Semaglutide 6-months therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus restores adipose progenitors potential to develop metabolically active adipocytes

BACKGROUND

Nowadays type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) leads to population mortality growth. Today glucagon-like peptide type 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are one of the most promising glucose-lowered drugs with anorexigenic and cardioprotective effects. The present study aims to determine the effects of GLP-1 RA semaglutide 6-month therapy on T2DM patient metabolic parameters and adipose progenitor cell health.

METHODS

T2DM patients (N = 8) underwent clinical characterization and subcutaneous fat biopsy at start point and after semaglutide 6-month therapy. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) were isolated by enzymatic method. Cell proliferation analysis was performed by MTT and immunocytochemistry. White and beige adipogenesis was analyzed by BODIPY493/503 staining and confocal microscopy. Adipocyte's metabolic properties were estimated by 3H- and 14C-based metabolic assays. Thermogenesis analysis was performed by ERthermAC staining and confocal microscopy. Protein markers were assessed by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Semaglutide 6-month therapy demonstrated significant anorexigenic and glucose-lowering effects. However, insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR and M-index) was unchanged after therapy. Semaglutide 6-month therapy increased ADSC proliferation and white and beige adipogenesis. Moreover, lipid droplets fragmentation was observed in beige adipocytes. Both white and beige adipocytes after semaglutide therapy demonstrated 2-3 fold growth of glucose uptake without changes in insulin sensitivity. Newly formed white adipocytes demonstrated glucose utilization for active ATP synthesis, whereas beige adipocytes for canonical thermogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study has revealed that semaglutide 6-month therapy has not only systemic anorexigenic effects, but can markedly improve adipose tissue health. We have demonstrated critical restoration of ADSC renewal functions, which potentially can be involved in semaglutide based weight loss.

Pathophysiology and Advances in the Therapy of Cardiomyopathy in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known as the first non-communicable global epidemic. It is estimated that 537 million people have DM, but the condition has been properly diagnosed in less than half of these patients. Despite numerous preventive measures, the number of DM cases is steadily increasing. The state of chronic hyperglycaemia in the body leads to numerous complications, including diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). A number of pathophysiological mechanisms are behind the development and progression of cardiomyopathy, including increased oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, increased synthesis of advanced glycation products and overexpression of the biosynthetic pathway of certain compounds, such as hexosamine. There is extensive research on the treatment of DCM, and there are a number of therapies that can stop the development of this complication. Among the compounds used to treat DCM are antiglycaemic drugs, hypoglycaemic drugs and drugs used to treat myocardial failure. An important element in combating DCM that should be kept in mind is a healthy lifestyle-a well-balanced diet and physical activity. There is also a group of compounds-including coenzyme Q10, antioxidants and modulators of signalling pathways and inflammatory processes, among others-that are being researched continuously, and their introduction into routine therapies is likely to result in greater control and more effective treatment of DM in the future. This paper summarises the latest recommendations for lifestyle and pharmacological treatment of cardiomyopathy in patients with DM.

NAFLD in the 21st Century: Current Knowledge Regarding Its Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Therapeutics

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major public health issue worldwide. It is the most common liver disease in Western countries, andits global prevalence is estimated to be up to 35%. However, its diagnosis may be elusive, because liver biopsy is relatively rarely performed and usually only in advanced stages of the disease. Therefore, several non-invasive scores may be applied to more easily diagnose and monitor NAFLD. In this review, we discuss the various biomarkers and imaging scores that could be useful in diagnosing and managing NAFLD. Despite the fact that general measures, such as abstinence from alcohol and modulation of other cardiovascular disease risk factors, should be applied, the mainstay of prevention and management is weight loss. Bariatric surgery may be suggested as a means to confront NAFLD. In addition, pharmacological treatment with GLP-1 analogues or the GIP agonist tirzepatide may be advisable. In this review, we focus on the utility of GLP-1 analogues and GIP agonists in lowering body weight, their pharmaceutical potential, and their safety profile, as already evidenced inanimal and human studies. We also elaborate on other options, such as the use of vitamin E, probiotics, especially next-generation probiotics, and prebiotics in this context. Finally, we explore future perspectives regarding the administration of GLP-1 analogues, GIP agonists, and probiotics/prebiotics as a means to prevent and combat NAFLD. The newest drugs pegozafermin and resmetiron, which seem to be very promising, arealso discussed.

