The cardiovascular safety trials of DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors

Biotransformation and disposition characteristics of HSK7653, a novel long-acting dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

AIM

To investigate the metabolism and disposition characteristics of HSK7653 in healthy male Chinese participants.

METHODS

A single oral dose of 80 μCi (25 mg) [14C]HSK7653 capsules was administered to six healthy participants, and blood, plasma, urine and faeces were collected. Quantitative and qualitative analysis was conducted to investigate the pharmacokinetics, blood-to-plasma ratio, mass balance and metabolism of HSK7653.

RESULTS

The drug was well absorbed and reached a maximum concentration at 1.25 h. The drug-related components (HSK7653 and its metabolites) were eliminated slowly, with a half-life (t1/2) of 111 h. Unchanged HSK7653 contributed to more than 97% of the total radioactivity in all plasma samples. The blood-to-plasma ratio (0.573-0.845) indicated that HSK7653 did not tend to distribute into blood cells. At 504 h postdose, up to 95.9% of the dose was excreted, including 79.8% in urine and 16.1% in faeces. Most of the radioactivity (75.5% dose) in excreta was unchanged HSK7653. In addition, nine metabolites were detected in urine and faeces. The most abundant metabolite was M6-2, a dioxidation product of HSK7653, which accounted for 4.73% and 2.63% of the dose in urine and faeces, respectively. The main metabolic pathways of HSK7653 in vivo included oxidation, pyrrole ring opening and sulphonamide hydrolysation.

CONCLUSION

HSK7653 was well absorbed, slightly metabolized and slowly excreted in humans. The high plasma exposure and long t1/2 of HSK7653 may contribute to its long-lasting efficacy as a long-acting dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor.

Association between sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and arrhythmic outcomes in patients with diabetes and pre-existing atrial fibrillation

AIMS

Prior studies suggest that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) may decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is unknown whether SGLT2i can attenuate the disease course of AF among patients with pre-existing AF and Type II diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, our objective was to examine the association between SGLT2i prescription and arrhythmic outcomes among patients with DM and pre-existing AF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a population-based cohort study of adults with DM and AF between 2014 and 2019. Using a prevalent new-user design, individuals prescribed SGLT2i were matched 1:1 to those prescribed dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is) based on time-conditional propensity scores. The primary endpoint was a composite of AF-related healthcare utilization (i.e. hospitalization, emergency department visits, electrical cardioversion, or catheter ablation). Secondary outcome measures included all-cause mortality, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, and ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association of SGLT2i with the study endpoint. Among 2242 patients with DM and AF followed for an average of 3.0 years, the primary endpoint occurred in 8.7% (n = 97) of patients in the SGLT2i group vs. 10.0% (n = 112) of patients in the DPP4i group [adjusted hazard ratio 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.55-0.96; P = 0.03)]. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors were associated with significant reductions in all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization, but there was no difference in the risk of ischaemic stroke/TIA.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with DM and pre-existing AF, SGLT2is are associated with decreased AF-related health resource utilization and improved arrhythmic outcomes compared with DPP4is.

Novel Antidiabetic Agents and Their Effects on Lipid Profile: A Single Shot for Several Cardiovascular Targets

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) represents one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Hyperglycemia and glycemic variability are not the only determinant of the increased cardiovascular (CV) risk in diabetic patients, as a frequent metabolic disorder associated with DM is dyslipidemia, characterized by hypertriglyceridemia, decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and a shift towards small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This pathological alteration, also called diabetic dyslipidemia, represents a relevant factor which could promotes atherosclerosis and subsequently an increased CV morbidity and mortality. Recently, the introduction of novel antidiabetic agents, such as sodium glucose transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), has been associated with a significant improvement in CV outcomes. Beyond their known action on glycemia, their positive effects on the CV system also seems to be related to an ameliorated lipidic profile. In this context, this narrative review summarizes the current knowledge regarding these novel anti-diabetic drugs and their effects on diabetic dyslipidemia, which could explain the provided global benefit to the cardiovascular system.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors and the Short-term Risk of Bladder Cancer: An International Multisite Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, compared with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) or dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, are associated with an increased risk of early bladder cancer events.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a multisite, population-based, new-user, active comparator cohort study using the U.K. Clinical Practice Research Datalink, Medicare fee-for-service, Optum's de-identifed Clinformatics Data Mart Database (CDM), and MarketScan Health databases from January 2013 through December 2020. We assembled two cohorts of adults with type 2 diabetes initiating 1) SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1RAs and 2) SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP-4 inhibitors. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs of incident bladder cancer. The models were weighted using propensity score fine stratification. Site-specific HRs were pooled using random-effects models.

