstrate the novel long-acting potential of menin inhibitor, BMF-219, as an oral treatment for T2DM, in maintaining glycemic control after short-term dosing.

About Menin in Diabetes

Loss of functional beta-cell mass is a core component of the natural history in both types of diabetes type 1 diabetes (mediated by autoimmune dysfunction) and type 2 diabetes (mediated by metabolic dysfunction). Beta-cells are found in the pancreas and are responsible for the synthesis and secretion of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy and helps control blood glucose levels. In patients with diabetes, beta-cell mass and function are diminished, leading to insufficient insulin secretion and hyperglycemia. Menin is thought to act as a brake on beta-cell turnover / beta-cell growth, supporting the notion that inhibition of menin could lead to the regeneration of normal healthy beta-cells. Based on these and other scientific findings, Biomea is exploring the potential for menin inhibition as a viable therapeutic approach to permanently halt or reverse progression of type 2 diabetes.

About Biomea Fusion

Biomea Fusion is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of covalent small molecules to treat patients with genetically defined cancers and metabolic diseases. A covalent small molecule is a synthetic compound that forms a permanent bond to its target protein and offers a number of potential advantages over conventional non-covalent drugs, including greater target selectivity, lower drug exposure, and the ability to drive a deeper, more durable response. The company is utilizing its proprietary FUSION System to advance a pipeline of covalent-binding therapeutic agents against key oncogenic drivers of cancer and metabolic diseases. Biomea Fusions goal is to utilize its capabilities and platform to become a leader in developing covalent small molecules in order to maximize the clinical benefit when treating various cancers and metabolic diseases.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements we make in this press release may include statements which are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). These statements may be identified by words such as aims, anticipates, believes, could, estimates, expects, forecasts, goal, intends, may, plans, possible, potential, seeks, will, and variations of these words or similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any such statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our cash runway, the clinical and therapeutic potential of our product candidates and development programs, including BMF-219, the potential of BMF-219 as a treatment for various types of cancer and diabetes, our research, development and regulatory plans, including our pursuit of BMF-219 in metabolic diseases, our plans to submit an IND application and to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial of BMF-219 in type 2 diabetes, and the timing of such events, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and are making this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions.

Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the risk that we may encounter delays or unforeseen results in preclinical development, IND-filing and acceptance, patient enrollment and in the initiation, conduct and completion of our planned clinical trials and other research, development and regulatory activities. These risks concerning Biomea Fusions business and operations are described in additional detail in its periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including its most recent periodic report filed with the SEC and subsequent filings thereafter. Biomea Fusion explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by law.

Contact:

Sasha BlaugSVP Corporate Developmentsb@biomeafusion.com(650) 460-7759

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Biomea Fusion Selected for Two Oral Presentations at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting Describing BMF-219s Potential...

Editor's note: Find the latest COVID-19 news and guidance in Medscape's Coronavirus Resource Center.

Individuals with diabetes who experience COVID-19 are at increased risk for long COVID compared to individuals without diabetes, according to data from a literature review of seven studies.

Diabetes remains a risk factor for severe COVID-19, but whether it is a risk factor for postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), also known as long COVID, remains unclear, Jessica L. Harding, PhD, of Emory University, said in a late-breaking poster session at the annual scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association.

Long COVID is generally defined as "sequelae that extend beyond the 4 weeks after initial infection" and may include a range of symptoms that affect multiple organs, Harding said. A study conducted in January of 2022 suggested that type 2 diabetes was one of several strong risk factors for long COVID, she noted.

Harding and colleagues reviewed data from seven studies published from Jan. 1, 2020, to Jan. 27, 2022, on the risk of PASC in people with and without diabetes. The studies included patients with a minimum of 4 weeks' follow-up after COVID-19 diagnosis. All seven studies had a longitudinal cohort design, and included adults from high-income countries, with study populations ranging from 104 to 4,182.

Across the studies, long COVID definitions varied, but included ongoing symptoms of fatigue, cough, and dyspnea, with follow-up periods of 4 weeks to 7 months.

Overall, three of the seven studies indicated that diabetes was a risk factor for long COVID (odds ratio [OR] greater than 4 for all) and four studies indicated that diabetes was not a risk factor for long COVID (OR, 0.5-2.2).

One of the three studies showing increased risk included 2,334 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19; of these about 5% had diabetes. The odds ratio for PASC for individuals with diabetes was 4.18. In another study of 209 persons with COVID-19, of whom 22% had diabetes, diabetes was significantly correlated with respiratory viral disease (meaning at least two respiratory symptoms). The third study showing an increased risk of long COVID in diabetes patients included 104 kidney transplant patients, of whom 20% had diabetes; the odds ratio for PASC was 4.42.

The findings were limited by several factors, including the relatively small number of studies and the heterogeneity of studies regarding definitions of long COVID, specific populations at risk, follow-up times, and risk adjustment, Harding noted.

More high-quality studies across multiple populations and settings are needed to determine if diabetes is indeed a risk factor for long COVID, she said.

In the meantime, "careful monitoring of people with diabetes for development of PASC may be advised," Harding concluded.

"Given the devastating impact of COVID on people with diabetes, it's important to know what data has been accumulated on long COVID for future research and discoveries in this area," Robert A. Gabbay, MD, chief science and medical officer for the American Diabetes Association, said in an interview. "The more information we have, the better we can understand the implications."

Gabbay said he was surprised by the current study findings. "We know very little on this subject, so yes, I am surprised to see just how significant the risk of long COVID for people with diabetes seems to be, but clearly, more research needs to be done to understand long COVID," he emphasized.

