Effects of empagliflozin on markers of liver steatosis and fibrosis and their relationship to cardiorenal outcomes

Current and experimental pharmacotherapy for the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease, with its incidence increasing in parallel with the global prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite our steadily increasing knowledge of its pathogenesis, there is as yet no available pharmacotherapy specifically tailored for NAFLD. To define the appropriate management, it is important to clarify the context in which the disease appears. In the case of concurrent metabolic comorbidities, NAFLD patients are treated by targeting these comorbidities, such as diabetes and obesity. Thus, GLP-1 analogs, PPAR, and SGLT2 inhibitors have recently become central to the treatment of NAFLD. In parallel, randomized trials are being conducted to explore new agents targeting known pathways involved in NAFLD progression. However, there is an imperative need to intensify the effort to design new, safe drugs with biopsy-proven efficacy. Of note, the main target of the pharmacotherapy should be directed to the regression of fibrotic NASH, as this histologic stage has been correlated with increased overall as well as liver-related morbidity and mortality. Herein we discuss the drugs currently at the forefront of NAFLD treatment.

Role of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 gene for decreasing kidney function in recently diagnosed diabetes mellitus

AIMS

We examined the association of the G allele in the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs738409 in the third exon of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 gene (PNPLA3) gene, with chronic kidney disease in diabetes endotypes.

METHODS

Participants with recent-onset diabetes (n = 707) from the prospective German Diabetes Study (GDS) underwent cluster assignment, detailed phenotyping, genotyping and magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify hepatocellular lipid content (HCL).

RESULTS

Severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD) had the lowest glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) and highest HCL compared to severe insulin-deficient, moderate obesity-related, moderate age-related and severe autoimmune diabetes endotypes (all p < 0.05). HCL was negatively associated with eGFR (r = -0.287, p < 0.01) across all groups. Stratification by G-allele carrier status did not reveal any association between HCL and eGFR among the endotypes. However, the proportion of G-allele carriers increased from 44 % for eGFR >60 ml/min to 52 % for eGFR <60 ml/min (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The PNPLA3 polymorphism may contribute to declining kidney function independently of liver lipids.

Role of lifestyle and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight loss in obesity, type 2 diabetes and steatotic liver diseases

BACKGROUND

The current obesity pandemic has given rise to associated comorbidities and complications, including type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). During the last decade, certain glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), originally developed as antihyperglycemic drugs, also demonstrated efficacy for weight loss.

AIMS

To review shared pathophysiologic features of common metabolic diseases and compare therapeutic strategies to reduce body weight and related complications.

METHODS

We performed an extensive literature research to describe the effects of lifestyle modification, first-generation anti-obesity drugs, and GLP-1RA on weight loss in humans with obesity, type 2 diabetes and MASLD.

RESULTS

Until recently, treatment of obesity has been limited to lifestyle modification, which offer moderate degree and sustainability of weight loss. The few approved first-generation anti-obesity drugs are either limited to short term use or to certain forms of obesity. Some GLP-1RA significantly decrease caloric intake and body weight. Liraglutide and semaglutide have therefore been approved for treating people with obesity. They also lead to a reduction of hepatic fat content and inflammation in people with biopsy-confirmed MASLD. Possible limitations comprise adverse effects, treatment adherence and persistence.

CONCLUSION

Certain GLP-1RA are superior to lifestyle modification and first-generation anti-obesity drugs in inducing weight loss. They have therefore markedly changed the portfolio of obesity treatment with additional beneficial effects on steatotic liver disease.

Drug Safety Evaluation of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in Diabetic Comorbid Patients by Review of Systemic Extraglycemic Effects

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of this drug in diabetic patients with comorbidities of all systems.

Method

In this review, the beneficial effects of this drug and its mechanism on the disorders of every system of humans in relation to diabetes have been studied, and finally, its adverse effects have also been discussed. The search for relevant information is carried out in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases by using the following terms: diabetes mellitus type 2, SGLT, SGLT2 inhibitors, (SGLT2 inhibitors) AND (Pleiotropic effects). All English-published articles from 2016 to 2023 have been used in this study. It should be noted that a small number of articles published before 2016 have been used in the introduction and general informations.