RESULTS

SGLT2 inhibitor (n = 453,560) and GLP-1RA (n = 375,997) users had a median follow-up ranging from 1.5 to 2.2 years. Overall, SGLT2 inhibitors were not associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer compared with GLP-1RAs (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.81-1.00). Similarly, when compared with DPP-4 inhibitors (n = 853,186), SGLT2 inhibitors (n = 347,059) were not associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.91-1.09) over a median follow-up ranging from 1.6 to 2.6 years. Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to previous randomized controlled trials, these findings indicate that the use of SGLT2 inhibitors is not associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer compared with GLP-1RAs or DPP-4 inhibitors. This should provide reassurance on the short-term effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on bladder cancer incidence.

Hypoglycaemic therapy in frail older people with type 2 diabetes mellitus-a choice determined by metabolic phenotype

Frailty is a newly emerging complication of diabetes in older people and increasingly recognised in national and international clinical guidelines. However, frailty remains less clearly defined and frail older people with diabetes are rarely characterised. The general recommendation of clinical guidelines is to aim for a relaxed glycaemic control, mainly to avoid hypoglycaemia, in this often-vulnerable group of patients. With increasing age and development of frailty, body composition changes are characterised by an increase in visceral adipose tissue and a decrease in body muscle mass. Depending on the overall body weight, differential loss of muscle fibre types and body adipose/muscle tissue ratio, the presence of any associated frailty can be seen as a spectrum of metabolic phenotypes that vary in insulin resistance of which we have defined two specific phenotypes. The sarcopenic obese (SO) frail phenotype with increased visceral fat and increased insulin resistance on one side of spectrum and the anorexic malnourished (AM) frail phenotype with significant muscle loss and reduced insulin resistance on the other. In view of these varying metabolic phenotypes, the choice of hypoglycaemic therapy, glycaemic targets and overall goals of therapy are likely to be different. In the SO phenotype, weight-limiting hypoglycaemic agents, especially the new agents of GLP-1RA and SGLT-2 inhibitors, should be considered early on in therapy due to their benefits on weight reduction and ability to achieve tight glycaemic control where the focus will be on the reduction of cardiovascular risk. In the AM phenotype, weight-neutral agents or insulin therapy should be considered early on due to their benefits of limiting further weight loss and the possible anabolic effects of insulin. Here, the goals of therapy will be a combination of relaxed glycaemic control and avoidance of hypoglycaemia; and the focus will be on maintenance of a good quality of life. Future research is still required to develop novel hypoglycaemic agents with a positive effect on body composition in frailty and improvements in clinical outcomes.

Small-molecule antagonism of the interaction of the RAGE cytoplasmic domain with DIAPH1 reduces diabetic complications in mice

The macro- and microvascular complications of type 1 and 2 diabetes lead to increased disease severity and mortality. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) can bind AGEs and multiple proinflammatory ligands that accumulate in diabetic tissues. Preclinical studies indicate that RAGE antagonists have beneficial effects on numerous complications of diabetes. However, these antagonists target the extracellular domains of RAGE, which bind distinct RAGE ligands at diverse sites in the immunoglobulin-like variable domain and two constant domains. The cytoplasmic tail of RAGE (ctRAGE) binds to the formin, Diaphanous-1 (DIAPH1), and this interaction is important for RAGE signaling. To comprehensively capture the breadth of RAGE signaling, we developed small-molecule antagonists of ctRAGE-DIAPH1 interaction, termed RAGE229. We demonstrated that RAGE229 is effective in suppressing RAGE-DIAPH1 binding, Förster resonance energy transfer, and biological activities in cellular assays. Using solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we defined the molecular underpinnings of the interaction of RAGE229 with RAGE. Through in vivo experimentation, we showed that RAGE229 assuaged short- and long-term complications of diabetes in both male and female mice, without lowering blood glucose concentrations. Last, the treatment with RAGE229 reduced plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, and CCL2/JE-MCP1 in diabetic mice, in parallel with reduced pathological and functional indices of diabetes-like kidney disease. Targeting ctRAGE-DIAPH1 interaction with RAGE229 mitigated diabetic complications in rodents by attenuating inflammatory signaling.

