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Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Pill Shows Greater Weight Loss for Patients Switching from Injections in Real-World Study

Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Pill Shows Greater Weight Loss for Patients Switching from Injections in Real-World Study

Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Pill Shows Greater Weight Loss for Patients Switching from Injections in Real-World Study

Patients switching to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill from shots lose more weight in real-world study

Patients switching to Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill from shots lose more weight in real-world study

By Patrick Wingrove Sept 30 (Reuters) - Patients who switched from weight-loss injections to Novo Nordisk's daily Wegovy pill continued to lose weight, according to data unveiled at a medical meeting on Wednesday, as the Danish drugmaker seeks to defend its lead over US rival Eli Lilly in the market

Sugary Foods Combined with Antibiotics May Harm Gut Bacteria, Study Finds

Sugary Foods Combined with Antibiotics May Harm Gut Bacteria, Study Finds

New research indicates that consuming sugary foods while taking antibiotics can significantly damage the gut microbiome, potentially leaving individuals vulnerable to dangerous infections. The study, published in the journal Nature, analyzed data from over 1,000 stool samples of 173 hospitalized cancer patients who were on sustained antibiotic regimens and consumed hospital-prepared meals. Researchers observed that for every 3.5-ounce increase in sweets consumption during antibiotic treatment, the diversity of a patient’s gut microbiome decreased by approximately 24%. This reduction in diversity was linked to an expansion of opportunistic bacteria, such as Enterococcus faecium, which can cause severe infections like sepsis, especially in immunocompromised individuals. The study, led by scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and NYU Langone Health, also found that patients who ate more sugar had a 12% higher risk of dying after stem cell transplants.

TECPR2 Research Foundation and Forge Biologics Partner to Advance Gene Therapy for Ultra-Rare Disease

TECPR2 Research Foundation and Forge Biologics Partner to Advance Gene Therapy for Ultra-Rare Disease

The TECPR2 Research Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to finding treatments for TECPR2, has announced a development and manufacturing partnership with Forge Biologics, a gene therapy manufacturer. This collaboration aims to advance an AAV gene therapy for patients suffering from TECPR2, an ultra-rare neurodegenerative genetic disease. Under the agreement, Forge Biologics will provide process development, analytical development and qualification, and manufacturing services, including the production and release of materials for toxicology studies. The program will utilize Forge’s proprietary FUEL™ platform, which includes HEK293 suspension Ignition Cells™ and pEMBR™ 2.0 adenovirus helper plasmid, designed to enhance manufacturing efficiencies. The investigational gene therapy seeks to deliver a functional copy of the TECPR2 gene using an AAV vector, addressing the underlying genetic cause of the disease. Research for this program is led by Steven Gray, Ph.D., and Xin Chen, M.D., Ph.D., at UT Southwestern Me...

Research on Probiotics for Oral Health Shows Developing but Inconclusive Evidence

Research on Probiotics for Oral Health Shows Developing but Inconclusive Evidence

Research into the use of probiotics for oral health is ongoing, with studies exploring their potential to influence oral bacteria, plaque, and gum inflammation. Probiotics are live microorganisms intended to provide health benefits, commonly found in fermented foods or supplements. While some studies indicate that certain probiotic strains can lead to changes in oral bacteria, such as a reduction in harmful species like *Streptococcus mutans* and *Lactobacillus*, these shifts in bacterial counts do not automatically translate to a proven reduction in cavities or gum disease. For instance, a systematic review found that probiotics reduced compounds linked to bad breath in the short term and showed modest improvements in gingivitis markers like bleeding on probing. However, the evidence for preventing cavities or treating established periodontal disease remains insufficient, with many studies highlighting that benefits often fade once probiotic use ceases. The effectiveness of probiotics is highly strain-spe...

