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Controversial Cholesterol Drug Improves Glycemic Control in Diabetics
Tue, 19 Jul 2011
A drug designed to improve levels of 'good' cholesterol in the body may also help regulate blood sugar in people with diabetes, new research has revealed.

Scientists from the University of Sydney in Australia stumbled made the discovery while analysing data from a clinical trial on torcetrapib.

Torcetrapib is a cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor, a type of drug that increases levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs, or 'good' cholesterol). However, the pill is no longer in clinical development due to its use being associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular disease.

The researchers found that 6,661 people with type 2 diabetes who took part in the ILLUMIANTE trial showed improved blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity when taking torcetrapib alongside a statin medication that reduces low-density lipoproteins (LDLs or 'bad' cholesterol).

They said the findings are important given that two other CETP inhibitors, dalcetrapib and anacetrapib are currently being tested in large-scale clinical trials, and these agents are not believed to have the same toxicity as torcetrapib.

Professor Philip Barter, director of the Heart Research Institute at the University of Sydney and lead author of the study, said: "The possibility that CETP inhibitor drugs may not only reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, but may also improve the control of blood sugar in people with diabetes, is an exciting prospect that may translate into real health benefits for people with diabetes ."

The findings were published online in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
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