Allosteric MAPKAPK2 inhibitors improve plaque stability in advanced atherosclerosis

Atherosclerotic vascular disease resulting from unstable plaques is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and thus a major therapeutic goal is to discover T2D drugs that can also promote atherosclerotic plaque stability. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase-2 (MAPKAPK2 or MK2) in obese mice improves glucose homeostasis and enhances insulin sensitivity. We developed two novel orally active small-molecule inhibitors of MK2, TBX-1 and TBX-2, and tested their effects on metabolism and atherosclerosis in high-fat Western diet (WD)-fed Ldlr-/- mice. Ldlr-/- mice were first fed the WD to allow atherosclerotic lesions to become established, and the mice were then treated with TBX-1 or TBX-2. Both compounds improved glucose metabolism and lowered plasma cholesterol and triglyceride, without an effect on body weight. Most importantly, the compounds decreased lesion area, lessened plaque necrosis, and increased fibrous cap thickness in the aortic root lesions of the mice. Thus, in a preclinical model of high-fat feeding and established atherosclerosis, MK2 inhibitors improved metabolism and also enhanced atherosclerotic plaque stability, suggesting potential for further clinical development to address the epidemic of T2D associated with atherosclerotic vascular disease.

SGLT2 inhibitors: a focus on cardiac benefits and potential mechanisms

This paper highlights the cardioprotective potential of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SLGT2i), as well as several most discussed mechanisms responsible for their cardioprotection. Cardiovascular diseases are considered a primary cause of death in nearly 80% of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, with a 2-4-fold greater incidence of heart failure (HF) among diabetics. As novel hypoglycemics, SGLT2i showed exceptional cardiovascular benefits, reflected through robust reductions of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization for HF in T2DM patients. Recently, those effects have been reported even in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction irrespectively of diabetic status, suggesting that cardioprotective effects of SGLT2i are driven independently of their hypoglycemic actions. SGLT2i exerted hemodynamic and metabolic effects, partially driven by natriuresis and osmotic diuresis. However, those systemic effects are modest, and therefore cannot be completely related to the cardiac benefits of these agents in T2DM patients. Hence, increased circulating ketone levels during SGLT2i administration have brought out another hypothesis of a cardiac metabolic switch. Moreover, SGLT2i influence ion homeostasis and exert anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. Their enviable influence on oxidative stress markers, as well as anti- and pro-apoptotic factors, have also been reported. However, since the main mechanistical contributor of their cardioprotection has not been elucidated yet, a joint action of systemic and molecular mechanisms has been suggested. In the light of ongoing trials evaluating the effects of SGLT2i in patients with HF and preserved ejection fraction, a new chapter of beneficial SGLT2i mechanisms is expected, which might resolve their main underlying action.

Incretin Hormones in Obesity and Related Cardiometabolic Disorders: The Clinical Perspective

The prevalence of obesity continues to grow rapidly worldwide, posing many public health challenges of the 21st century. Obese subjects are at major risk for serious diet-related noncommunicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Understanding the mechanisms underlying obesity pathogenesis is needed for the development of effective treatment strategies. Dysregulation of incretin secretion and actions has been observed in obesity and related metabolic disorders; therefore, incretin-based therapies have been developed to provide new therapeutic options. Incretin mimetics present glucose-lowering properties, together with a reduction of appetite and food intake, resulting in weight loss. In this review, we describe the physiology of two known incretins—glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and their role in obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders. We also focus on the available and incoming incretin-based medications that can be used in the treatment of the above-mentioned conditions.

Diabetes and Its Complications: Therapies Available, Anticipated and Aspired

Worldwide, diabetes ranks among the ten leading causes of mortality. Prevalence of diabetes is growing rapidly in low and middle income countries. It is a progressive disease leading to serious co-morbidities, which results in increased cost of treatment and over-all health system of the country. Pathophysiological alterations in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) progressed from a simple disturbance in the functioning of the pancreas to triumvirate to ominous octet to egregious eleven to dirty dozen model. Due to complex interplay of multiple hormones in T2D, there may be multifaceted approach in its management. The 'long-term secondary complications' in uncontrolled diabetes may affect almost every organ of the body, and finally may lead to multi-organ dysfunction. Available therapies are inconsistent in maintaining long term glycemic control and their long term use may be associated with adverse effects. There is need for newer drugs, not only for glycemic control but also for prevention or mitigation of secondary microvascular and macrovascular complications. Increased knowledge of the pathophysiology of diabetes has contributed to the development of novel treatments. Several new agents like Glucagon Like Peptide - 1 (GLP-1) agonists, Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors, amylin analogues, Sodium-Glucose transport -2 (SGLT- 2) inhibitors and dual Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) agonists are available or will be available soon, thus extending the range of therapy for T2D, thereby preventing its long term complications. The article discusses the pathophysiology of diabetes along with its comorbidities, with a focus on existing and novel upcoming antidiabetic drugs which are under investigation. It also dives deep to deliberate upon the novel therapies that are in various stages of development. Adding new options with new mechanisms of action to the treatment armamentarium of diabetes may eventually help improve outcomes and reduce its economic burden.