Results

Its beneficial effects on improving cardiovascular disease risk factors and reducing adverse events caused by cardiovascular and renal diseases have proven in most large clinical studies that these effects are almost certain. It also has beneficial effects on other human systems such as the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system, the circulatory system, and the nervous system; more of them are at the level of clinical and pre-clinical trials but have not been proven in large clinical trials or meta-analyses.

Conclusion

With the exception of a few adverse effects, this drug is considered a good choice and safe for all diabetic patients with comorbidities of all systems.

Impact of tofogliflozin on hepatic outcomes: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. The aim was to review the effect of tofogliflozin on hepatic outcomes in T2DM patients.

METHODS

A literature search in PubMed, Science Direct and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted for randomised clinical trials of tofogliflozin by applying predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

A total number of four randomised clinical trials, including 226 subjects, were included in the review. There was a significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in the tofogliflozin group as compared to the control or active comparator groups. Additionally, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) levels were also significantly decreased in the tofogliflozin group. However, no significant difference was observed in levels of adiponectin.

CONCLUSION

Overall, an improvement in levels of hepatic parameters was observed in T2DM patients with concurrent liver disorders. However, a large number of clinical trials are needed to prove the efficacy of tofogliflozin on hepatic outcomes in patients with T2DM.

Effects of TM6SF2 rs58542926 polymorphism on hepatocellular lipids and insulin resistance in early type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Increased hepatocellular lipid content (HCL) is linked to insulin resistance, risk of type 2 diabetes and related complications. Conversely, a single-nucleotide polymorphism (TM6SF2EK; rs58542926) in the transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2-gene has been associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but lower cardiovascular risk. This case-control study tested the role of this polymorphism for tissue-specific insulin sensitivity during early course of diabetes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Males with recent-onset type 2 diabetes with (TM6SF2EK: n = 16) or without (TM6SF2EE: n = 16) the heterozygous TM6SF2-polymorphism of similar age and body mass index, underwent Botnia-clamps with [6,6-2H2]glucose to measure whole-body-, hepatic- and adipose tissue-insulin sensitivity. HCL was assessed with 1H-magnetic-resonance-spectroscopy. A subset of both groups (n = 24) was re-evaluated after 5 years. Despite doubled HCL, TM6SF2EK had similar hepatic- and adipose tissue-insulin sensitivity and 27% higher whole-body-insulin sensitivity than TM6SF2EE. After 5 years, whole-body-insulin sensitivity, HCL were similar between groups, while adipose tissue-insulin sensitivity decreased by 87% and 55% within both groups and circulating triacylglycerol increased in TM6SF2EE only.

CONCLUSIONS

The TM6SF2-polymorphism rs58542926 dissociates HCL from insulin resistance in recent-onset type 2 diabetes, which is attenuated by disease duration. This suggests that diabetes-related metabolic alterations dominate over effects of the TM6SF2-polymorphism during early course of diabetes and NAFLD.

Quantitative effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on liver functions in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to explore the quantitative effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors on liver functions in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 4771 patients with NAFLD were included for analysis by means of nonlinear mixed effect modeling, where the change rates of liver functions were taken as the evaluation indexes so as to eliminate the potential baseline effects.

RESULTS

For ALT and AST, the Emax of SGLT-2 inhibitors was -17.8% and -13.9%, respectively, and the ET50 was 6.86 weeks and 10 weeks, respectively. Furthermore, the duration time to achieve 25%, 50%, 75%, and 80% Emax were 2.3 weeks, 6.86 weeks, 20.6 weeks, 27.5 weeks in ALT, 3.4 weeks, 10 weeks, 30 weeks, 40 weeks in AST, respectively. Thus, to realize the plateau period (80% of Emax) of SGLT-2 inhibitors on ALT and AST in patients with NAFLD, 100 mg/day canagliflozin (or 10 mg/day dapagliflozin or 10 mg/day empagliflozin) needs to be taken for 20.6 weeks and 30 weeks, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study explored the quantitative effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on liver functions and recommends a therapeutic regimen in patients with NAFLD.

