Little Evidence Backing Weight Loss Pills; PPIs for Glucose Control?

Despite more than a third of Americans saying they’ve tried using a weight loss supplement, there’s little high-quality evidence backing such pills, a new review found. “Our findings are important for clinicians, researchers, and industry alike as they suggest the need for rigorous evaluation of products for weight loss. Only then can we produce data that allows clinicians to provide input and advice with a higher degree of certainty to our patients,” said study author John Batsis, MD, of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill. (Obesity)

Smiths Medical issued a worldwide recall — deemed Class I by the FDA — for certain lots of its Jelco Hypodermic Needle-Pro fixed needle insulin syringes due to skewed graduation markings on the syringe barrels.

According to a cross-sectional study of 7,103 Americans ages 60 and older, far more adults with diabetes used aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular disease than those without diabetes. (JAMA Network Open)

The Endocrine Society released a statement mourning the loss of Past President Jean D. Wilson, MD, professor emeritus of UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Wilson is best known for his research on the mechanisms underlying sexual differentiation and discoveries leading to current treatments for prostate disease.

For patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, oral tildacerfont for up to 12 weeks helped to normalize adrenocorticotropic hormone and androstenedione levels in two phase II studies. (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism)

Although they weren’t any help in preventing new cases of diabetes, proton pump inhibitors plus standard of care helped to improve blood glucose in people with diabetes. “People with diabetes should be aware that these commonly used antacid medications may improve their blood sugar control, and providers could consider this glucose-lowering effect when prescribing these medications to their patients,” said study author Kashif Munir, MD, of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism)

No surprise here: People with low control over their food cravings tended to eat more high energy density sweet and savory foods during the COVID-19 lockdown. (Appetite)

The FDA gave the greenlight for Caladrius Biosciences to study CLBS201, a CD34+ cell therapy for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease, with plans to initiate a phase I/II proof-of-concept study in the next few months.

Accepting nominations through Aug. 31, Eli Lilly launched the new Leonard Award, inspired by Leonard Thompson — the first person with diabetes to be treated with insulin in 1922 — to recognize innovation in the diabetes community.