International consensus on post-transplantation diabetes mellitus

Post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) remains a leading complication after solid organ transplantation. Previous international PTDM consensus meetings in 2003 and 2013 provided standardized frameworks to reduce heterogeneity in diagnosis, risk stratification and management. However, the last decade has seen significant advancements in our PTDM knowledge complemented by rapidly changing treatment algorithms for management of diabetes in the general population. In view of these developments, and to ensure reduced variation in clinical practice, a 3rd international PTDM Consensus Meeting was planned and held from 6-8 May 2022 in Vienna, Austria involving global delegates with PTDM expertise to update the previous reports. This update includes opinion statements concerning optimal diagnostic tools, recognition of prediabetes (impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance), new mechanistic insights, immunosuppression modification, evidence-based strategies to prevent PTDM, treatment hierarchy for incorporating novel glucose-lowering agents and suggestions for the future direction of PTDM research to address unmet needs. Due to the paucity of good quality evidence, consensus meeting participants agreed that making GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) recommendations would be flawed. Although kidney-allograft centric, we suggest that these opinion statements can be appraised by the transplantation community for implementation across different solid organ transplant cohorts. Acknowledging the paucity of published literature, this report reflects consensus expert opinion. Attaining evidence is desirable to ensure establishment of optimized care for any solid organ transplant recipient at risk of, or who develops, PTDM as we strive to improve long-term outcomes.

Proposed treatment strategy for reactive hypoglycaemia

Background/aim

Managing reactive hypoglycaemia (RH) poses challenges due to limited and often ineffective treatment options. We report a case series and draw on this to propose a stepwise treatment approach consisting of lifestyle modifications, metformin, GLP-1 analogues, and the use of flash glucose monitoring technology.

Method

A retrospective review was conducted to analyse the management of 11 cases presenting with recurrent RH symptoms.

Result

Two patients experienced successful resolution of symptoms through lifestyle modifications. Metformin alone was effective in treating seven out of nine patients who received pharmacological treatment. Two patients with previous upper gastrointestinal surgery showed a partial response to metformin and benefited further from additional long-acting GLP-1 analogue. Pharmacological intervention led to significant reductions in insulin and C-peptide levels in repeat mixed meal tolerance tests (P-values 0.043 for insulin and 0.006 for C-peptide). Finally, flash glucose monitoring technology was useful in early detection and preventing episodes of hypoglycaemia in one of these patients with persistent symptoms.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the potential efficacy of escalated treatment strategies for RH, including the use of metformin, GLP-1 analogues, and flash glucose monitoring technology.

Enteroendocrine cell regulation of the gut-brain axis

Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are an essential interface between the gut and brain that communicate signals about nutrients, pain, and even information from our microbiome. EECs are hormone-producing cells expressed throughout the gastrointestinal epithelium and have been leveraged by pharmaceuticals like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), terzepatide (Mounjaro), and retatrutide (Phase 2) for diabetes and weight control, and linaclotide (Linzess) to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and visceral pain. This review focuses on role of intestinal EECs to communicate signals from the gut lumen to the brain. Canonically, EECs communicate information about the intestinal environment through a variety of hormones, dividing EECs into separate classes based on the hormone each cell type secretes. Recent studies have revealed more diverse hormone profiles and communication modalities for EECs including direct synaptic communication with peripheral neurons. EECs known as neuropod cells rapidly relay signals from gut to brain via a direct communication with vagal and primary sensory neurons. Further, this review discusses the complex information processing machinery within EECs, including receptors that transduce intraluminal signals and the ion channel complement that govern initiation and propagation of these signals. Deeper understanding of EEC physiology is necessary to safely treat devastating and pervasive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and obesity.

Male-specific consequences of obesity - functional hypogonadism and fertility disorders

Obesity is currently one of the most serious public health problems which affects up to 30-40% of the population, and its prevalence is higher in men than in women. Complications of obesity include atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, but it also has a negative impact on the hormonal system and fertility. The hormonal consequences of excess body fat in men are functional hypogonadism, which not only causes clinical symptoms of testosterone deficiency, but is also a risk factor for obesity (a vicious circle mechanism). Reduced fertility in obese men may be a consequence of functional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (decreased gonadotropins and testosterone secretion, reduced libido, and erectile dysfunction), but other mechanisms associated with excess adipose tissue, like hyperinsulinaemia, hyperleptinaemia, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress also play an important role. Therefore, in obese men deterioration of semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, and morphology) and reduced fertility are observed, also concerning the effectiveness of assisted reproductive techniques. Reducing the mass of adipose tissue causes an increase in testosterone concentrations and has a beneficial effect on semen parameters. Functional hypogonadism in obese men should be diagnosed only after exclusion of organic causes of hypogonadism. Lifestyle changes, including physical exercise and low-caloric diet, and optimization of comorbidities, are still first line of treatment. In some patients, if such treatment is ineffective, pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery may be considered. Testosterone replacement therapy is contraindicated in obese men with functional hypogonadism, especially in those who desire fertility. Selective oestrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors improve sperm quality but are not recommended for the treatment of hypogonadism in obese men. GLP-1 analogues appear to be effective and safe in the treatment of low testosterone and infertility in obese men and may be the main method of pharmacotherapy in the future.