Sugar-Rich Diets Exacerbate Antibiotic-Induced Gut Microbiome Disruption, Study Finds

Sugar-Rich Diets Exacerbate Antibiotic-Induced Gut Microbiome Disruption, Study Finds

A study published in Nature reveals that sugar-rich foods can worsen the disruption of the gut microbiome caused by antibiotics. The research, conducted on adult allo-HCT recipients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York between 2017 and 2022, involved monitoring dietary intake and microbiome changes. Patients were asked to record their consumption of each meal item, and this data was linked to detailed food classifications. The study found that the interaction between sugar intake and antibiotic exposure significantly impacted microbial diversity. Specifically, a 100g increase in 'sweets' (dehydrated weight) exacerbated the negative effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiome. This finding was consistent across different conditioning intensities for transplant patients.

Lilly's retatrutide GLP-1 delivers average weight loss of 50 pounds

Lilly's retatrutide GLP-1 delivers average weight loss of 50 pounds

People with Type 2 diabetes lost an average of nearly 50 pounds on highest dose of Eli Lilly's GLP-1 medication retatrutide, the company said.

NYU Langone Health Study Reveals Sugar Amplifies Antibiotic Damage to Gut Microbiome

NYU Langone Health Study Reveals Sugar Amplifies Antibiotic Damage to Gut Microbiome

A new study led by researchers from NYU Langone Health, City of Hope, and Memorial Sloan Kettering has found that consuming sugar while taking antibiotics can worsen the damage to the gut's bacterial community. The research, published in the journal Nature, tracked the diets of 173 hospitalized cancer patients, analyzing 9,419 meals and their corresponding gut microbiome changes. The study observed an additional 21% reduction in alpha diversity, a measure of beneficial bacterial species variety, for every 100 grams of sugar consumed within 48 hours before antibiotic treatment. This combination of a sugary diet and antibiotics was also linked to an increase in harmful bacterial species like Enterococcus faecium, which is associated with difficult-to-treat infections. Experiments in mice further confirmed this pattern, showing a significant increase in Enterococcus populations when exposed to antibiotics and dietary sucrose.

New Guidelines Debunk Pregnancy Exercise Myths, Encourage Strength Training and Varied Workouts

New Guidelines Debunk Pregnancy Exercise Myths, Encourage Strength Training and Varied Workouts

New Guidelines Debunk Pregnancy Exercise Myths, Encourage Strength Training and Varied Workouts

FDA seeks scientists and consumer representatives for advisory panels

FDA seeks scientists and consumer representatives for advisory panels

Sept 30 (Reuters) - The US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday launched a nationwide effort to recruit scientists, medical experts and consumer representatives to its advisory committees, which advise the agency on drugs, vaccines and other regulated products.

Study Links Oral Menopausal Hormone Therapy to Increased Thrombotic Risk

Study Links Oral Menopausal Hormone Therapy to Increased Thrombotic Risk

A recent nationwide nested case-control study published in BMJ has linked oral menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) to an increased risk of thrombotic events, including venous thromboembolism (VTE), ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI). The study found that high-dose oral estradiol (more than 1 mg daily) carried a higher risk for VTE (HR 1.8), ischemic stroke (HR 1.5), and MI (HR 1.4). Low-dose oral therapy (1 mg or less daily) also showed an increased VTE risk (HR 1.3) but no significant increase for stroke or MI. The risk for VTE was highest during the first year of high-dose oral therapy. In contrast, transdermal therapy was not associated with higher rates of VTE, ischemic stroke, or MI, with the exception of MI with transdermal combined cyclic therapy, which was based on sparse data. The study's authors noted limitations, including its observational nature and lack of data on BMI, smoking status, and age at menopause onset.

Semaglutide, Marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Semaglutide, Marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Semaglutide, a medication available under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and death in adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Originally approved for managing type 2 diabetes, semaglutide works by stimulating GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas, which increases insulin secretion, lowers blood sugar levels, and decreases glucagon release. It also slows stomach emptying, contributing to a feeling of fullness and reduced appetite. While Ozempic is primarily prescribed for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy is approved for weight management in obese or overweight adults, often those with co-existing conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. The medication is administered via injection and should be used in conjunction with diet and exercise programs.