A PBS "Nature" program, "The Venom Cure," describes how scientists are collecting venom from a variety of toxic creatures: cone shells, spiders, snakes, amphibians, insects, ticks, toxic fish, and others. The toxins are separated into their component parts, each of which is analyzed and tested for possible therapeutic properties.

Of interest to us is the venom of the cone shells and puffer fish, components of which turns off nerve pain. According to the Nature show, components of the venom of cone shells and puffer fish appear to be effective for even the worst nerve pain and have none of the side effects of current medication. An Aussie article on the drugs from cone shell venom is at http://uninews.unimelb.edu.au/articleid_139.html . An article on pain relieving drugs from the puffer fish is at http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/s...03/1000732.htm.

The web site at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/venomcure/ has links to more information, and streaming video of some of the program.

A copy of the show can be purchased for $20 from http://shopthirteen.org/product/show/23437 or call 1-800-336-1917 .

Hey Wing42,
They had a show on the animal channel last nite on the 10 deadliest bites (stings) and it showed the subject your talking about in action. Lets hope this gets to the market very fast, also the drug Ranirestat is in phase 3 trials. Hope all are able to enjoy the day.
Lanny

Wow, isn't this interesting!!! I go to Cornell for their ACCORD protocol. Got my sugar under control and my A1c is down to 6.5. from 9.0 when I first began over two years ago, when my sugar was 400.

So now I hear of this Ranirestat.

I just got this off the internet.
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The Phase III Trial
The Diabetic Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy (DSP) Trial at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell will examine the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication (Ranirestat) that is designed to slow the progression or possibly reverse the course of DSP.

Introductory testing will determine if a person actually has DSP, and those eligible for the trial will be asked to make 14 visits over the course of one year. Five of the 14 visits will include nerve conduction tests to determine if a patient's condition is improving, worsening, or staying the same. Participants are required to take a daily dose of the investigational medication (Ranirestat) or a placebo. Medication is given orally, and participants have a 3 in 4 chance of receiving the investigational medication. All participants may continue taking their other medications. Testing and medication is provided free of charge.

To be eligible for the trial, patients should:

Have either type I or type II diabetes
Be between 18 and 70 years old
Have a hemoglobin A1c ≥ 7.0%, despite attempts to optimize glycemic control
Have creatinine levels of < 2.0 mg/dL
Have normal AST and ALT, and alkaline phosphate < 2x normal
Patients who are or intend to become pregnant; patients who are nursing; patients with Hepatitis B, C, or HIV infection; or those with neuropathy from causes other than diabetes are not eligible.

The Diabetic Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy (DSP) Trial is being sponsored by Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Japan, and is taking place at 26 sites throughout North America.

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I couldn't keep my Cornell appointment today because I have a cold a chest congestion and I can't do the two hours back and forth with the Access-a-ride to get to Cornell.

My new appointment is July 20. You better believe I will question this Phase 3 trial thing. I don't qualify because my A1c is good. I'm not complaining.

And I take my Methyl B-12.

But what exactly is Ranerestat?? How do they make it?? Is it from venom, or is it another anti-seizure med?? I did read that it prevents the build up of Sorbitol in the body, which contributes to neuropathy.

Now is this the same Sorbitol that is an artificial sweetner?? Thank god, that I don't use this stuff. It used to give me the runs, so I stopped using anything with Sorbitol years and years ago. Haven't touched it since.

I wonder if many diabetics who use sorbitol and get neuropathy, well, whether it makes it worse??? It's a good question, no???

Melody