[Evolution of the non-insulin therapeutic strategy in type 2 diabetes]

While the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise worldwide, with 537 million adults aged 20-79-years-old having diabetes in 2021, the development of new therapeutic classes improving not only glycemic control but also kidney function and cardiovascular prevention has revolutionized patient care. Today, the treatment of diabetes is no longer just the treatment of blood sugar level. In this context, the individualized therapeutic strategy has been completely reviewed, with in particular sulfamides indicated much later in the therapeutic strategy, while SGLT2 inhibitors are indicated very early in patients with kidney disease and/or with ischemic heart disease or chronic heart failure, and GLP-1 analogues in obese patients and/or in primary or secondary cardiovascular prevention. As for lifestyle rules and metformin, they remain the cornerstone of treatment. Knowledge of antidiabetic effects in terms of efficacy and hypoglycemic risk, of cardiovascular, nephroprotective and weight effects is essential to optimize the management of diabetic patients today.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues: a new way to quit smoking? (SKIP)-a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of premature death. Despite dedicated programmes, quit rates remain low due to barriers such as nicotine withdrawal syndrome or post-cessation weight gain. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues reduce energy intake and body weight and seem to modulate addictive behaviour. These GLP-1 properties are of major interest in the context of smoking cessation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the GLP-1 analogue dulaglutide as a new therapy for smoking cessation.

METHODS

This is a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group, superiority, single-centre randomized study including 255 patients. The intervention consists of a 12-week dulaglutide treatment phase with 1.5 mg once weekly or placebo subcutaneously, in addition to standard of care (behavioural counselling and pharmacotherapy with varenicline). A 40-week non-treatment phase follows. The primary outcome is the point prevalence abstinence rate at week 12. Smoking status is self-reported and biochemically confirmed by end-expiratory exhaled carbon monoxide measurement. Further endpoints include post-cessational weight gain, nicotine craving analysis, glucose homeostasis and long-term nicotine abstinence. Two separate substudies assess behavioural, functional and structural changes by functional magnetic resonance imaging and measures of energy metabolism (i.e. resting energy expenditure, body composition).

DISCUSSION

Combining behavioural counselling and medical therapy, e.g. with varenicline, improves abstinence rates and is considered the standard of care. We expect a further increase in quit rates by adding a second component of medical therapy and assume a dual effect of dulaglutide treatment (blunting nicotine withdrawal symptoms and reducing post-cessational weight gain). This project is of high relevance as it explores novel treatment options aimed at preventing the disastrous consequences of nicotine consumption and obesity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03204396 . Registered on June 26, 2017.

The Efficacy of GLP-1 Analogues on Appetite Parameters, Gastric Emptying, Food Preference and Taste Among Adults with Obesity: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Obesity is an epidemiological issue that negatively affects public health and has led to a high global burden on the healthcare system. Several approaches to control and overcome the obesity crisis have been established. However, Nobel discoverers found that glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues (GLP-1 analogues) positively regulate appetite and food intake, eventually leading to weight loss.

OBJECTIVE

The present systematic review aims to summarize the currently available evidence of the impact of GLP-1 analogues on appetite, gastric emptying, taste sensitivity, and food preferences among adults with obesity without other chronic diseases.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted from October 2021 to December 2021 from three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect), including only randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Studies were based on the use of GLP-1 analogues, of any dosage and duration among adults with obesity without other medical diseases; studies measured appetite, gastric emptying, food preferences, and taste as a primary or secondary outcome. The risk of publication bias in each study was assessed independently using the updated Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB2).

RESULTS

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria with a total sample size of 445 participants. All the included studies measured at least one or more of the primary outcomes. The promising effect was evidenced by most studies showing appetite suppression, delayed gastric emptying, and changes in taste and food preferences.