Glycemic Variability, Oxidative Stress, and Impact on Complications Related to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Chronic hyperglycemia is an established risk factor for the development of complications in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but glycemic variability has emerged as a possible independent risk factor for diabetes complications, possibly through oxidative stress. In this review, methods to access glycemic variability and oxidative stress, as well as their correlations, are discussed. Non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies are also debated to achieve better glycemic control, not only by HbA1c target but also with reduced glycemic fluctuations, possibly minimizing the risk of diabetes complications.

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events: multi-database retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the risk of cardiovascular events between sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors among people with type 2 diabetes in a real world context of clinical practice.

DESIGN

Multi-database retrospective cohort study using a prevalent new user design with subsequent meta-analysis.

SETTING

Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES), with administrative healthcare databases from seven Canadian provinces and the United Kingdom, 2013-18.

POPULATION

209 867 new users of a SGLT2 inhibitor matched to 209 867 users of a DPP-4 inhibitor on time conditional propensity score and followed for a mean of 0.9 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, a composite of myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, or cardiovascular death). Secondary outcomes were the individual components of MACE, heart failure, and all cause mortality. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate site specific adjusted hazards ratios and 95% confidence intervals, comparing use of SGLT2 inhibitors with use of DPP-4 inhibitors in an as treated approach. Site specific results were pooled using random effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with decreased risks of MACE (incidence rate per 1000 person years: 11.4 v 16.5; hazard ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 0.84), myocardial infarction (5.1 v 6.4; 0.82, 0.70 to 0.96), cardiovascular death (3.9 v 7.7; 0.60, 0.54 to 0.67), heart failure (3.1 v 7.7; 0.43, 0.37 to 0.51), and all cause mortality (8.7 v 17.3; 0.60, 0.54 to 0.67). SGLT2 inhibitors had more modest benefits for ischaemic stroke (2.6 v 3.5; 0.85, 0.72 to 1.01). Similar benefits for MACE were observed with canagliflozin (0.79, 0.66 to 0.94), dapagliflozin (0.73, 0.63 to 0.85), and empagliflozin (0.77, 0.68 to 0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large observational study conducted in a real world clinical practice context, the short term use of SGLT2 inhibitors was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular events compared with the use of DPP-4 inhibitors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03939624.

Evidence-Based Clinical Review on Cardiovascular Benefits of SGLT2 (Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter Type 2) Inhibitors in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Therefore, there has been an increasing endorsement from diabetic associations across the globe for the use of anti-diabetic drugs, which not only provide not only glycemic control but also have cardioprotective effects. Sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are one class of drugs that have shown evidence of CV benefits in patients with type 2 DM. We reviewed the published literature and found five adequately powered clinical trials that evaluated the CV effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in type 2 DM patients. These trials assessed the CV effect of three SGLT2 inhibitors, namely, empagliflozin, canagliflozin, and dapagliflozin. It was found that all these clinical trials were multi-centric and conducted in and after 2015 across different parts of the World, enrolling type 2 DM patients with varied baseline characteristics in terms of age, BMI, sex, glomerular filtration rate, history of existing renal diseases, etc. In spite of these differences, the SGLT2 drugs were found to be beneficial by significantly reducing all-cause mortality, mortality due to CV causes, and risk of major CV events. All the studies highlighted the cardioprotective effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors, especially empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and canagliflozin in type 2 DM patients with established CV disease, but the studies could not find significant improvement in 3P-MACE (three-point major adverse CV event) indicators offered by these drugs except empagliflozin. Hence, adequately powered clinical trials with long follow-up durations are the need of the hour to address this issue specifically.

Using adult stem cells to monitor endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes affects approximately 10.5% of adults in the United States and this is projected to nearly double by 2025. Both type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and obesity are associated with endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, endothelial cell inflammation, cardiovascular pro-thrombotic states and are the most common causes of endothelial dysfunction, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lately several new diabetes medications have come to clinical use that claim CVD risk improvement, however modalities used to test and monitor CVD risk are not cell based, which bring into question the reproducibility of these studies. Our review is designed to highlight cardiovascular risk reduction with novel diabetes medications while emphasizing cellular outcomes as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk. We are going to highlight studies that comment on peripheral blood derived CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, as biomarkers of endothelial function. CD34+ cells have been extensively investigated by us and several other laboratories for the last two decades, as a viable cardiovascular function biomarker. In this context we will also discuss relevant CVD risk reduction trials that used novel diabetes medications.

