NONINVASIVE GLUCOMETER PROTOTYPE DREAMS OF FUTURE!!

Designer Tobias Förtsch has created a virtual prototype for a noninvasive (and nonexistent) glucose monitor that seems to be inspired by iPod MP3 players. The only problem, of course, is that the search goes on for technology that can properly do glucose measurements without having people prick themselves for a drop of blood.
The small device measures sugar levels using a display with an LED scale between a low result and a high result in different colors. Low sugar levels are shown in red. A normal level appears in white white and a high level goes orange. It stores the result and transfers it via bluetooth to a mobile phone and computer so your doctor has instant access.
The flexibility comes in how you measure your levels. A detachable sensor clips to your earlobe and gives you auditory feedback when your levels get to high. The same info gets transfered to your phone and computer. If your blood chemistry gets out of hand, a call can be made via your mobile to alert your doctor.

NEW AGENTS FOR Rx OF DIABETES - BASIC PRINCIPLE!!

Incretins are a group of gastrointestinal hormones that cause an increase in the amount of insulin released from the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans after eating, even before blood glucose levels become elevated. They also slow the rate of absorption of nutrients into the blood stream by reducing gastric emptying and may directly reduce food intake. As expected, they also inhibit glucagon release from the alpha cells of the Islets of Langerhans. The two main candidate molecules that fulfill criteria for an incretin are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Gastric inhibitory peptide (also known as: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide or GIP). Both GLP-1 and GIP are rapidly inactivated by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4).
GLP-1 (7-36) amide is not very useful for treatment since it must be administered by continuous subcutaneous infusion. Several long-lasting analogs that have insulinotropic activity have been developed and two, exenatide (Byetta) and liraglutide (Victoza), have been approved for use in the U.S. The main disadvantage of these GLP-1 analogs is that they must be administered by subcutaneous injection.
Another approach is to inhibit the enzyme that inactivates GLP-1 and GIP, DPP-4.
Several DPP-4 inhibitors that can be taken orally as a tablet have been developed.
Few available in India are
Sitagliptin
Vildagliptin
Saxagliptin

TASPOGLUTIDE

Taspoglutide is a pharmaceutical drug. It is a glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, under investigation for treatment of type 2 diabetes being co-developed by Ipsen and Roche.
Two phase II trials reported it was effective and well tolerated.
Of the eight planned phase III clinical trials of weekly taspoglutide (4 against exenatide, sitagliptin, insulin glargine, and pioglitazone) at least five were active in 2009. Preliminary results in early 2010 were favourable. (At least one of the 8 planned phase III trials had not started recruiting by end 2009.)
As of September 2010, Roche had halted Phase III clinical trials due to a incidences of serious hypersensitivity reactions and gastrointestinal side effects.

ABLIGLUTIDE

Albiglutide is a GLP-1 analog drug under investigation by GlaxoSmithKline for treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4-resistant glucagon-like peptide-1 dimer fused to human albumin.

Albiglutide has a half life of 4 to 7 days, which is considerably longer than the other two GLP-1 analogs approved for market use, exenatide (Byetta) and liraglutide (Victoza). GLP-1 drugs are currently only available for subcutaneous administration on a daily basis, so a GLP-1 drug with a longer half-life is desirable. Such a drug would only need to be injected biweekly or weekly instead of daily, reducing the discomfort and inconvenience of GLP-1 administration considerably.
It has not yet been determined whether albiglutide is as effective an antidiabetic agent as GLP-1 drugs currently on the market, and final data remains to be published regarding the incidence of adverse effects related to the drug. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the drug, albiglutide is undergoing eight Phase III clinical trials.

Microalbuminuria

Microalbuminuria is a condition where very small amounts of the protein albumin pass through your kidneys and into your urine. This can be a sign of underlying conditions such as kidney disease or cardiovascular disease.

blood contains cells and proteins that you need, as well as waste products that your body needs to get rid of. Your blood is filtered by your kidneys and waste products are removed from your body in your urine. Usually, cells and proteins stay in your blood, but sometimes a small amount of protein is lost into your urine along with other waste products.

Microalbuminuria is when the level of the protein albumin in your urine is always slightly raised. Microalbuminuria is defined as 30 to 300mg of albumin being lost in your urine per day. This is different to proteinuria, which is when the levels of protein in your urine are higher than 300mg a day.

Microalbuminuria means that the blood vessels involved in filtering waste products in your kidneys are damaged. Microalbuminuria may be the first sign of kidney damage or kidney disease. People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes may have kidney damage as a complication of their diabetes. If you have diabetes and microalbuminuria is detected early, there are treatments that can reduce the damage to your kidneys.

Microalbuminuria can also be a sign of more widespread damage to your blood vessels, including those of your heart. Microalbuminuria can be a sign that you're at an increased risk of heart disease, particularly if you have type 2 diabetes.

Causes of microalbuminuria -
High blood pressure
Diabetic kidney disease
Smoking
Overweight
Urinary tract infection
Heart failure
Uncontrolled blood sugar levels
Blood in urine