CONCLUSION

GLP-1 analogues are effective obesity management therapy that could decrease food intake and eventually reduce weight by suppressing appetite, reducing hunger, decreasing gastric emptying, and altering food preferences and taste. However, high-quality, long-term, large sample size studies are crucial to examine the efficacy and effective dose of GLP-1 analogues intervention.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of Metformin and GLP-1 Analogues in Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) is one of the most frequent glucose metabolism disorders, in which serum glucose concentrations are increased. In most cases, changes in lifestyle and diet are considered as the first step in addressing its therapy. If changes in lifestyle and diet fail, drugs, such as metformin, must be added. Lately, apart from metformin or insulin, the FDA has approved the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues for children and adolescents. Little is known about their efficacy and safety at this young age. The main aim of this systematic review/meta-analysis was to assess the safety and efficacy of metformin and GLP-1 analogues, exenatide and liraglutide, compared with placebos or other antidiabetic drugs used for DMT2 in children and adolescents. Metformin did not seem to demonstrate pharmacologic superiority, while GLP-1 analogues were found superior to placebos. GLP-1 analogues may be considered a useful alternative for the treatment of DMT2 in children and adolescents.

Comparing a daily versus weekly titration algorithm in people with type 2 diabetes switching from basal insulin to iGlarLixi in the LixiLan ONE CAN randomized trial

AIM

To compare the efficacy and safety of a simple daily titration algorithm compared with a weekly dose adjustment of iGlarLixi in people with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LixiLan ONE CAN (NCT03767543), a randomized, 26-week, open-label, multicentre phase 3 trial conducted in Canada, involved 265 people with type 2 diabetes and an HbA1c of ≥7.5% to ≤ 10.5% or less (≥58 to ≤91 mmol/mol) on basal insulin for 6 months or longer. Participants were randomized 1:1 with instructions to self-titrate iGlarLixi daily (1 unit/day) or once weekly (2 or 4 units/week) to a common target fasting plasma glucose of 4.4 to 5.6 mmol/L (79 to 101 mg/dl). The primary objective was to show non-inferiority of the daily versus weekly titration algorithm.

RESULTS

At 26 weeks, daily titration of iGlarLixi was not inferior to a weekly titration for both the prespecified primary endpoint of change in HbA1c from baseline (least square [LS] mean change: -1.24% vs. -0.92%, respectively; LS mean difference: 0.32%; 95% CI [0.07, 0.57]; P < .0001) and for the secondary endpoint of change in weight from baseline (LS mean change: -0.22 vs. +0.81 kg, respectively; LS mean difference: 1.03 kg; 95% CI [0.01, 2.06]; P < .0001). Indeed, for both the primary and secondary outcome, the daily titration of iGlarLixi was superior. There were no statistically significant differences in hypoglycaemia incidence between the two titration strategies during the 26-week study.

CONCLUSION

A daily titration algorithm for switching basal insulin to iGlarLixi was shown to be non-inferior and superior for glycaemic control and weight compared with weekly titration.

Clinical insights into management options for recurrent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk after metabolic-bariatric surgery

AIMS

Long-term clinical trials evaluating the effects of metabolic-bariatric surgery (MBS) on type 2 diabetes (T2D) demonstrate that a significant proportion of patients either fail to achieve remission or experience T2D recurrence over time. Furthermore, patients with recurrent T2D might require reinstitution of pharmacotherapy to control comorbidities (hypertension, dyslipidemia). This paper reviews therapeutic options in patients with T2D relapse.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Although presently there is no recommended pharmacological strategy, the available data support GLP-1 analogues (GLP-1a) as the most suitable option to control hyperglycemia post-MBS. Beside their efficacy in lowering glycemia and body weight while preserving lean mass, GLP-1a exert cardiovascular/renal-protection and are also safe and well tolerated in surgical patients. In addition, the s.c. route of administration of these medications circumvents the problem of changes in oral drugs bioavailability following MBS. Of note, the available data refers to liraglutide and needs to be confirmed with weekly GLP-1a agents. Information regarding the impact of MBS on the pharmacokinetics of lipid lowering and anti-hypertensive drugs is scarce and inconclusive. The findings indicate that timing from intervention is particularly important because of adaptive intestinal mechanisms.

CONCLUSIONS

The recurrence of T2D following MBS is a clinically relevant issue. GLP-1a therapy represents the best option to improve glycemic and weight control with good tolerability. Long-term clinical trials will clarify the impact of these drugs on cardiovascular outcomes. A close monitoring of MBS patients is advised to guide drug dosage adjustments and ensure the control of cardiovascular risk factors.