The treament of hyperglycemia in acute ischemic stroke with incretin-based drugs

Stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Considerable experimental and clinical evidence suggests that both diabetes mellitus (DM) and post-stroke hyperglycemia are associated with increased mortality rate and worsened clinical conditions in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Insulin treatment does not seem to provide convincing benefits for these patients, therefore prompting a change of strategy. The selective agonists of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptors (GLP-1Ras) and the Inhibitors of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV (DPP-IVIs, gliptins) are two newer classes of glucose-lowering drugs used for the treatment of DM. This review examines in detail the rationale for their development and the physicochemical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and clinical activities. Emphasis will be placed on their neuroprotective effects at cellular and molecular levels in experimental models of acute cerebral ischemia. In perspective, an adequate basis does exist for a novel therapeutic approach to hyperglycemia in AIS patients through the additive treatment with GLP-1Ras plus DPP-IVIs.

Cardiovascular outcomes and mortality after initiation of canagliflozin: Analyses from the EASEL Study

INTRODUCTION

In the EASEL study of patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, initiation of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events and mortality and higher risk of below-knee lower extremity (BKLE) amputation versus non-SGLT2i therapies. This analysis further examined risk of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular and noncardiovascular death and BKLE amputation with the SGLT2i canagliflozin versus non-SGLT2i.

METHODS

New user cohorts were constructed from Department of Defense Military Health System patients initiating canagliflozin or non-SGLT2i (4/1/2013-12/31/2016). Propensity score matching (1:1) controlled for imbalances in baseline covariates. Incidence rates, hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for time to first composite outcome of all-cause mortality (ACM) and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), composite major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and individual components were evaluated using conditional Cox models. The National Death Index was used to differentiate cardiovascular from noncardiovascular death. The exploratory safety end-point was BKLE amputation.

RESULTS

After propensity matching, 15 394 patients with well-balanced baseline covariates were followed for a median of 2.03 years (intent-to-treat). Canagliflozin showed significant benefit for ACM and HHF (P < .0001), MACE (P = .0001), cardiovascular death (P < .0001) and noncardiovascular death (P = .0018). No significant difference in risk of BKLE amputation was observed (P = .20), though few events were observed. Results were generally consistent in on-treatment analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

In this high cardiovascular risk cohort studied in routine clinical practice, canagliflozin was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality with no significant increase in BKLE amputation risk versus non-SGLT2i.

Effect of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors versus Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors on Cardiovascular Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Artery Disease

Background

Randomized controlled trials demonstrated lowering risks of cardiovascular events with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and high cardiovascular risk. We analyzed the effects of cardiovascular function on SGLT2 inhibitors compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors in T2DM with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or heart failure (HF).

Methods

This is a retrospective, observational, single center study. Data from 89 patients with ASCVD or HF from January 2015 to February 2018 were analyzed regarding the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP4 inhibitors. Cardiovascular function was assessed by 2-D echocardiography and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP).

Results

A total of 89 patients with T2DM were considered in two groups of SGLT2 inhibitors (n=41) and DPP4 inhibitors (n=48). The mean follow-up period was 2 years, with a total of 89 patient-years. Despite no significant change in systolic function, SGLT2 inhibitors improved cardiovascular function, as demonstrated by a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40%, ratio of mitral peak velocity of early filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity, ratio of early to late ventricular filling velocities, and NT-pro BNP compared with the DPP4 inhibitor group.

Conclusion

SGLT2 inhibitors improve cardiovascular function in T2DM with coronary artery disease compared to DPP4 inhibitors.

How Many Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Meet the Inclusion Criteria of the Cardiovascular Outcome Trials with SGLT2 Inhibitors? Estimations from a Population Database in a Mediterranean Area

OBJECTIVE

Regulatory agencies require the assessment of cardiovascular (CV) safety for new type 2 diabetes (T2D) therapies through CV outcome trials (CVOTs). However, patients included in CVOTs assessing sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) might not be representative of those seen in clinical practice. This study examined the proportion of patients that would have been enrolled into three main SGLT2i CVOTs to determine whether these trials' eligibility criteria can be applied to a real-world Mediterranean T2D population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, retrospective, cohort study of T2D patients registered in primary care centres of the Catalan Institute of Health using medical records from a population database (SIDIAP) that includes approximately 74% of the population in Catalonia (Spain). Eligibility criteria were according to those of three SGLT2i CVOTs: EMPA-REG OUTCOME (empagliflozin), CANVAS (canagliflozin), and DECLARE-TIMI 58 (dapagliflozin).

