A Common Blood Pressure Lowering Drug Verapamil may Slow Or Reverse Diabetes

A common medication for high-blood-pressure and angina, verapamil, a calcium channel blocker has been seen to protect or reverse diabetes-related death of pancreatic beta cells, those responsible for secretion of insulin; according to a University of Alabama at Birmingham study published March 22 in the journal Diabetes.

Overview of the most significant possible symptoms of diabetes. See Wikipedia:Diabetes#Signs_and_symptoms for references. Model: Mikael Häggström. To discuss image, please see Template talk:Häggström diagrams (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is a mandatory link between high blood sugar and beta cell death. The carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) attaches to DNA in a region that turns on the TXNIP gene in response to high sugar in beta cells.
It has been seen that genetic deletion of TXNIP protects against Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and excess TXNIP-signaling shuts down the Akt/Bcl-xL pathway that keeps beta cells alive.
The overactive TXNIP signaling seen in diabetes sharply reduces the antioxidant activity of the protein thioredoxin. Higher TXNIP levels in the mitochondria of beta cells increase the chances of thioredoxin not acting on a protein that would otherwise have shut down, apoptosis-signaling kinase 1. Once free, this enzyme initiates a chain reaction that causes beta cell death.
Researchers have now shown that calcium channel-blockers like verapamil can inhibit signaling through the enzyme calcineurine, which increases ChREBP phosphorylation and keeps it from getting into the beta cell nucleus. With less ChREBP, extra TXNIP gene expression is shut down.
Using molecular biology techniques, researchers were able to watch as expression of TXNIP, or thioredoxin-interacting protein, rose in beta cells to abnormal levels as mice became diabetic and then fell again as they received verapamil.
Future treatments conceivably could return TXNIP levels to normal in diabetic patients, but leave in place the basic level of TXNIP-signaling that cells rely on to regulate life processes. The results also suggest the drug is able to slow diabetes in mice with longstanding disease and is more effective when given early.
It remains to be seen if physicians would consider verapamil an additional treatment to protect beta cells in patients with both hypertension and diabetes, similar to the use of ACE inhibitors for kidney protection.
Future clinical studies needed to prove conclusively, if earlier treatment can have effect on diabetes progression by saving more beta cells.

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Initial Study Links White Rice Consumption to Type II Diabetes Mellitus

In a recent study in Asian countries , a possible association between white rice consumption and diabetes has been suspected. The researchers suspect that white rice contributes to diabetes risk because of its high glycemic index (64) when compared with brown rice (55), whole wheat (41), or barley (25).

White Rice (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gycemic index (GI) is an estimate of rise in blood glucose after consumption of each gram of available carbohydrate (total carbohydrate minus fiber) in a food; in comparison to that of glucose. Glucose has a glycemic index of 100.

The 4 papers included 352,384 participants, with 13,284 incident cases of type 2 diabetes during follow-up periods ranging from 4 to 22 years.

Diabetes mellitus is mostly seen in a populations that have undergone nutritional transition. It is associated with change of lifestyle from active to that of a sedentary one, unhealthy dietary pattern with over consumption of energy rich ones; first seen in the developed Western world, now replicated in low income and middle income countries.

• Low GI 55 or less most fruits and vegetables, legumes/pulses, some whole, intact grains, nuts, fructose, kidney beans, beets, chick peas 
• Medium GI 56–69 whole wheat products, basmati rice, sweet potato, sucrose, baked potatoes.
• High GI 70 and above white bread, most white rices, corn flakes, extruded breakfast cereals, glucose, maltose, maltodextrins

Related articles

• White rice raises T2 diabetes risk, claim academics

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How Often to go for Cervical Cancer Screening with Papanicolaou(PAP) or Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Test

Papanicolaou (PAP) smear and Humap  Papilloma Virus (HPV) test are used for screening of cancer cervix; if fact, evidence suggest HPV test is more useful  as stand-alone test; however the combination of both the tests are more sensitive.

Now an update of the 2003 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation statement on screening for cervical cancer has been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

The USPSTF reviewed new evidence on the comparative test performance of liquid-based cytology and the benefits and harms of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing as a stand-alone test or in combination with cytology.
In addition to the systematic evidence review, the USPSTF commissioned a decision analysis to help clarify the age at which to begin and end screening, the optimal interval for screening, and the relative benefits and harms of different strategies for screening (such as cytology and co-testing). 