Effect of liraglutide on markers of insulin production in persons with type 2 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections

In this post-hoc analysis of data from a randomised clinical trial, we compared the effect of liraglutide to placebo on markers of insulin secretion in persons with type 2 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections. Liraglutide increased insulin secretion, measured by C-peptide, by 19% after 24 weeks of treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2012-001941-42.

Heterogeneity in renal end points of cardiovascular outcomes trials in Type 2 diabetes

Composite renal end points and end stage renal disease (ESRD) are frequently included as prespecified secondary end points in the cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs) of diabetes medications. We examined the heterogeneity in the definitions of composite renal end point and ESRD in CVOTs. Five criteria (macroalbuminuria, doubling of serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate [GFR], ESRD and renal death), were considered for the renal composite end point across the trials. Only three of the 12 trials included all five criteria, whereas the other trials included different combinations of four, three and two criteria. ESRD definition also showed considerable heterogeneity across the trials. Heterogeneity exists in the definitions of renal composite and ESRD end points in CVOTs making it challenging to assess comparative efficacy of the active treatments for reimbursement purposes.

GLP-1 Analogues as a Complementary Therapy in Patients after Metabolic Surgery: a Systematic Review and Qualitative Synthesis

The evidence is strong that bariatric surgery is superior to medical treatment in terms of weight loss and comorbidities in patients with severe obesity. However, a considerable part of patients presents with unsatisfactory response in the long term. It remains unclear whether postoperative administration of glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues can promote additional benefits. Therefore, a systematic review of the current literature on the management of postoperative GLP-1 analogue usage after metabolic surgery was performed. From 4663 identified articles, 6 met the inclusion criteria, but only one was a randomized controlled trial. The papers reviewed revealed that GLP-1 analogues may have beneficial effects on additional weight loss and T2D remission postoperatively. Thus, the use of GLP-1 analogues in addition to surgery promises good results concerning weight loss and improvements of comorbidities and can be used in patients with unsatisfactory results after bariatric surgery.

The Effect of Exenatide on Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Thyroid Volume

OBJECTIVE

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues are now widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Many binding sites for GLP-1 have been demonstrated in the specific tissue compartments of organs in-cluding the brain and thyroid. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exenatide treatment on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid volume in diabetic patients without thyroid disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 46 diabetic patients without thyroid disease who were receiving exenatide treatment. Comparisons were made of total thyroid volume and serum concentrations of TSH at baseline and after 6 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 46 patients, 13 were excluded from the study, as they were unable to complete the treatment or left the follow-up process. After 6 months of exenatide treatment, the serum TSH concentration decreased significantly (from 2.3 [0.7-5.4] to 1.8 mIU/L [0.3-4.2], p= 0.007). There were no significant differences in thyroid volume (11.6 ± 9.0 vs. 12.1 ± 8.8 cm³, p = 0.19), free thyroxine (fT4), free tri-iodothyronine (fT3), and calcitonin levels before and after treatment. Thyroid volume was not affected by decreased TSH level (p:= 0.141) or a reduction in body mass index (BMI) (p > 0.05), and no correlation was detected between variation in TSH level and change in BMI (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Exenatide treatment for 6 months significantly decreased serum TSH concentration but did not affect thyroid volume in diabetic patients without thyroid disease.

Cardiovascular outcome trials of the newer anti-diabetic medications

Concerns of elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk with some anti-diabetic medications warranted phase 4 clinical trials to demonstrate CVD safety of newly marketed anti-diabetic drugs. Although initially designed to evaluate safety, some of these CVD outcome trials (CVOTs) have in fact shown CVD benefits. New medication classes, like glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogues and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, have shown reductions in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including, myocardial infarction, stroke, CV death, and heart failure (HF). Perhaps more importantly, SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrated reduction in the risk of HF hospitalizations, being the first class of anti-diabetic drugs to do so. Conversely, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors did not significantly affect atherosclerotic CVD end-points and some actually increased the risk of HF hospitalizations. Further, the adverse/beneficial CVD effects of these medications may not be class specific. This review focuses on the main results of these CVOTs while highlighting the heterogeneity of CVD end-points within each class and discusses important mechanistic insights and adverse effect profiles.