RESULTS

By the end of 2016, the database included 373,185 patients with T2D with a mean age of 70 ± 12 years, 54.9% male, with a mean duration of T2D of 9 ± 6 years, and a mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7.12% ± 1.32 (59% with HbA1c < 7%). Of these, 86,534 (23%) had established CV disease and 28% chronic renal failure (estimated glomerular filtration < 60 ml/min/1.73m2). Among all included patients, only 8.2% would have qualified for enrolment into the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial, 29.6% into the CANVAS program, and 38% into the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial. The main limiting factors for inclusion would have been a previous history of CV disease and the baseline HbA1c value.

CONCLUSION

The external validity of the analysed CVOTs is clearly limited when applying the same eligibility criteria to a T2D Mediterranean population.

Mechanism of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Improvements in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to emphasize the pivotal role of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in tackling the parallel epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

RECENT FINDINGS

GLP-1-based therapies and in particular GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) have proven to be effective in lowering blood glucose and decreasing weight. GLP-1 RA not only mitigate these significant medical burdens but also result in weight loss and weight loss independent factors that decrease cardiovascular disease (CVD) and microvascular complications of T2DM, such as diabetic nephropathy. GLP-1-based therapies are critical for a patient-centered approach in choosing appropriate pharmacotherapy for T2DM and obesity while also taking into consideration comorbidities, such as cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases.

A population-based analysis of antidiabetic medications in four Canadian provinces: Secular trends and prescribing patterns

PURPOSE

To use the Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES) to describe drug utilization of antidiabetic medications in four Canadian provinces.

METHODS

With the use of data from CNODES, we constructed cohorts of patients with type 2 diabetes in four Canadian provinces (Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan) who received their first-ever prescription for a noninsulin antidiabetic medication during the study period, defined as the earliest date of data availability in each province (range: 1993-1998) to the latest date of the data extraction in each province (range: 2013-2014). Prescriptions rates were calculated for all prescriptions by class and described over time.

RESULTS

Across provinces, we identified 650 830 patients who initiated antidiabetic medications during the study period. In most provinces, the overall prescription rate of antidiabetic medications increased during the last two decades. Metformin particularly increased in popularity, surpassing sulfonylureas in all provinces as the most widely prescribed antidiabetic medication by the early 2000s. Thiazolidinediones grew in popularity from the onset of their availability until 2006 to 2007, at which point they rapidly declined. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors saw substantial growth in several provinces following their addition to provincial formularies in 2008 to 2012, while glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists experienced modest growth. Insulin prescription rates remained constant or steadily increased over the last two decades.

CONCLUSIONS

CNODES can be used for cross-jurisdictional drug utilization studies. In Canada, trends in antidiabetic medication prescriptions followed changing guidelines reflecting up-to-date knowledge of drug effectiveness and safety.

Development of therapeutic options on type 2 diabetes in years: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist’s role intreatment; from the past to future

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hypergly-cemia. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) accounting for 90% of cases globally. The worldwide prevalence of DM is rising dramatically over the last decades, from 30 million cases in 1985 to 382 million cases in 2013. It’s estimated that 451 million people had diabetes in 2017. As the pathophysiology was understood over the years, treatment options for diabetes increased. Incretin-based therapy is one of them. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) not only significantly lower glucose level with minimal risk of hypoglycemia but also, they have an important advantage in themanagement of cardiovascular risk and obesity. Thus, we will review here GLP-1 RAsrole in the treatment of diabetes.

Stage-Based Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Heart Failure

Type 2 diabetes negatively impacts heart failure outcomes. Insulin resistance, central adiposity, dyslipidemia, and altered cellular substrate metabolism each have a mechanistic role. Management strategies focused solely on glycemic control have had limited success. However, three new classes of drugs, each with several options, offer the promise of improved diabetes management in heart failure. Unlike earlier classes, these medications have had favorable cardiovascular outcomes. In this review, we present a therapeutic guide for metabolic treatment based on the stages of heart failure.

Ion channels and transporters in diabetic kidney disease

Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus are major medical epidemics affecting millions of patients worldwide. Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), which is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). DKD is associated with significant changes in renal hemodynamics and electrolyte transport. Alterations in renal ion transport triggered by pathophysiological conditions in diabetes can exacerbate hypertension, accelerate renal injury, and are integral to the development of DKD. Renal ion transporters and electrolyte homeostasis play a fundamental role in functional changes and injury to the kidney during DKD. With the large number of ion transporters involved in DKD, understanding the roles of individual transporters as well as the complex cascades through which they interact is essential in the development of effective treatments for patients suffering from this disease. This chapter aims to gather current knowledge of the major renal ion transporters with altered expression and activity under diabetic conditions, and provide a comprehensive overview of their interactions and collective functions in DKD.

