Efficacy and safety of semaglutide in glycemic control, body weight management, lipid profiles and other biomarkers among obese type 2 diabetes patients initiated or switched to semaglutide from other GLP-1 receptor agonists

Clinical significance of circulating long non-coding RNA SNHG1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its association with cell proliferation of pancreatic β-cell

BACKGROUND

To explore the association of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG1/ miR-195 axis with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and islet function.

METHODS

The expression of SNHG1 and miR-195 was measured in T2DM patients and in healthy subjects. Correlation between indciators was evaluated using Pearson correlation analysis. INS-1 cells were used to perform the cell function assays. Insulin secretion by INS-1 was detected using ELISA. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry was used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis. Luciferase report assay was to used to verify the target of SNHG1.

RESULTS

The expression of SNHG1 was increased and miR-195 level was decreased in the serum of T2DM patients. Both SNHG1 and miR-195 could be biomarkers for T2DM diagnosis. The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c were positively related to SNHG1 and negatively related to miR-195. SNHG1 inhibited insulin secretion, and cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis of INS-1 cells via binding to miR-195.

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of SNHG1 and miR-195 might predict T2DM. SNHG1 could suppress proliferation and insulin secretion, but promote apoptosis of INS-1 cells via sponging miR-195.

REAL life study of subcutaneous SEMaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes in SPain: Ambispective, multicenter clinical study. Results in the GLP1-experienced cohort

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of switching to once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were previously treated with other glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in a real-world setting in Spain.

METHODS

The REAL Life study of SEMaglutide in Patients with Type 2 diabetes in Spain (REALSEM-SP) was conducted in four endocrinology departments in Madrid, Spain. Adult patients with T2DM who were prescribed once-weekly (OW) subcutaneous semaglutide and had been previously treated with other GLP-1 RAs were included. Baseline characteristics, including demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory variables, were recorded at baseline and at 6 ± 3 and 12 ± 3 months of follow-up. The primary outcome was the change in HbA1c at 12 ± 3 months of follow-up, with secondary outcomes including changes in weight, BMI, and other glycemic parameters.

RESULTS

A total of 267 patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 61.6 years and a mean T2DM duration of 11.3 years. The majority of patients had grade 1 or 2 obesity at baseline. Switching to OW-semaglutide was associated with a significant reduction in HbA1c from baseline to 13 months (-0.35 % ± 0.81). Patients who reached the 1.0 mg OW-dose showed a significant reduction in HbA1c compared to those on the ≤0.5 mg OW-dose. Significant reductions in weight, BMI, and fasting plasma glucose were also observed. Adverse events were mostly gastrointestinal and led to treatment withdrawal in few cases.

CONCLUSION

Switching to OW-subcutaneous semaglutide in patients with T2DM previously treated with other GLP-1 RAs was associated to improvements in glycemic control and weight management in a real-world setting in Spain. These findings support the use of OW-semaglutide as an effective option for patients with T2DM who require additional glycemic control and weight management.

Switching to Tirzepatide 5 mg From Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists: Clinical Expectations in the First 12 Weeks of Treatment

OBJECTIVE

This prospective study aimed to describe the clinical course in terms of glycemic outcomes, body weight, and adverse events during the first 12 weeks following a switch from glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) directly to tirzepatide 5 mg.

METHODS

Participants were ≥18 years with type 2 diabetes (T2D), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5% to ≤9.0%, body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 and were on a stable treatment dose of GLP-1 RAs (liraglutide every day [1.2, 1.8 mg], semaglutide once-weekly [0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg], or dulaglutide once-weekly [0.75, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mg]) for ≥3 months at baseline. The primary end point was HbA1c change from baseline at week 12. Secondary end points included change from baseline in fasting serum glucose, body weight, and glucose assessed by continuous glucose monitoring. Safety was also assessed.

