WASHINGTON – Federal health officials have moved to put the strongest warning labels on two diabetes drugs, including Avandia, whose possible side effects were the focus of a heated congressional hearing Wednesday accusing the government and drug maker of sitting on information about the health risks.

The Food and Drug Administration requested “black box” warnings for Avandia and the other drug, Actos, after a study raised serious concerns that patients taking Avandia were at increased risk of heart attack.

Since the study’s publication last month, the FDA has faced criticism for failing to warn patients about the possible health risks, as the agency failed to do before the withdrawal of the painkiller Vioxx. Congress is investigating why the FDA waited years to follow up on reports about Avandia’s side effects.

Study links hormone to possible weight loss

DALLAS – A recently discovered hormone is instrumental in helping the body switch its fuel source from sugar to fat, new research from Dallas and Boston scientists suggests.

The findings could explain some aspects of the success of low-carb diets, provide new ideas for weight loss drugs, and one day help doctors recommend scientifically designed, personalized eating plans.

Researchers caution the new studies are done only on lab mice.

“The open question is about how this applies to humans,” said neuroscientist Randy Seeley, associate director of the Obesity Research Center at the University of Cincinnati, who was not involved in the research.

But, he added, “this definitely puts [the hormone] on the map as potential targets that companies will begin studying.”