Autophagy as an emerging target in cardiorenal metabolic disease: From pathophysiology to management

Although advances in medical technology and health care have improved the early diagnosis and management for cardiorenal metabolic disorders, the prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and kidney disease remains high. Findings from numerous population-based studies, clinical trials, and experimental evidence have consolidated a number of theories for the pathogenesis of cardiorenal metabolic anomalies including resistance to the metabolic action of insulin, abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism, oxidative and nitrosative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial damage, and inflammation. Accumulating evidence has recently suggested a pivotal role for proteotoxicity, the unfavorable effects of poor protein quality control, in the pathophysiology of metabolic dysregulation and related cardiovascular complications. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy-lysosomal pathways, two major although distinct cellular clearance machineries, govern protein quality control by degradation and clearance of long-lived or damaged proteins and organelles. Ample evidence has depicted an important role for protein quality control, particularly autophagy, in the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. To this end, autophagy offers promising targets for novel strategies to prevent and treat cardiorenal metabolic diseases. Targeting autophagy using pharmacological or natural agents exhibits exciting new strategies for the growing problem of cardiorenal metabolic disorders.

Should the last be first? Questions and dilemmas regarding early short-term insulin treatment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

INTRODUCTION

Early short-term insulin treatment (STIT), defined as insulin administration shortly after diabetes diagnosis for only a brief period of time, is an alternative concept, aiming to entirely revise the perspective of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) management.

AREAS COVERED

The present review intends to summarize what is already known regarding early STIT in T2DM and highlight questions and dilemmas from the clinician's point of view, with a discourse on future research agenda.

EXPERT OPINION

STIT has the potential to modify the natural history of T2DM, resulting in improved drug-free remission rates by favorably affecting the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. Existing data in the field manifest significant weaknesses, mainly being the small number of trials and patients included, the lack of control groups in most studies and the wide heterogeneity between study designs and explored outcomes, which limit definitive conclusions. Therefore, before such a therapeutic strategy is incorporated into daily practice, important issues require further clarification by future trials. These issues include the optimal time point for the intervention, the ideal insulin type, the identification of patients being most likely to benefit, the STIT effects on cardiovascular and other clinical outcomes and the cost-effectiveness evaluation of this therapeutic strategy.

ABBREVIATIONS

T2DM: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; HbA_1C: Hemoglobin A_1c; OHA: Oral Hypoglycemic Agents; STIT: Short-term Insulin Treatment; CSII: Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion; MDI: Multiple Daily Injections; PPG: Postprandial Plasma Glucose; FPG: Fasting Plasma Glucose; HOMA-b: Homeostasis Model Assessment of beta-cell function; TDD: Total Daily Insulin Dose; DI: Disposition Index; HOMA-IR: Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; TNF: Tumor Necrosis Factor; GLP-1: Glucagon-like peptide-1; GIP: Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide; BMI: Body Mass Index; CV: Cardiovascular; DR: Diabetic Retinopathy; SU: Sulfonylurea; IGI: Insulinogenic Index.

Efficacy and Safety of Teneligliptin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Teneligliptin is a 3rd-generation dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. There is a limited evidence regarding the effect of teneligliptin. Therefore, this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of teneligliptin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with inadequately glycemic controlled.

Methods: A search of PubMed, Medline, Embase, and The Cochrane Library during 2000.01–2018.03 was performed for randomized controlled trials of teneligliptin compared to placebo in patients with T2DM with monotherapy or add-on treatment.

Results: Ten trials with 2119 patients were analyzed. Teneligliptin produced absolute reductions in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (weighted mean difference (WMD) 0.82%, 95% confidence interval (CI) [−0.91 to −0.72], p < 0.00001) compared with placebo. However, after 36–42 weeks of follow-up (open-label), HbA1c level rise higher than duration (double-blind) in teneligliptin group. Teneligliptin led to greater decrease of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level (vs. placebo, WMD −18.32%, 95% CI [−21.05 to −15.60], p < 0.00001). Teneligliptin also significantly decreased the 2 h post-prandial plasma glucose (2 h PPG) (WMD −46.94%, 95% CI [−51.58 to −42.30], p < 0.00001) and area under the glucose plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 2 h (AUC_0−2h) for PPG (WMD −71.50%, 95% CI [−78.09 to −64.91], p < 0.00001) compared with placebo. Patients treated with teneligliptin achieved increased homeostasis model assessment of β cell function (HOMA-β) with 9.31 (WMD, 95% CI [7.78–10.85], p < 0.00001). However, there was no significant difference between teneligliptin and placebo in overall adverse effects (0.96 risk ratio (RR), 95% CI [0.87, 1.06], p = 0.06). The risks of hypoglycemia were not significantly different between teneligliptin and placebo (1.16 RR, 95% CI [0.59, 2.26], p = 0.66).

