Elixir moves diabetes drug into Phase 3 trials

According to an article on diabetes medicine clinical trials, Elixir Pharmaceuticals Inc. has initiated a Phase 3 clinical trial of its drug for type 2 diabetes, officials report.

The Cambridge-based biotech reports its drug, mitiglinide, is designed to help diabetics control their blood sugar and assist them in producing insulin. Company officials said they hope to seek approval of the drug from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration somtime during 2009.

The Phase 3 study involves 300 patients at 50 sites in the United States, according to the company. The trial is expected to conclude in the middle of 2008.

If you have type 2 diabetes and you're on Medicare, you may qualify for a free glucose meter. Visit American Diabetes Services to find out.

Can Selenium Really Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

A recent article on type 2 diabetes reported that Selenium, an antioxidant included in multivitamin tablets thought to have a possible protective effect against the development of type 2 diabetes, may actually increase the risk of developing the disease, an analysis by researchers at the University at Buffalo has shown.

Results of a randomized clinical trial using 200 micrograms of selenium alone showed that 55 percent more cases of type 2 diabetes developed among participants randomized to receive selenium than in those who received a placebo pill.

"Among participants taking selenium supplementation, those who had the highest levels of selenium in their circulation at the beginning of the study had the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the average 7.7 years of follow-up," he said, "and the increase in risk is unlikely to be a result of chance."However, in the general population, very few people, if any, take selenium supplements only, every day, for nearly eight years, so we can't be sure that these findings apply to the public at large.

For more information about diabetes and to see if you or someone you know may qualify for free diabetic supplies, vist www.AmericanDiabetes.com.