Effect of Anagliptin versus Sitagliptin on Inflammatory Markers: Sub-Analysis from the REASON Trial

An Overview of the Cardioprotective Effects of Novel Antidiabetic Classes: Focus on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Fibrosis

Metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus (DM), are significant global public health concerns. Despite the widespread use of standard-of-care therapies, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death among diabetic patients. Early and evidence-based interventions to reduce CVD are urgently needed. Large clinical trials have recently shown that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) ameliorate adverse cardiorenal outcomes in patients with type 2 DM. These quite unexpected positive results represent a paradigm shift in type 2 DM management, from the sole importance of glycemic control to the simultaneous improvement of cardiovascular outcomes. Moreover, SGLT2i is also found to be cardio- and nephroprotective in non-diabetic patients. Several mechanisms, which may be potentially independent or at least separate from the reduction in blood glucose levels, have already been identified behind the beneficial effect of these drugs. However, there is still much to be understood regarding the exact pathomechanisms. This review provides an overview of the current literature and sheds light on the modes of action of novel antidiabetic drugs, focusing on inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis.

Low-grade inflammation in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study from a Danish diabetes outpatient clinic

OBJECTIVES

To investigate low-grade inflammation in type 2 diabetes and explore associations to clinical aspects as well as microvascular and macrovascular complications.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis.

SETTING

The outpatient diabetes clinic at the Department of Endocrinology at Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark.

PARTICIPANTS

100 participants with type 2 diabetes confirmed by a haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)≥6.5% for a minimum of 1 year and 21 healthy controls.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Serum levels of 27 inflammation-related biomarkers measured by immunoassay. Associations with microvascular and macrovascular complications, body weight, glycaemic control, medication and sex were investigated in the diabetes cohort.

RESULTS

Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and eotaxin were elevated in type 2 diabetes (p<0.05), while interleukin (IL)-7 was decreased (p<0.001). IL-12/IL-23p40, IL-15, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and C reactive protein (CRP) levels were increased with body weight (p<0.05), while eotaxin and TNF-α were increased with elevated HbA1c levels (p<0.04). Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor therapy was associated with lower levels of induced protein-10, MDC and thymus and activation regulated chemokine (p<0.02), while females had higher levels of MDC (p=0.027). Individuals with ≥3 diabetic complications had elevated levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12/IL-23p40, IL-15 and CRP compared with those with ≤3 (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The level of low-grade inflammation in type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity, glycaemic regulation, therapeutical management, sex and complications. Our results underline the importance of addressing inflammatory issues in type 2 diabetes, as these may predispose for crippling comorbidities.

Role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors in Antidiabetic Treatment

In recent years, important changes have occurred in the field of diabetes treatment. The focus of the treatment of diabetic patients has shifted from the control of blood glucose itself to the overall management of risk factors, while adjusting blood glucose goals according to individualization. In addition, regulators need to approve new antidiabetic drugs which have been tested for cardiovascular safety. Thus, the newest class of drugs has been shown to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events, including sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) and some glucagon like peptide 1 receptor (GLP1) analog. As such, they have a prominent place in the hyperglycemia treatment algorithms. In recent years, the role of DPP4 inhibitors (DPP4i) has been modified. DPP4i have a favorable safety profile and anti-inflammatory profile, do not cause hypoglycemia or weight gain, and do not require dose escalation. In addition, it can also be applied to some types of chronic kidney disease patients and elderly patients with diabetes. Overall, DPP4i, as a class of safe oral hypoglycemic agents, have a role in the management of diabetic patients, and there is extensive experience in their use.

Effect of Anagliptin versus Sitagliptin on Renal Function: Subanalyzes from the REASON Trial

PURPOSE

The effects of two types of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors on renal function remain unclear. Thus, we investigated the effect of anagliptin (ANA) and sitagliptin (SITA) on renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes who participated in the randomized evaluation of ANA versus SITA on low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in diabetes (REASON) trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We measured the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) before and after the REASON trial. ANA 200 mg/day was administered to 177 patients for 52 weeks, while SITA 50 mg/day was given to 176 patients. We investigated the relationship between differences in renal function and differences in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, LDL-C levels, and blood pressure (BP).

RESULTS

No significant differences were found in baseline eGFR and UACR between the two groups. The eGFR levels were significantly decreased in both groups; however, the UACR level was unchanged in the ANA group but elevated in the SITA group, although the difference did not reach significance between the two groups. The difference in eGFR was affected by the differences in HbA1c level and BP, and the difference in the UACR was affected by the differences in LDL-C level and BP, which were reduced only in the ANA group.

CONCLUSION

These findings imply that the effects of DPP-4 inhibitors on renal function, especially on UACR, may be different between the types of DPP-4 inhibitors.