TGA approves new diabetes risk assessment tool

Diagnostics technology developer Randox Laboratories has secured TGA approval for a new test to assess the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The new test is an assay for Adiponectin, a protein hormone produced and secreted exclusively by adipocytes. This hormone regulates the metabolism of lipids and glucose, influences the body’s response to insulin and has anti-inflammatory effects on cells lining the walls of blood vessels.

This makes low levels of Adiponectin a potential indicator of insulin resistance - a precursor to type 2 diabetes - and of cardiovascular disease.

Randox’s assay uses Latex Enhanced Immunoturbidemetric technology to measure Adiponectin. The company also offers two levels of Adiponectin controls as well as an Adiponectin calibrator.

Randox Laboratories Managing Director Dr Peter FitzGerald said the new test could help tackle the global issue of the rising number of people becoming diabetic.

“[Some] 382 million people currently live with diabetes across the world and, according to the International Diabetes Federation, this figure is predicted to rise by 55% by 2015,” he said.

“Adiponectin assesses an individual’s risk of developing diabetes and allows resources and treatment to be focused on those patients most at risk. This highly targeted strategy should help to decrease the number of people becoming diabetic, while using resources most effectively.”