The Effects of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2-Inhibitors on Steatosis and Fibrosis in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or Steatohepatitis and Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are part of metabolic syndrome and share multiple causal associations. Both conditions have an alarmingly increasing incidence and lead to multiple complications, which have an impact on a variety of organs and systems, such as the kidneys, eyes, and nervous and cardiovascular systems, or may cause metabolic disruptions. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2-inhibitors (SGLT2-i), as an antidiabetic class with well-established cardiovascular benefits, and its class members have also been studied for their presumed effects on steatosis and fibrosis improvement in patients with NAFLD or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy of SGLT2-i on the treatment of NAFLD/NASH in patients with T2DM. Of the originally identified 179 articles, 21 articles were included for final data analysis. Dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and canagliflozin are some of the most used and studied SGLT2-i agents which have proven efficacy in treating patients with NAFLD/NASH by addressing/targeting different pathophysiological targets/mechanisms: insulin sensitivity improvement, weight loss, especially visceral fat loss, glucotoxicity, and lipotoxicity improvement or even improvement of chronic inflammation. Despite the considerable variability in study duration, sample size, and diagnostic method, the SGLT2-i agents used resulted in improvements in non-invasive markers of steatosis or even fibrosis in patients with T2DM. This systematic review offers encouraging results that place the SGLT2-i class at the top of the therapeutic arsenal for patients diagnosed with T2DM and NAFLD/NASH.

Hepatic steatosis and advanced hepatic fibrosis are independent predictors of long-term mortality in acute myocardial infarction

AIM

To examine the prevalence and prognosis of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.

METHODS

Patients presenting with AMI to a tertiary hospital were examined from 2014 to 2021. Hepatic steatosis and advanced hepatic fibrosis were determined using the Hepatic Steatosis Index and fibrosis-4 index, respectively. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cox regression models identified determinants of mortality after adjustments and Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed for all-cause mortality, stratified by hepatic steatosis and advanced fibrosis.

RESULTS

Of 5765 patients included, 24.8% had hepatic steatosis, of whom 41.7% were diagnosed with advanced fibrosis. The median follow-up duration was 2.7 years. Patients with hepatic steatosis tended to be younger, female, with elevated body mass index and an increased metabolic burden of diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. Patients with hepatic steatosis (24.6% vs. 20.9% mortality, P < .001) and advanced fibrosis (45.6% vs. 32.9% mortality, P < .001) had higher all-cause mortality rates compared with their respective counterparts. Hepatic steatosis (adjusted hazard ratio 1.364, 95% CI 1.145-1.625, P = .001) was associated with all-cause mortality after adjustment for confounders. Survival curves showed excess mortality in patients with hepatic steatosis compared with those without (P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic steatosis and advanced fibrosis have a substantial prevalence among patients with AMI. Both are associated with mortality, with an incrementally higher risk when advanced fibrosis ensues. Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis could help risk stratification of AMI patients beyond conventional risk factors.

Cardiorenal outcomes by indices of liver steatosis and fibrosis in individuals with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Analyses from VERTIS CV, a randomized trial of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor ertugliflozin

AIM

To conduct a post hoc analysis to explore indices of hepatic steatosis/fibrosis and cardiorenal outcomes in the VERTIS CV study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease were randomized to ertugliflozin or placebo. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were assessed post hoc using the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index to explore associations with cardiorenal outcomes (ertugliflozin and placebo data pooled, intention-to-treat analysis set). Cardiorenal outcomes (major adverse CV events [MACE]; hospitalization for heart failure [HHF]/CV death; CV death; HHF; and a composite kidney outcome) were stratified by baseline HSI and FIB-4 quartiles (Q1-Q4). Change in liver indices and enzymes over time were assessed (for ertugliflozin vs. placebo).