This recommendation statement applies to women who have a cervix, regardless of sexual history. This recommendation statement does not apply to women who have received a diagnosis of a high-grade precancerous cervical lesion or cervical cancer, women with in utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol, or women who are immunocompromised (such as those who are HIV positive). 

The USPSTF recommends screening for cervical cancer in women age 21 to 65 years with cytology (Papanicolaou smear) every 3 years or, for women age 30 to 65 years who want to lengthen the screening interval, screening with a combination of cytology and HPV testing every 5 years.                        

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Acid Reflux Disease may Soften Teeth that Develop Carries

There can be several factors to cause dental carries, but basic fact is the increase of acidity in the mouth. The bacteria in mouth may ferme

Image via Wikipedia; Dental Carries

nt the carbohydrates that remains sticking to teeth after taking food.
Acid from stomach may come up to mouth through oesophagus in gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) to cause the same. There has been some study in the recent past about the effect of taking fruits like apple and soft drinks on teeth. It was seen that those may damage teeth due to the acidity.
Stomach acid is hydrochloric acid that is strong enough having Ph ranging from 1 to 4, when comes to mouth increases the acidity and may soften the enamel, the outer part of teeth.
Brushing teeth immediately after acid reflux of taking acidic fruits may take out the enamel more efficiently, exposing the inner part of teeth.
Primarily, the treatment of GERD is important that can prevent the dental carries. Still, there are some tips;

• Not to brush immediately after an acid reflux episode,
• A fluoride rinse after acid reflux may help,
• A special toothpaste can be prescribed by the doctor
• Taking baking soda or antacids after acid reflux episodes to protect teeth.
• Xylitol chewing gum that reduces acid in the mouth, is another good idea.

Protection of teeth is protection of health of a person as bad dental hygiene is linked to bad gut health and heart health.

Related articles

• Acid Reflux from Chronic Heartburn May Damage Teeth (nlm.nih.gov)

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A New Aspirin (NOSH-Aspirin) can Prevent Several Cancers sans Its Side Effects

There has been much talk about aspirin in recent days. Once aspirin as a part of APC (Aspirin, Phenacetin and Caffeine), a panacea for headache and flu was long forgotten for its severe side effects such as gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding.

Image via Wikipedia

Aspirin

But, again it was up for its preventive effect on heart stroke and was used in post-heart attack patients primarily for prevention of dangerous clot formation. It keeps blood in a more fluid state by preventing the action of platelets from wrongful aggregation.
Much work in the recent years have proved that the low cost drug is also helpful in preventing many cancers as well as early diagnosis of many.
Still, the prescription of the drug is on the basis of weighing the necessity against possible side effects.
Now, scientists from The City College of New York have developed a new aspirin compound that has great promise to be not only an extremely potent cancer-fighter, but even safer than the classic drug.

New Aspirin with Hydrogen Sulfide and Nitric Oxide

The new molecule is a hybrids of aspirin (ASA), bearing both nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-releasing moieties, designated as NOSH-Aspirin.
The new aspirin has cancer inhibiting properties on cell lines of adenomatous (colon, pancreatic, lung, prostate), epithelial (breast), and lymphocytic (leukemia) origin.
This compound is also devoid of many cellular toxicity due to presence of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide.
The new drug only has been tested in mice, and has to undergo many tests before advocated for human consumption that may take years. 

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Development of Acne and Its Management with Garlic and Laser among Other things

The process of development of acne though known, it is clearly not known, why the process starts. The main pathological process is blockade of the skin openings of oil glands by keratin plugs near the hair follicles, the hormonal changes at the time of puberty. In fact, it is told that appearance of acne is indicative of puberty.

The main problem with acne is disfigurement of face from the comedo, and scars following its rapture and healing. This can cause much embarrassment particularly to the young ladies and may also cause psychological problems.

Image via Wikipedia; Severe Acne Vulgaris

Why the abnormal follicular keratinization occurs that is not known. But, abnormal keratinization, increases sebum production from the oil glands and secondary infection by Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) or infestation by domodex follicullorum; play major role in development of acne or acne vulgaris.