Multiple target tissue effects of GLP-1 analogues on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

Accumulating experimental and clinical evidences over the last decade indicate that GLP-1 analogues have a series of central nervous system and peripheral target tissues actions which are able to significantly influence the liver metabolism. GLP-1 analogues pleiotropic effects proved to be efficacious in T2DM subjects not only reducing liver steatosis and ameliorating NAFLD and NASH, but also in lowering plasma glucose and liver inflammation, improving cardiac function and protecting from kidney dysfunction. While the experimental and clinical data are robust, the precise mechanisms of action potentially involved in these protective multi-target effects need further investigation. Here we present a systematic review of the most recent literature data on the multi-target effects of GLP-1 analogues on the liver, on adipose and muscular tissue and on the nervous system, all capable of influencing significant aspects of the fatty liver disease physiopathology. From this analysis, we can conclude that the multi-target beneficial action of the GLP-1 analogues could explain the positive effects observed in animal and human models on progression of NAFLD to NASH.

Metabolic Control in Type 1 Diabetes: Is Adjunctive Therapy the Way Forward?

Despite advances in insulin therapies, patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) have a shorter life span due to hyperglycaemia-induced vascular disease and hypoglycaemic complications secondary to insulin therapy. Restricting therapy for T1DM to insulin replacement is perhaps an over-simplistic approach, and we focus in this work on reviewing the role of adjuvant therapy in this population. Current data suggest that adding metformin to insulin therapy in T1DM temporarily lowers HbA1c and reduces weight and insulin requirements, but this treatment fails to show a longer-term glycaemic benefit. Agents in the sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2) class demonstrate the greatest promise in correcting hyperglycaemia, but there are safety concerns in relation to the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis. Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1) show a modest effect on glycaemia, if any, but significantly reduce weight, which may make them suitable for use in overweight T1DM patients. Treatment with pramlintide is not widely available worldwide, although there is evidence to indicate that this agent reduces both HbA1c and weight in T1DM. A criticism of adjuvant studies is the heavy reliance on HbA1c as the primary endpoint while generally ignoring other glycaemic parameters. Moreover, vascular risk markers and measures of insulin resistance-important considerations in individuals with a longer T1DM duration-are yet to be fully investigated following adjuvant therapies. Finally, studies to date have made the assumption that T1DM patients are a homogeneous group of individuals who respond similarly to adjuvant therapies, which is unlikely to be the case. Future longer-term adjuvant studies investigating different glycaemic parameters, surrogate vascular markers and harder clinical outcomes will refine our understanding of the roles of such therapies in various subgroups of T1DM patients.

Surgical and Advanced Medical Therapy for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes in Class I Obese Patients: a Short-Term Outcome

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery, incretin-based therapy (glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues), and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have antidiabetic properties in morbidly obese patients. However, their comparative efficacy in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in class I obese patients specifically in Indian has not been studied yet. This study evaluates and compares the efficacy and side effect of surgical and advanced medical management of T2DM in class I obese patients.

METHODS

T2DM patients with body mass index ranging from 30 to 35 kg/m² and with a median duration of 3 years and HbA1c level >7.5% were recruited for the study. Selection of treatment option that is bariatric surgery, GLP-1 analogues and SGLT2 inhibitor, was kept on patient's choice. Each group had 30 patients after 12 months of follow-up. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and lipid profile levels were assessed at baseline and after 12 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

There was statistically significant lowering of HbA1c and FPG after 12 months in all the three groups. However, this lowering was clinically insignificant in GLP-1 and SGLT2 groups. There was also improvement in lipid profile values in all the three groups with significantly higher percentage change in bariatric surgery group when compared to other modalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective procedure to treat T2DM in class I obese patients. It is also superior to advance medical treatment modalities such as GLP-1 analogues and SGLT2 inhibitors.