RESULTS

Participants were 58.3 years on average, with baseline HbA1c 7.39%, body mass index 35.18 kg/m2, T2D duration around 12.4 years, and included 55% females. Semaglutide (55%) and dulaglutide (42%) were the most commonly used GLP-1 RAs at baseline with semaglutide 1.0 mg and dulaglutide 1.5 mg being the most common treatment doses. At week 12, mean HbA1c changed from baseline by -0.43%, fasting serum glucose by -7.83 mg/dL, and body weight by -2.15 kg (all P < .01). Glycemic outcomes and body weight improved in participants in all baseline GLP-1 RA subgroups. Twenty participants (13.2%) developed gastrointestinal events. Three (2%) participants discontinued tirzepatide due to adverse events. There were no severe hypoglycemic events or deaths.

CONCLUSION

In this prospective study, when people with T2D on stable GLP-1 RA treatment were switched directly to tirzepatide 5 mg, they experienced improved glycemic outcomes and additional weight reduction with an acceptable risk of adverse gastrointestinal events over 12 weeks.

Mechanisms of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Beneficial Effects of Semaglutide: A Review

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease stands as the predominant cause of chronic liver disease, with its prevalence and morbidity expected to escalate significantly, leading to substantial healthcare costs and diminished health-related quality of life. It comprises a range of disease manifestations that commence with basic steatosis, involving the accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes, a distinctive histological feature. If left untreated, it often advances to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, marked by inflammatory and/or fibrotic hepatic changes, leading to the eventual development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-related cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Because of the liver's vital role in body metabolism, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is considered both a consequence and a contributor to the metabolic abnormalities observed in the metabolic syndrome. As of date, there are no authorized pharmacological agents for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Semaglutide, with its glycemic and weight loss advantages, could potentially offer benefits for individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This review aims to investigate the impact of semaglutide on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Evolving role of semaglutide in NAFLD: in combination, weekly and oral administration

Non alcoholic fatty disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease that is managed in the liver departments. It seems that the prevalence of the disease is rising worldwide and as it has the same pathogenetic pathways with metabolic syndrome, treatments that target components of the metabolic syndrome seem promising for the therapy of NAFLD as well. In this review we discuss the evolving role of semaglutide, which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) that has been already approved for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity.

Case Report: Semaglutide-associated depression: a report of two cases

Semaglutide, as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), was approved for glucose control in type 2 diabetes mellitus in 2017 and approved for weight loss in 2021 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No psychiatric adverse effect associated with semaglutide has been reported so far. Here we report two cases of semaglutide-associated depression. One is a middle-aged man with no previous history of depression who developed depressive symptoms about 1 month after taking semaglutide. The other one is a middle-aged woman with recurrent depressive disorder whose symptoms also recurred about 1 month after semaglutide treatment. Depression was improved or relieved after discontinuation of semaglutide in both cases. Possible psychiatric adverse effects of depression should be taken into consideration when semaglutide is administered to patients.

Real-world clinical effectiveness of once-weekly semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION

The efficacy of once-weekly (O.W.) semaglutide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been demonstrated in clinical trials. The aim of this systematic literature review was to summarize real-world evidence for O.W. semaglutide.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scilit databases was performed from January 2017 to June 2022 to identify eligible real-world studies examining O.W. semaglutide in T2DM.

RESULTS

Thirty-one records (18 full-text and 13 abstracts) were identified. The general characteristics of studies and included patients were summarized. Changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and body weight were analyzed across studies and according to patient characteristics: baseline HbA1c/weight level, GLP-1 RA-naïve/ GLP-1RA-experienced. The effectiveness of O.W. semaglutide compared with dulaglutide, and the dose of O.W. semaglutide in the real world were also summarized.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic literature review provided complementary evidence to findings from the clinical trials and provided a more comprehensive picture of the use of O.W. semaglutide in routine clinical practice. Results of the review suggested that O.W. semaglutide therapy was associated with improving glycemic control and weight loss in both T2DM patients naïve to GLP-1RA and those previously treated with other GLP-1RA in routine clinical practice.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

CRD42022306164.

