As a continuation of Melody's thread about ranirestat there was an interesting report Tuesday that links diet sodas w/ metabolic syndrome and indirectly then, perhaps w/ PN too.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1185...e_health_right

Apparently, the debate is ongoing and vigorous whether diet sodas actually benefit weight loss - some evidence suggests that there is no statistical difference in weight from consuming regular vs diet soda since diet sodas are usually linked to an unhealthier life style and can cause people to eat more than normal. In any case, there may be a true connection between diet soda consumption, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Given the increasing evidence relating metabolic syndrome - prediabetes - impaired glucose tolerance w/ PN, particularly painful SFPN it appears a connection may well be proven in the future.
I have first hand experience with the negative physical affects of large amounts of diet sodas over many years - no need to point out the obvious to me - some of us are VERY, VERY SLOW learners.

In any case I included a link to an old (05) Vinik paper and to the Syndrome X society home page. There are other references too.
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs...met.2005.3.113
http://www.syndromexassoc.org/Home.asp

Alkymst