Conclusions: Teneligliptin improved blood glucose levels and β-cells function with low risk of hypoglycemia in patients with T2DM. Common adverse effects of teneligliptin including hypoglycemia were identified and reviewed. Risks of cardiovascular events are less certain, and more data for long-term effects are needed.

Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Diabetes: Mechanisms and Management

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cause of heart failure in the Western world, either secondary to coronary artery disease or from a distinct entity known as "diabetic cardiomyopathy." Furthermore, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is emerging as a significant clinical problem for patients with DM. Current clinical data suggest that between 30% and 40% of patients with HFpEF suffer from DM. The typical structural phenotype of the HFpEF heart consists of endothelial dysfunction, increased interstitial and perivascular fibrosis, cardiomyocyte stiffness, and hypertrophy along with advanced glycation end products deposition. There is a myriad of mechanisms that result in the phenotypical HFpEF heart including impaired cardiac metabolism and substrate utilization, altered insulin signalling leading to protein kinase C activation, advanced glycated end products deposition, prosclerotic cytokine activation (eg, transforming growth factor-β activation), along with impaired nitric oxide production from the endothelium. Moreover, recent investigations have focused on the role of endothelial-myocyte interactions. Despite intense research, current therapeutic strategies have had little effect on improving morbidity and mortality in patients with DM and HFpEF. Possible explanations for this include a limited understanding of the role that direct cell-cell communication or indirect cell-cell paracrine signalling plays in the pathogenesis of DM and HFpEF. Additionally, integrins remain another important mediator of signals from the extracellular matrix to cells within the failing heart and might play a significant role in cell-cell cross-talk. In this review we discuss the characteristics and mechanisms of DM and HFpEF to stimulate potential future research for patients with this common, and morbid condition.

Cardiovascular Outcomes and Risks After Initiation of a Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor: Results From the EASEL Population-Based Cohort Study (Evidence for Cardiovascular Outcomes With Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in the Real World)

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

Clinical trials have shown cardiovascular benefits and potential risks from sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). Trials may have limited ability to address individual end points or safety concerns.

Methods:

We performed a population-based cohort study among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with established cardiovascular disease newly initiated on antihyperglycemic agents within the US Department of Defense Military Health System between April 1, 2013, and December 31, 2016. Incidence rates, hazard ratios (HRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for time to first composite end point of all-cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure event, major adverse cardiovascular events (defined as all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke), and individual end points were evaluated using conditional Cox models comparing new SGLT2i users with other antihyperglycemic agents. The exploratory safety end point was below-knee lower extremity amputation. Intent-to-treat and on-treatment analyses were performed.

Results:

After propensity matching, 25 258 patients were followed for a median of 1.6 years. Compared with non-SGLT2i, initiation of SGLT2i was associated with a lower rate of all-cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure (1.73 versus 3.01 events per 100 person-years; HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.50–0.65) and major adverse cardiovascular events (2.31 versus 3.45 events per 100 person-years; HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.60–0.75). SGLT2i initiation was also associated with an ≈2-fold higher risk of below-knee lower extremity amputation (0.17 versus 0.09 events per 100 person-years; HR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.12–3.51). Because of the disproportionate canagliflozin exposure in the database, the majority of amputations were observed on canagliflozin. Results were consistent in the on-treatment analysis.

Conclusions:

In this high-risk cohort, initiation of SGLT2i was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality, hospitalization for heart failure, and major adverse cardiovascular events and higher risk of below-knee lower extremity amputation. Findings underscore the potential benefit and risks to be aware of when initiating SGLT2i. It remains unclear whether the below-knee lower extremity amputation risk extends across the class of medication, because the study was not powered to make comparisons among individual treatments.

The regulatory role of DPP4 in atherosclerotic disease

The increasing prevalence of atherosclerosis has become a worldwide health concern. Although significant progress has been made in the understanding of atherosclerosis pathogenesis, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Recent studies suggest dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), a regulator of inflammation and metabolism, may be involved in the development of atherosclerotic diseases. There has been increasing clinical and pre-clinical evidence showing DPP4-incretin axis is involved in cardiovascular disease. Although the cardiovascular outcome of DPP4 inhibition or incretin analogues has been or being evaluated by several large scale clinical trials, the exact role of DPP4 in atherosclerotic diseases is not completely understood. In the current review, we will summarize the recent advances in direct and indirect regulatory role of DPP4 in atherosclerosis.