Increase sebum or oil production at that age is due to increased level of testosterone and oestrogen. Use of hash cosmetics or un-proved healing agents/remedies may aggravate the situation.

The primary skin lesion in acne is the microcomedo. Formation occurs when a keratin plug fills the duct of a pilosebaceous unit, which is comprised of a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland. Sebum is produced in the unit and some may be trapped beneath the keratin plug along with more keratinaceous material, causing enlargement of the follicle.

As the lesion enlarges it becomes clinically apparent and becomes a comedo. The comedo may remain functionally closed, appearing as a "whitehead." Or, the dilated follicular orifice may be open to the skin's surface, forming an open comedo or "blackhead."

On occasion the comedo may become inflamed and/or enlarge to the point of rupture of the follicular wall. This produces inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules.

Acne is treated by variously from home remedies to doctors ranging from generalist to dermatologists.

Acne is managed by many different types of physicians. Dermatologists provide the majority of acne care, though half of the visits for acne in patients under 15 are with paediatrician. Internists and family physicians also treat acne, though the proportion of care provided by these practitioners is not known. Variations in practice between generalists and specialists have been documented.  However, there have been no studies exploring differences in outcomes by provider type.

There are several different medications available for the treatment of acne. Broadly, these can be divided into topical therapies and systemic (oral) therapies.

In general, mild cases are treated with topical medications, with more severe cases being treated with systemic therapy or a combination of topical and systemic treatments. However, acne treatment tends to be highly individualized due to the spectrum of lesions.

Topical therapies include;

• Cleansers,
• Keratolytics, and
• Topical antibiotics and
• Topical retinoids.

The main action of keratolytics is to increase follicular desquamation and decrease follicular plugging. Common keratolytics include salicylic acid, sulphur, and resorcinol.

Topical treatments for teen aged acne include benzoyl peroxide, sulphur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid are there. The US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) has found these effective for treating acne.

Antibiotics suppress P. acnes. Common topical antibiotics are erythromycin and clindamycin. Benzoyl peroxide has both antibiotic and keratolytic properties.

Topical retinoids such as tretinoin and adapalene reduce hyperkeratosis and follicular plugging. Many of the topical agents are available in cream, liquid, and gel formulations.

Systemic therapies include;

• Oral antibiotics,
• Oral retinoids, and
• Hormonal treatments.

Oral antibiotics used to treat acne include tetracyclines, macrolides, and sulfa-containing agents. Some of these agents may have anti-inflammatory activity as well as antibiotic activity.

Isotretinoin is currently the only oral retinoid routinely used in the treatment of acne. While its exact mechanism of action is unknown, it decreases both sebaceous gland secretion and keratinization.

Oestrogen and anti-androgens are systemic medications that may be used in specific cases.

There are dozens of other treatments for acne that have been used or are currently in use. These include Grenz rays (a type of x-rays irradiation), anti-fungal treatments, acne surgery, topical and oral steroids, and alternative therapies such as tea tree oil.

Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are used to lighten post-acne scarring. Post-acne scars can be cleared by clean-ups with salicylic or glycolic acid at a clinic. Gentle exfoliation with these acids helps in taking out blackheads and whiteheads.

Garlic juice or a mud pack are used to decrease the oily skin.One can apply a little garlic juice on face, for about an hour at least once a week. Although garlic juice kills off acne-causing bacteria, it should not be kept too long as it can aggravate sensitive skin.

Laser treatment and chemical peels are available as alternative treatment. Yttrium scandium gallium garnet ablative fractional resurfacing (2,790-nm) appears to be effective and well tolerated for the treatment of atrophic acne scars.

To avoid acne, one should wash skin twice a day. Make sure to use a mild face wash that suits one’s skin type. Washing face too frequently especially with harsh cosmetics can aggravate acne. Avoiding processed foods like white bread and noodles are good as those often trigger outbreaks.

Use a face pack made of Fuller's earth (non-plastic clay or clay-like earthy material) at least once or twice a week. This will help extract excess sebum and is therefore one of the best natural methods to treat acne.

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