Evolution of Type 2 Diabetes Management from a Glucocentric Approach to Cardio-Renal Risk Reduction: The New Paradigm of Care

GLP-1 receptor agonists and their role in managing type 2 diabetes

Until recently the focus in diabetes care was on managing blood glucose - a glucocentric view. This is changing to a more holistic model aimed at prevention, treatment and management through lifestyle interventions as well as medication. An estimated 5 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, most have type 2 diabetes which is associated with obesity. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented, treated with diet and weight loss, or managed with medication. The number of people with diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. To manage diabetes well and reduce complications of poorly managed diabetes, management of the condition can no longer be restricted to endocrinologists and diabetes specialist nurses. This article provides guidance on how glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists can be used in the management of type 2 diabetes.

Modification of lipoprotein metabolism and function driving atherogenesis in diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease, characterized by raised blood glucose levels and impaired lipid metabolism resulting from insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. In diabetes, the peculiar plasma lipoprotein phenotype, consisting in higher levels of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins, hypertriglyceridemia, low levels of HDL cholesterol, elevated number of small, dense LDL, and increased non-HDL cholesterol, results from an increased synthesis and impaired clearance of triglyceride rich lipoproteins. This condition accelerates the development of the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the most common cause of death in T2DM patients. Here, we review the alteration of structure, functions, and distribution of circulating lipoproteins and the pathophysiological mechanisms that induce these modifications in T2DM. The review analyzes the influence of diabetes-associated metabolic imbalances throughout the entire process of the atherosclerotic plaque formation, from lipoprotein synthesis to potential plaque destabilization. Addressing the different pathophysiological mechanisms, we suggest improved approaches for assessing the risk of adverse cardiovascular events and clinical strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk in T2DM and cardiometabolic diseases.

Bridging the gap in cardiovascular care in diabetic patients: are cardioprotective antihyperglycemic agents underutilized?

INTRODUCTION

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and heart failure (HF) are two major complications of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Cardiovascular protection is a key objective, yet not fully reached in clinical practice.

AREAS COVERED

Both glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have proven their efficacy in reducing major cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with T2DM and SGLT2is in reducing hospitalization for HF in placebo-controlled randomized trials. However, real-life studies worldwide revealed that only a minority of patients with T2DM receive either a GLP-1RA or an SGLT2i and surprisingly even less patients with established ASCVD or HF are treated with these cardioprotective antihyperglycemic agents.

EXPERT OPINION

Bridging the gap between evidence-based cardiovascular protection with GLP-1RAs and SGLT2is and their underuse in daily clinical practice in patients with T2DM at high risk is crucial from a public health viewpoint. However, the task appears hazardous and the goal not attained considering the current failure. Education of specialists/primary care physicians and patients is critical. Multifaceted and coordinated interventions involving all actors (physicians, patients and broadly health-care system) must be implemented to stimulate the adoption of these cardioprotective antihyperglycemic medications as part of routine cardiovascular care among patients with T2DM.

Reconsidering the role of glycaemic control in cardiovascular disease risk in type 2 diabetes: A 21st century assessment

It is well known that the multiple factors contributing to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) confer an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although the relationship between hyperglycaemia and increased microvascular risk is well established, the relative contribution of hyperglycaemia to macrovascular events has been strongly debated, particularly owing to the failure of attempts to reduce CVD risk through normalizing glycaemia with traditional therapies in high-risk populations. The debate has been further fuelled by the relatively recent discovery of the cardioprotective properties of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Further, as guidelines now recommend individualizing glycaemic targets, highlighting the importance of achieving glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) goals safely, the previously observed negative influences of intensive therapy on CVD risk might not present if trials were repeated using current-day treatments and individualized HbA1c goals. Emerging longitudinal data illuminate the overall effect of excess glucose, the impacts of magnitude and duration of hyperglycaemia on disease progression and risk of CVD complications, and the importance of glycaemic control at or early after diagnosis of T2D for prevention of complications. Herein, we review the role of glucose as a modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, the role of microvascular disease in predicting macrovascular risk, and the deleterious impact of therapeutic inertia on CVD risk. We reconcile new and old data to offer a current perspective, highlighting the importance of effective, early treatment in reducing latent CV risk, and the timely use of appropriate therapy individualized to each patient's needs.

Present and future directions in diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of kidney failure and is associated with substantial risk of cardiovascular disease, morbidity, and mortality. Traditionally, DKD prevention and management have focused on addressing hyperglycemia, hypertension, obesity, and renin-angiotensin system activation as important risk factors for disease. Over the last decade, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have been shown to meaningfully reduce risk of diabetes-related kidney and cardiovascular complications. Additional agents demonstrating benefit in DKD such as non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and endothelin A receptor antagonists are further contributing to the growing arsenal of DKD therapies. With the availability of greater therapeutic options comes the opportunity to individually optimize DKD prevention and management. Novel applications of transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic/lipidomic technologies, as well as use of artificial intelligence and reinforced learning methods through consortia such as the Kidney Precision Medicine Project and focused studies in established cohorts hold tremendous promise for advancing our understanding and treatment of DKD. Specifically, enhanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying DKD pathophysiology may allow for the identification of new mechanism-based DKD subtypes and the development and implementation of targeted therapies. Implementation of personalized care approaches has the potential to revolutionize DKD care.

