There are various hormones, neurotransmitters, nucleotides, and fatty acids in the pancreas that affect insulin production and secretion. Sorting all these factors out, and how we might possibly affect glucose control by mimicking  some of these compounds, has opened up new avenues of treatment. GLP-1 agonists are just one example. This week in our …

63-year-old male, moderate cognitive impairment and lives alone. Patient lost a significant amount of weight, frequent symptomatic hypoglycemia, including light-headedness and dizziness, requiring lowering and stopping some of his glucose lowering medications. GLP-1 was stopped and his glucose levels were in normal range. We were very clear that he should not resume his GLP-1 until we saw him again.

In part 2 of this Exclusive Interview, Kimberly Ward explains the integration of the Accu-Check system with an Apple app and how the system's features benefit patients and physicians alike.

In this week's Homerun Slides, the natural history and progression of diabetes.

Gs-protein-coupled receptor: In pancreatic beta cells, various hormones, neurotransmitters, nucleotides, and fatty acids including GLP-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), adrenaline, ATP/ADP, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and oleoylethanolamide (OEA) activate their specific receptors. These receptors when coupled with Gs-protein activate adenylate cyclase and increase cAMP production. These cAMP-increasing ligands potentiate both the 1st phase and 2nd phase of GIIS.