The DREAM (Diabetes REduction Assessment with ramipril and rosiglitazone Medication) Trial Investigators*
Summary
Background Rosiglitazone is a thiazolidinedione that reduces insulin resistance and might preserve insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to assess prospectively the drug’s ability to prevent type 2 diabetes in individuals at high risk of developing the condition.
Methods
5269 adults aged 30 years or more with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance, or both, and no previous cardiovascular disease were recruited from 191 sites in 21 countries and randomly assigned to receive rosiglitazone (8 mg daily; n=2365) or placebo (2634) and followed for a median of 3 years. The primary outcome was a composite of incident diabetes or death. Analyses were done by intention to treat. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00095654.
Findings
At the end of study, 59 individuals had dropped out from the rosiglitazone group and 46 from the placebo group. 306 (11·6%) individuals given rosiglitazone and 686 (26·0%) given placebo developed the composite primary outcome (hazard ratio 0·40, 95% CI 0·35–0·46; p<0·0001); 1330 (50·5%) individuals in the rosiglitazone group and 798 (30·3%) in the placebo group became normoglycaemic (1·71, 1·57–1·87; p<0·0001). Cardiovascular event rates were much the same in both groups, although 14 (0·5%) participants in the rosiglitazone group and two (0·1%) in the placebo group developed heart failure (p=0·01).
Interpretation
Rosiglitazone at 8 mg daily for 3 years substantially reduces incident type 2 diabetes and increases the likelihood of regression to normoglycaemia in adults with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance, or both
Glucose lowering and diabetes prevention: are they the same? editorial in pdf format, just 2 pages
Effect of Ramipril on the Incidence of Diabetes article in pdf format
Background
Previous studies have suggested that blockade of the renin–angiotensin system may prevent diabetes in people with cardiovascular disease or hypertension.
Methods
In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial with a 2-by-2 factorial design, we randomly assigned 5269 participants without cardiovascular disease but with impaired fasting glucose levels (after an 8-hour fast) or impaired glucose tolerance to receive ramipril (up to 15 mg per day) or placebo (and rosiglitazone or placebo) and followed them for a median of 3 years. We studied the effects of ramipril on the development of diabetes or death, whichever came first (the primary outcome), and on secondary outcomes, including regression to normoglycemia.
Results
The incidence of the primary outcome did not differ significantly between the ramipril group (18.1%) and the placebo group (19.5%; hazard ratio for the ramipril group, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 1.03; P = 0.15). Participants receiving ramipril were more likely to have regression to normoglycemia than those receiving placebo (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.27; P = 0.001). At the end of the study, the median fasting plasma glucose level was not significantly lower in the ramipril group (102.7 mg per deciliter [5.70 mmol per liter]) than in the placebo group (103.4 mg per deciliter [5.74 mmol per liter], P = 0.07), though plasma glucose levels 2 hours after an oral glucose load were significantly lower in the ramipril group (135.1 mg per deciliter [7.50 mmol per liter] vs. 140.5 mg per deciliter [7.80 mmol per liter], P = 0.01).
Conclusions
Among persons with impaired fasting glucose levels or impaired glucose tolerance, the use of ramipril for 3 years does not significantly reduce the incidence of diabetes or death but does significantly increase regression to normoglycemia. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00095654.)
Do a web search on health benefits of cinnamon.
That was over a year ago and, so far, the results are good. Seems to help a lot, but it's no miracle cure.
Cool. Now we can sit on our a$$e$ more and live longer. And someone else will probably pay for it ;-) I am sure it will help some people who can't get proper exercise.
"Rosiglitazone" sounds like an Italian name. Didn't Tony Rosiglitazone play MLB?
The reason is you will most likely get a heart attack.
You have to stop the one, wait some period of time, and start the other.
I'd say your physician could advise you how long that might be and there doesn't seem to be any information on the net concerning the matter.
So, it's not just a potential "side effect" ~ you can induce a heart attack simply switching from one drug to the other.
Cinnamon is also supposed to lower cholesterol. Mine was 235 before Lipitor. After Lipitor it was 175. After Lipitor & 2 teaspoons of cinnamon a day is is now 120.
Cinnamon is cheap & tastes good so what the hell.
"Fluid retention, congestive heart failure, and weight gain are known side effects of Avandia" when it's used to treat diabetes, Powers noted.
At first, it sounded promising...
And other studies show that ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are a part of a cure for diabetes, but only part.
Enough said!