Hyperlipidemia management in diabetes: First line or supportive therapy?

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetes. Current therapeutic approach has changed from glucocentric to vasculoprotective. This brief review highlights importance of management of hyperlipidemia (raised LDL cholesterol and triglycerides) on CHD outcomes in diabetes.

METHODS

Literature seach was done till March 2022 (Pubmed, Google scholar) using following search words; lipids, cholesterol, statins, triglycerides, fibrates, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty (Omega-3 PUFAs) acids, LDL, diabetes, coronary heart disease.

RESULTS

Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have reported that LDL cholesterol lowering using moderate to high intensity statins significantly reduces adverse CHD outcomes in diabetes. Evidence of triglyceride reduction using fenofibrate or omega-3 PUFAs is not very robust although a trial of a purified omega-3 PUFAs has shown significant benefit.

CONCLUSION

Lipid lowering with statins along with comprehensive lifestyle changes in addition to glucose control is recommended as first-line therapy to reduce CHD mortality and morbidity in diabetes.

Cardiovascular and Renal Effectiveness of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists vs. Other Glucose-Lowering Drugs in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Real-World Studies

Cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOT) showed that treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) is associated with significant cardiovascular benefits. However, CVOT are scarcely representative of everyday clinical practice, and real-world studies could provide clinicians with more relatable evidence. Here, literature was thoroughly searched to retrieve real-world studies investigating the cardiovascular and renal outcomes of GLP-1RA vs. other glucose-lowering drugs and carry out relevant meta-analyses thereof. Most real-world studies were conducted in populations at low cardiovascular and renal risk. Of note, real-world studies investigating cardio-renal outcomes of GLP-1RA suggested that initiation of GLP-1RA was associated with a greater benefit on composite cardiovascular outcomes, MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events), all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular death, peripheral artery disease, and heart failure compared to other glucose-lowering drugs with the exception of sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i). Initiation of SGLT-2i and GLP-1RA yielded similar effects on composite cardiovascular outcomes, MACE, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Conversely, GLP-1RA were less effective on heart failure prevention compared to SGLT-2i. Finally, the few real-world studies addressing renal outcomes suggested a significant benefit of GLP-1RA on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reduction and hard renal outcomes vs. active comparators except SGLT-2i. Further real-world evidence is needed to clarify the role of GLP-1RA in cardio-renal protection among available glucose-lowering drugs.

SGLT-2 inhibitors as cardio-renal protective agents

Despite remarkable advances in diabetes care, patients with type 2 diabetes are still burdened by higher morbidity and mortality than non-diabetic individuals. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease represent the most relevant causes of morbidity and mortality and sustain each other in a vicious circle. Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease, and, in turn, chronic kidney disease is a significant contributor to the risk of major cardiovascular events and hospitalization for heart failure. Cardiovascular outcome trials with SGLT-2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes yielded unprecedented results on prevention of worsening heart failure and renal disease progression and mortality, further confirmed by randomized controlled trials in patients with baseline heart failure and chronic kidney disease, with or without diabetes, and observations from the real-world setting. However, the evidence regarding SGLT-2 inhibitors benefit on atherosclerotic cardiovascular events is conflicting. Hence, SGLT-2 inhibitors represent a remarkably valuable weapon in diabetes management, to be used in the context of a multi-targeted treatment strategy to address the many issues of this multifaceted disease.

Association of Metformin with the Mortality and Incidence of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Pre-existing Cardiovascular Diseases

INTRODUCTION

Whether metformin reduces all-cause cardiovascular mortality and the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remains inconclusive. Some randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies have shown that metformin is associated with an increased risk of mortality and cardiovascular events.

METHODS

We conducted a pooling synthesis to assess the effects of metformin in all-cause cardiovascular mortality and incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with CVD. Studies published up to October 2021 in PubMed or Embase with a registration in PROSPERO (CRD42020189905) were collected. Both RCT and cohort studies were included. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI were pooled across various trials using the random-effects model.

RESULTS

This study enrolled 35 published studies (in 14 publications) for qualitative synthesis and identified 33 studies (published in 26 publications) for quantitative analysis. We analysed a total of 61,704 patients, among them 58,271 patients were used to calculate all-cause mortality while 12,814 patients were used to calculate cardiovascular mortality. Compared with non-metformin control, metformin usage is associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality (HR: 0.90; 95% CI 0.83, 0.98; p = 0.01), cardiovascular mortality (HR: 0.89; 95% CI 0.85, 0.94; p < 0.0001), incidence of coronary revascularisation (HR: 0.79; 95% CI 0.64, 0.98; p = 0.03), and heart failure (HR: 0.90; 95% CI 0.87, 0.94; p < 0.0001) in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases.

CONCLUSION

Metformin use is associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, incidence of coronary revascularisation, and heart failure in patients with CVD; however, metformin usage was not associated with reduction in the incidence of myocardial infarction, angina, or stroke.