The effects of GLP-1 analogues on pre-diabetes of the children

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues in children of pre-diabetes to delay or reverse the development of pre-diabetes into the state of diabetes by early intervention. Prospective and randomized controlled clinical trials were performed in 42 cases of newly diagnosed pre-diabetes in children. The sample size was randomly divided into the two groups. The first group included 21 subjects comprising the lifestyle intervention group, i.e., control group, and the second group included 21 subjects comprising the lifestyle intervention+GLP-1 analogues liraglutide group, i.e., observation group. Interventions carried out lasted 3 months. A review of intervention was carried out at 1 month and after 3 months. Medical examinations were carried out at the the time following diagnosis with pre-diabetes and after the intervention of 3 months. The medical test examinations included the fasting blood glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), detection of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance (IR) and the islet cell functions. After 1 month of intervention, the observation group exhibited a better control on FPG and 2hPG compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 3 months of the intervention, FPG and 2hPG levels of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.01). The levels of HbA1C, TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, and BMI of the observation group were statistically better controlled, when compared with the control group after the intervention of 3 months. The IR index of the observation group was significantly decreased compared to that of the control group (P<0.05) and the islet function index of the β-cell of the observation group showed statistically higher values than that of the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, GLP-1 analogues are a better regulator of blood sugar levels, effectively improve lipid profile, body mass, IR and islet β-cell function. Furthermore, GLP-1 analogues opens up a new way to intervene pre-diabetes in children.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues - an efficient therapeutic option for the severe insulin resistance of lipodystrophic syndromes: two case reports

Background

Lipodystrophic syndromes are uncommon medical conditions which are normally associated with metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver disease. These complications are generally difficult to treat, particularly diabetes, due to severe insulin resistance. We present two case reports of successful treatment of diabetes with glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues in patients with clinical features of lipodystrophic syndromes.

Case presentation

Two white women aged 49 and 60 years manifested marked central body fat deposition with severe lipoatrophy of their limbs and buttocks and pronounced acanthosis nigricans. They had hypertension, dyslipidemia, fatty liver disease, and poorly controlled diabetes (glycated hemoglobin 8.3% and 10.2%, respectively) despite the use of three classes of oral antidiabetic drugs taken in combination in the first case, and high doses of insulin in the second case. Four months after the addition of glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue to their previous treatment they both showed a pronounced improvement in metabolic control (glycated hemoglobin 5.6% and 6.2%, respectively). In the first case, a weight loss of nearly 30 kg was recorded.

Conclusions

We intend to demonstrate that glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues could be a valuable tool for patients with lipodystrophic disorders, probably by improving body fat distribution, with favorable results in insulin-sensitivity and glycemic control.

Diabesity management worldwide

Francesca Lake, Managing Editor, speaks to Chinnadorai Rajeswaran. Dr Rajeswaran is a consultant physician (Diabetes & Endocrinology) at Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust. He gained specialist training in Leeds, in diabetes and endocrinology. He has a special interest in obesity and is involved in research in obesity and diabetes. He also has a number of publications, book chapters and presentations to his credit. He along with other co-authors has published a book on weight loss surgery, titled: “The Ultimate Guide to Weight Loss Surgery.” He leads the specialist obesity service at the Mid Yorkshire Trust and Kirklees weight management service. With the help of colleagues in diabetes and obesity he set up the National Diabesity Forum. Dr Rajeswaran is also the medical advisor for Simplyweight, a global specialist weight management organization. He is also involved in both local and international charity work.

Histological changes in endocrine and exocrine pancreatic tissue from patients exposed to incretin-based therapies

AIMS

Incretin-based therapies have been associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis. Recently, various histological abnormalities have been reported in human pancreatic tissue from brain-dead organ donors who had been exposed to incretin-based drugs. In the present study we examined pancreatic tissue collected at surgery.

METHODS

Human pancreatic tissue from 7 type 2-diabetic patients treated with incretin-based drugs (type 2-I), 6 diabetic patients without incretin treatment (type 2-NI), 11 patients without diabetes (no diabetes group) and 9 brain-dead organ donors (BDOD group) was examined.

RESULTS

Fractional beta-cell area was reduced in the type 2-NI group compared to the group without diabetes (P < .05), but there was no difference compared to the type 2-I patients. Alpha-cell area (P = .30), beta-cell replication (P = .17) and alpha-cell replication (P = .91) were not different. There were also no differences in acinar cell (P = .13) and duct cell replication (P = .099). Insulin-positive duct cells were more frequent in the type 2-I and the BDOD groups (P = .034). No co-expression of insulin and glucagon was detected. Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions were very rare, all low-grade (PanIN 1a and 1b) and tended to occur more frequently in the type 2-I group (P = .084).

CONCLUSIONS

The present results did not reveal marked histological abnormalities in the pancreas of incretin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes. Low numbers of specimens available and a large inter-individual variability of the findings warrant caution regarding the interpretation of histological data concerning drug effects on the human pancreas.

