This past week it seems that the genomic testing company 23&ME has been on an advertising blitz. Maybe they feel that Independence Day is a great time for people to think about their heritage. It was interesting that after one of their commercials, there was one from a large cancer …

African American male, 63 years of age, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, strong family history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension and stroke. A1C is 6.7%. Blood pressure 160/96 HR 88, despite being on ACE-I and Beta Blocker.

In part 4 of this Exclusive Interview, Dr. Chous discusses his findings during a clinical trial of a multi-component supplement used to intervene in the development of diabetic retinopathy and improve visual function.

In this week's Homerun Slides, part 4 of the Canadian Diabetes Association's specific recommendations for patient-centered diabetes care.

In pancreatic beta cells, glucose metabolism is essential for the regulation of insulin secretion. Glucose is taken up by glucose transporters and metabolized to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the main driver of glucose-induced insulin secretion (GIIS). Increased cytosolic ATP causes closure of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, depolarizing the plasma membrane, leading to the opening of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs), which allows Ca2+ influx. The resultant rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) induces exocytosis of insulin granules in the triggering pathway of insulin secretion. In addition, other signals generated by glucose amplify insulin secretion. Lipid metabolism is also involved in GIIS by interacting with glucose metabolism.