PYY & Obesity 

A possible cause for obesity                                                                                                                 Back to top

It seems a naturally occurring peptide that contributes to weight maintenance is reduced in obese people compared with thin people. Doctors report obese patients have lower levels of the fragment peptide YY3-36, otherwise known as PYY. They also found that obese patients are not resistant to its effects. The gut hormone PYY suppresses appetite and decreases food intake when given to people without weight problems. Similar to the hormone leptin, PYY works with the hypothalamus to reduce food intake. Previous studies show obese people are resistant to the effects of leptin. The purpose of this study was to determine if obese individuals are also resistant to the effects of PYY. Researchers enrolled 12 obese people and 12 lean people in the study. In the placebo-controlled study, a buffet lunch was served after the subjects received an infusion of PYY. The researchers reported that Caloric intake was decreased by 30 percent in the obese subjects and 31 percent in the lean subjects. Over 24 hours, there was also a decrease in the caloric intake. It was the same in both obese and thin patients. The researchers found natural levels of PYY were lower in obese people than others, but by infusing the hormone, they were able to reduce the appetite and calorie consumption of obese people. They suggest this might play a part in obesity and even may be a useful treatment for obesity.

SOURCE: New England Journal of Medicine, 2003;349:941-948

 Diabetic Foot Ulcers Treatment

Effective drug for diabetic foot ulcers                                                                                                 Back to top

A new study finds the drug dalteparin is beneficial for diabetic patients with severe foot ulcers. Chronic foot ulcers cause a lot of suffering for diabetic patients and are one of the most expensive diabetic complications. This common complication can threaten the life and limb of the diabetic patient. A new study led by investigators from  Sweden reveals at the effect of the drug dalteparin on foot ulcers in diabetic patients. For the study, 87 patients were randomly assigned to receive either injections of dalteparin or an injection of a saline solution each day for up to six months. Researchers tracked each patient’s progress to see if the foot ulcer healed or if the patient ended up needing their foot amputated. Researchers report the patients on dalteparin fared much better than the patients receiving the saline solution. Specifically, 29 patients of the 43 on dalteparin had their ulcers healed or at least saw a 50 percent improvement. In contrast, 20 of the 42 patients in the placebo group saw an improvement. Five patients in both groups had their ulcers get worse. As for amputation, two patients in the dalteparin group had their foot amputated compared to eight in the placebo group.

SOURCE: Diabetes Care, 2003;26:2575-2580

 Cancer Gene Identified

Gene Increases Cancer Risk                                                                                                                 Back to top

Researchers have identified a gene that increases the risk of getting cancer. Investigators say this discovery could allow people to know in advance if they are at an increased risk for cancer and to take precautionary measures. The gene, called the Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 1*6A (TGFBR1*6A), is present in nearly one in eight people. Researchers say TGFBR1*6A may be to blame for 7 percent of all breast cancers, 11 percent of all ovarian cancers, and 5.5 percent of all colon cancers. These findings should put TGFBR1*6A on the map with better known cancer susceptibility genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 that have been implicated in an estimated 5 percent to 10 percent of all breast and ovarian cancers. Researchers of the study say this gene may be the most common inherited cancer susceptibility gene identified so far. Overall researchers say having this gene increases cancer risk by 26 percent.

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2003;21:3236-3243

 Statin & Leg Pain

Walk longer with statins                                                                                                                         Back to top

One cholesterol-lowering drug may have the added benefit of improving walking ability in people with a cardiovascular disease that causes frequent leg pain. Peripheral artery disease is a condition caused by atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque deposits in the arteries that narrows them. A common symptom is intermittent claudication, cramping or fatigue in the legs and buttocks during activity that eases during rest. Researchers estimate about 5 percent of people ages 60 and older have claudication. Investigators examined 354 people in their 60s with claudication. Participants were treated daily with either a placebo, 10 milligrams of atorvastatin, or 80 milligrams of atorvastatin for one year. Results of the study show maximal walking time did not differ significantly between the three groups of participants. However, the amount of time patients could walk without having leg pain improved by 63 percent for patients taking 80 milligrams of atorvastatin and about 38 percent for patients taking placebo or 10 milligrams of the drug. Participants taking either dose of atorvastatin reported general improvements in physical activity compared to those on placebo. Results also show patients taking either dose of the drug had reductions in their total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides while their HDL (good) cholesterol increased. Cholesterol levels did not improve in patients taking a placebo.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe Newswire

 Lung Disorders in Older

 Age affect lung disorders                                                                                                                   Back to top

A new study finds the age of a patient affects chance of developing ARDS after a trauma. Researchers conducted a study to determine the role age plays in the development of ARDS after a trauma. More than 4,000 trauma patients over age 12 were included in the study. Of these patients, 484, or 12 percent, developed ARDS. Researchers analyzed the age of the patients to determine if it is associated with the risk of developing ARDS. Researchers say patients who developed ARDS were, on average, older and had more severe injuries, but they found a complex relationship between age and the development of ARDS. They say older patients up to 69 years old are at a higher risk for ARDS, but the risk declines after that. They say patients between 60 and 69 were at greatest risk of developing ARDS. However, patients over 80 had the same risk of developing ARDS as teenagers.

SOURCE: CHEST, 2003;124:653-659

 Tea & Cancer

Tea prevents skin cancer                                                                                                                       Back to top

Health benefits of drinking tea may be more than skin-deep. Researchers have developed a new cream, made of tea, they say could fight skin cancer. Tea contains polyphenols, which researchers say appear to block skin tumors. Polyphenols are found in both black and green teas and, unlike sunblock, work after the skin is exposed to sunlight. The chemicals are thought to decrease levels of the enzyme JNK-2, which naturally increases after skin is exposed to sunlight. Because JNK-2 levels are decreased, researchers believe the polyphenols help inhibit tumor growth. Studies in mice show green tea polyphenols block the skin’s response to UV light. Researchers say that topical application of certain tea polyphenols appears to block a key process that leads to skin cancer. The skin cream could be used alone or combined with sunscreen to maximize skin protection.

SOURCE: The 226th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in New York City, Sept. 7-11, 2003

SQUARE's New Products                       Back to top

            Product                                    Fona
            Generic Name                         Adapalene INN
            Strength                                  0.1%
            Dosage form                           Cream
            Therapeutic Category           Antiacne        

            Product                                     Durol
            Generic Name                          Carvedilol INN
            Strength                                   12.5 mg
            Dosage form                            Tablet
            Therapeutic Category            Antihypertensive   

            Product                                     Durol
            Generic Name                          Carvedilol INN
            Strength                                   25 mg
            Dosage form                            Tablet
            Therapeutic Category            Antihypertensive