GLP-1 analogues for neuroprotection after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Attenuating the neurological damage occurring after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is an ongoing research effort. This dual-centre study investigates the neuroprotective effects of the glucagon-like-peptide-1 analogue Exenatide administered within 4 hours from the return of spontaneous circulation to comatose patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods/design

This pilot study will randomize a total of 120 unconscious patients with sustained return of spontaneous circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest undergoing targeted temperature management in a blinded one-to-one fashion to a 6-hour and 15-minute infusion of either Exenatide or placebo. Patients are eligible for inclusion if resuscitated from cardiac arrest with randomization from 20 minutes to 240 minutes after return of spontaneous circulation. The co-primary endpoint is feasibility, defined as the initiation of treatment within the inclusion window in more than 90 % of participants, and efficacy, defined as the area under the neuron-specific enolase curve from 0 to 72 hours after admission. Secondary endpoints include all-cause mortality at 30 days and Cerebral Performance Category as well as a modified Rankin Score at 180 days. The study has been approved by the Danish National Board of Health and the local Ethics Committee and is monitored by Good Clinical Practice units. The study is currently enrolling.

Discussion

This paper presents the methods and planned statistical analyses used in the GLP-1 trial and aims to minimize bias and data-driven reporting of results.

Trial registration

1) Danish National Board of Health, EudraCT 2013-004311-45. Registered on 25 March 2014.

2) Videnskabsetisk komité C, Region Hovedstaden, No. 45728. Registered on 29 January 2014.

3) Clinicaltrial.gov, NCT02442791. Registered on 25 of January 2015.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1421-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A new GLP-1 analogue with prolonged glucose-lowering activity in vivo via backbone-based modification at the N-terminus

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an endogenous insulinotropic hormone with wonderful glucose-lowering activity. However, its clinical use in type II diabetes is limited due to its rapid degradation at the N-terminus by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV). Among the N-terminal modifications of GLP-1, backbone-based modification was rarely reported. Herein, we employed two backbone-based strategies to modify the N-terminus of tGLP-1. Firstly, the amide N-methylated analogues 2-6 were designed and synthesized to make a full screening of the N-terminal amide bonds, and the loss of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) activation indicated the importance of amide H-bonds. Secondly, with retaining the N-terminal amide H-bonds, the β-peptide replacement strategy was used and analogues 7-13 were synthesized. By two rounds of screening, analogue 10 was identified. Analogue 10 greatly improved the DPP-IV resistance with maintaining good GLP-1R activation in vitro, and showed approximately a 4-fold prolonged blood glucose-lowering activity in vivo in comparison with tGLP-1. This modification strategy will benefit the development of GLP-1-based anti-diabetic drugs.

Longstanding insulin dependent diabetics may not require insulin after the introduction of GLP-1 analogues

Glucagon like peptide (GLP-1) analogues are a relatively novel medication developed primarily for the treatment of type 2 diabetes since 2005. Although GLP-1 analogues have been shown to be more effective in the first few years of diagnosis in type 2 diabetes, we report a case of a patient with longstanding insulin-dependent diabetes started on a GLP-1 analogue, liraglutide, who now has controlled blood sugars without the need of insulin.

Incretins: their physiology and application in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Therapies targeting the action of incretin hormones have been under close scrutiny in recent years. The incretin effect has been defined as postprandial enhancement of insulin secretion by gut-derived factors. Likewise, incretin mimetics and incretin effect amplifiers are the two different incretin-based treatment strategies developed for the treatment of diabetes. Although, incretin mimetics produce effects very similar to those of natural incretin hormones, incretin effect amplifiers act by inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) enzyme to increase plasma concentration of incretins and their biologic effects. Because glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone with various anti-diabetic actions including stimulation of glucose-induced insulin secretion, inhibition of glucagon secretion, hepatic glucose production and gastric emptying, it has been evaluated as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). GLP-1 also manifests trophic effects on pancreas such as pancreatic beta cell growth and differentiation. Because DPP-4 is the enzyme responsible for the inactivation of GLP-1, DPP-4 inhibition represents another potential strategy to increase plasma concentration of GLP-1 to enhance the incretin effect. Thus, anti-diabetic properties of these two classes of drugs have stimulated substantial clinical interest in the potential of incretin-based therapeutic agents as a means to control glucose homeostasis in T2DM patients. Despite this fact, clinical use of GLP-1 mimetics and DPP-4 inhibitors have raised substantial concerns owing to possible side effects of the treatments involving increased risk for pancreatitis, and C-cell adenoma/carcinoma. Thus, controversial issues in incretin-based therapies under development are reviewed and discussed in this manuscript.