Which is the optimal antiobesity agent for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the commonest chronic liver disease and affects a considerable proportion of the general population worldwide. Obesity is a major risk factor for development and progression of NAFLD and weight loss is an effective intervention for the management of NAFLD. However, few patients achieve substantial and sustained weight loss with lifestyle measures. Therefore, antiobesity agents are frequently considered in patients with NAFLD but there are limited data on their safety and efficacy. In the present review, we discuss the role of antiobesity agents in the management of NAFLD. All approved antiobesity agents appear to reduce transaminase levels and to improve steatosis in patients with NAFLD. However, their effects on fibrosis are less well studied and whether they affect liver-related outcomes, including progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer, is unknown. The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, liraglutide and semaglutide, appear to represent a first-line option in obese patients with NAFLD and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) since they induce considerable weight loss and have been extensively studied in patients with T2DM. However, more studies are needed to evaluated their effects on liver-related and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with NAFLD, particularly in those without T2DM.

Impact of semaglutide on biochemical and radiologic measures of metabolic-dysfunction associated fatty liver disease across the spectrum of glycaemia: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

No meta-analysis has analysed efficacy and safety of semaglutide in metabolic-dysfunction associated fatty-liver disease (MAFLD).

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched for RCTs involving people with MAFLD and/or type-2 diabetes (T2DM) receiving semaglutide. Primary outcome was to evaluate changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Secondary outcomes were to evaluate alterations in other measures of NAFLD, glycaemia, lipids and adverse-events.

RESULTS

Data from 4 RCTs (2115 patients) was analysed. A greater lowering with injectable semaglutide 0.4mg/0.5 mg once weekly was seen with regards to ALT [MD -3.89U/L (95%CI: -5.41 to -2.36); P < 0.01; I² = 0%; 2050 patients], liver stiffness (fibroscan®) [MD -3.19 kPa (95%CI: -3.26 to -3.12); P < 0.01; 162 patients], steatosis [MD -13.40 dB/m (95%CI: 20.56 to -6.24); P < 0.01; 162 patients], triglycerides [MD -21.43 mg/dl (95% CI: 41.63 to -1.23); P = 0.04; I² = 99%; 2050 patients], total cholesterol [MD -5.53 mg/dl (95% CI: -8.45 to -2.61); P < 0.01; I² = 0%; 1888 patients], LDL-cholesterol [MD -3.55 mg/dl (95% CI: -5.87 to -1.23); P < 0.01; I² = 0%; 1888 patients], percent-weight [MD -8.99% (95%CI: -14.64 to -3.34); P = 0.002; I² = 100%; 2115 patient] and HbA1c [MD -0.77% (95%CI: 1.10 to -0.45); P = 0.002; I² = 100%; 2115 patients]. Number of patients inadequate to comment on histopathologic measures of MAFLD. Occurrence of treatment-emergent adverse-events [RR 2.31 (95% CI: 0.76-7.06); P = 0.14; I² = 82%] and severe adverse events [RR 1.07 (95%CI: 0.69-1.65); P = 0.77; I² = 33%] were comparable. Adverse-events leading to trial discontinuation [RR 2.37 (95% CI: 1.33-4.22); P = 0.003; I² = 24%], diarrhea [RR 2.05 (95%CI: 1.17-3.60); P = 0.01; I² = 66%], nausea [RR 4.98 (95%CI: 3.23-7.67); P < 0.001; I² = 0%] and vomiting [RR 3.90 (95%CI: 1.75-8.68); P < 0.01; I² = 54%] were higher with semaglutide.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis provides reassuring data on efficacy of low dose semaglutide injections in improving ALT and certain radiologic features in MAFLD. Current conclusions are limited by small number of patients evaluated. Urgent need remains for larger studies focussing on liver biopsy.