RESULTS

Amongst 8246 participants, the mean age was 64.4 years, body mass index 32.0 kg/m² , HSI 44.0 and FIB-4 score 1.34. The hazard ratios (HRs) for MACE, HHF/CV death, CV death, and HHF by FIB-4 score quartile (Q4 vs. Q1) were 1.48 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25, 1.76), 2.0 (95% CI 1.63, 2.51), 1.85 (95% CI 1.45, 2.36), and 2.94 (95% CI 1.98, 4.37), respectively (P < 0.0001 for all). With HSI, the incidence of HHF was higher in Q4 versus Q1 (HR 1.52 [95% CI 1.07, 2.17]; P < 0.05). The kidney composite outcome did not differ across FIB-4 or HSI quartiles. Liver enzymes and HSI decreased over time with ertugliflozin.

CONCLUSION

In VERTIS CV, higher FIB-4 score was associated with CV events. HSI correlated with HHF. Neither measure was associated with the composite kidney outcome. Ertugliflozin was associated with a reduction in liver enzymes and HSI.

Recent updates on targeting the molecular mediators of NAFLD

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming the most common disease worldwide in an era of rapid economic growth. NAFLD is a multifactorial disease, involving multiple genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors, and is closely associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. NAFLD can be classified into nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can both progress to cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Due to the enormous burden of NAFLD and its complications, no FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of NAFLD are on the market, and therapeutic targets and drug therapies are being actively investigated. In view of the various pathological mechanisms of NAFLD, numbers of preclinical studies and clinical trials have made rapid progress. This review mainly summarizes the most recently characterized mechanisms and therapeutic targets in each mechanism of NAFLD, focusing on the mechanism and application potential.

Management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes, 2022. A consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)

The American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes convened a panel to update the previous consensus statements on the management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes in adults, published since 2006 and last updated in 2019. The target audience is the full spectrum of the professional healthcare team providing diabetes care in the USA and Europe. A systematic examination of publications since 2018 informed new recommendations. These include additional focus on social determinants of health, the healthcare system and physical activity behaviours including sleep. There is a greater emphasis on weight management as part of the holistic approach to diabetes management. The results of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes trials involving sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, including assessment of subgroups, inform broader recommendations for cardiorenal protection in people with diabetes at high risk of cardiorenal disease. After a summary listing of consensus recommendations, practical tips for implementation are provided.

Management of Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes, 2022. A Consensus Report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)

The American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes convened a panel to update the previous consensus statements on the management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes in adults, published since 2006 and last updated in 2019. The target audience is the full spectrum of the professional health care team providing diabetes care in the U.S. and Europe. A systematic examination of publications since 2018 informed new recommendations. These include additional focus on social determinants of health, the health care system, and physical activity behaviors, including sleep. There is a greater emphasis on weight management as part of the holistic approach to diabetes management. The results of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes trials involving sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, including assessment of subgroups, inform broader recommendations for cardiorenal protection in people with diabetes at high risk of cardiorenal disease. After a summary listing of consensus recommendations, practical tips for implementation are provided.

Advancements in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a series of diseases, involving excessive lipid deposition in the liver and is often accompanied by obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, abnormal blood pressure, and other metabolic disorders. In order to more accurately reflect its pathogenesis, an international consensus renamed NAFLD in 2020 as metabolic (dysfunction) associated with fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The changes in diet and lifestyle are recognized the non-drug treatment strategies; however, due to the complex pathogenesis of NAFLD, the current drug therapies are mainly focused on its pathogenic factors, key links of pathogenesis, and related metabolic disorders as targets. There is still a lack of specific drugs. In clinical studies, the common NAFLD treatments include the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism to protect the liver and anti-inflammation. The NAFLD treatments based on the enterohepatic axis, targeting gut microbiota, are gradually emerging, and various new metabolism-regulating drugs are also under clinical development. Therefore, this review article has comprehensively discussed the research advancements in NAFLD treatment in recent years.