The take-home message for clinicians is the importance of screening patients for PASC; also "ask your patients if they had COVID, to better understand any symptoms they might have that could be related to PACS," he noted.

"It is crucial that we confirm these results and then look at risk factors in people with diabetes that might explain who is at highest risk and ultimately understand the causes and potential cure," Gabbay added.

The study was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Harding and Gabbay had no financial conflicts to disclose.

This article originally appeared on MDedge.com, part of the Medscape Professional Network.

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Diabetes Tied to Risk of Long COVID, Too - Medscape

A free weekly series of classes on diabetes education and prevention is beginning this week at the Marion Oaks Fitness and Recreation Center.

The Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion), in partnership with the Marion County Hospital District, is offering the free classes at the fitness and recreation center, which is located at 280 Marion Oaks Lane in Ocala.

DOH-Marions Diabetes Empowerment and Education Program, or DEEP, runs for six weeks, beginning on Thursday, June 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The classes will meet at that same time and location each Thursday through August 4.

DEEP is a series of classes that aims to help participants who have diabetes or are considered pre-diabetic to better understand their condition and self-care options.

The classes will cover such topics as understanding how diabetes affects the human body and how to monitor it. DEEP will also include instruction on the importance of meal planning, physical activity, and a balanced diet, as well as teaching participants how to identify and prevent diabetic complications.

AdventHealth Ocala staff will also be in attendance to provide free clinical screenings.

The classes are free, but space is limited. For more information, or to register, call 352-644-2624.

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Free diabetes education classes kick off this week at Marion Oaks Fitness and Recreation Center - Ocala News

Neuropathy was associated with masticatory (chewing) dysfunction independent of missing teeth or diabetes severity in a small study in Japan.

"We demonstrated that patients with type 2 diabetes who developed diabetic neuropathy had significantly reduced masticatory efficiency," Yuta Hamamoto, DDS, PhD, and colleagues report in a study published online in PLoS One.

The decreased chewing ability was independent of missing teeth or diabetes severity, Hamamoto, a clinical fellow in the Department of Periodontal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan, clarified in an email to Medscape Medical News.

Their findings are important because "chewing well is essential for successful diet therapy and control of blood glucose level in patients with hyperglycemia," the researchers explain.

Successful diet therapy requires that a doctor and nutritionist pay attention to the patient's chewing ability. Dental intervention may also be required, Hamamoto said.

"We can restore their occlusal function by prosthetic and periodontal treatment," he said. "We can also examine the oral function and give patients rehabilitation to improve mastication."

Good glycemic control in type 2 diabetes delays the onset and progression of microvascular complications including nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy, the researchers write.

At the same time, periodontitis is characterized by tooth mobility or loss leading to chewing dysfunction, and it is widely accepted that tooth loss is associated with diabetes.

Hamamoto and colleagues aimed to determine whether chewing ability was associated with microvascular complications of diabetes using a new test that quantifies chewing ability.

They enrolled 172 patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent educational hospitalization in the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital from April 2016 to March 2020.

These patients had developed severe diabetes and were hospitalized to receive education about diabetes, nutrition, and therapy, including guidance about how to inject insulin, Hamamoto explained.

The patients provided blood and urine samples that were used to measure urine creatinine, serum urinary albumin excretion, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio to detect diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy was diagnosed as having two of the following: diabetic neuropathy symptoms, reduced Achilles tendon reflex, or decreased vibration sensation on the internal malleolus.

The patients had an eye exam to detect diabetic retinopathy.

They had a dental exam that included a count of moving (loose) teeth, missing teeth, and detection of periodontitis.

At baseline, the patients had a mean age of 61 and 58% were men. On average, they had had diabetes for 11 years, and their mean A1c was 10.3%.

Close to three quarters of the patients had diabetic neuropathy (71%) and a quarter had diabetic retinopathy (25%). About half had stage 1 chronic kidney disease (CKD) (53%) and fewer had stage 2 CKD (34%), stage 3 CKD (7%), or stage 4 CKD (6%); none had stage 5 CKD.

On average, the patients had 23 teeth and two moving teeth. None had dental implants and 46 patients had removable prostheses.

Chewing efficiency was measured using a chewing ability test (Gluco Sensor GS-II, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). For this test, patients chewed 2 g of gummy jelly that contained about 100 mg of glucose for 20 seconds, then rinsed with 10 mL of water, and then spat the chewed jelly and water into a cup covered with a mesh. The sensor detected the amount of glucose in the filtrate, and the average of two tests was taken as a measure of chewing efficiency.

Chewing efficiency was significantly associated with duration of diabetes (P = .049), number of remaining teeth (P < 0001), number of moving teeth (P = .007), and having diabetic neuropathy (P < .0001).

Age, body mass index, A1c, periodontal inflammatory surface area, sex, and current smoking were not significantly associated with chewing ability.

After adjusting for multiple variables, diabetic neuropathy was significantly associated with lower chewing efficiency (P = .007), as was having fewer than 20 teeth (P .0001).

However, "unexpectedly," neither diabetic retinopathy nor diabetic nephropathy correlated with masticatory efficiency, the researchers write.

"These results imply that diabetic neuropathy could be the cause of the resultant masticatory disorder in diabetes patients," they conclude.

They propose two biological mechanisms to explain this. Diabetic neuropathy may cause loss of muscle involved in chewing, or it may cause trigeminal nerve palsy (lack of nerve function) in muscles involved in chewing.

However, unlike previous studies, the current study did not find that periodontitis was associated with chewing ability. Therefore, more research is needed.

Two researchers were supported by the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) program. The authors have reported no competing financial disclosures.

PLoS One. Published online June 6, 2022. Article

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Diabetic Neuropathy Associated With Chewing Difficulty - Medscape