Aims/Introduction
Dysregulated inflammatory response is believed to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of several late complications of diabetes mellitus. β‐Glucans are potent inducers of ...immune function. The present randomized, double blind, two‐center, placebo‐controlled study was undertaken to explore safety, tolerability and efficacy of soluble β‐1,3/1,6‐glucan (SBG) as a local treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
Materials and Methods
A total of 60 patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes and lower extremity ulcers (Wagner grade 1–2, Ankle/Brachial Index ≥0.7) received SBG or a comparator product (methylcellulose) locally three times weekly up to 12 weeks in addition to conventional management scheme. A total of 54 patients completed the study.
Results
A tendency for shorter median time to complete healing in the SBG group was observed (36 vs 63 days, P = 0.130). Weekly percentage reduction in ulcer size was significantly higher in the SBG group than in the methylcellulose group between weeks 1–2, 3–4 and 5–6 (P < 0.05). The proportion of ulcers healed by week 12 was also in favor of SBG (59% vs 37%, P = 0.09), with a significantly higher healing incidence in the SBG group at week 8 (44% vs 17%, P = 0.03). SBG was safe and well tolerated. There was a clinically significant difference regarding the incidence of serious adverse events in favor of the SBG treatment.
Conclusions
Local treatment of diabetic lower extremity ulcers with β‐1,3/1,6‐polyglucose shows good safety results. This β‐glucan preparation shows promising potential as a treatment accelerating cutaneous healing. Further studies are required to confirm this effect. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (no. NCT00288392).
Background: The effectiveness of polychemotherapy (PCT) for adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is assessed by imaging tests with the RECIST 1.1 criteria. However, the presence of subclinical tumor foci does ...not allow for an objective measurement of the true tumor burden. As shown previously, postoperative assessment of the steroid metabolome by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) in ACC patients makes it possible to identify early signs of adrenal steroidogenesis abnormalities and of the recurrence of adrenocortical carcinoma. Aim: To identify biomarkers of response to PCT by GCMS study of the urine steroid profile in ACC patients after surgical resection of the tumor. Materials and methods: Urine steroid profiles were studied by GCMS (Shimadzu GCMS-TQ8050 gas chromatography-mass spectrometer) in 30 ACC patients (stages II, III and IV) after surgery and first line (combination of etoposide, doxorubicin and cisplatin with daily mitotane) and second line (gemcitabine combined with capecitabine and mitotane) PCT. The control group included 25 patients with hormonally inactive adenomas. Results: The response to PCT according to RECIST 1.1 criteria was obtained in 23 patients (Group 1, responders) and in 7 patients ACC progressed under PCT (Group 2, non-responders). In the responders, the urinary excretion of etiocholanolone, pregnanediol and pregnanetriol was lower than in the control group. The non-responders had higher urinary excretion of androgens, progestogens and tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol (THS), compared to the responders and the control group. The patients with ACC progression under PCT had an increase in 3β,16,20-pregnenetriol (3β,16,20-dP3) levels and a decrease of the 3α,16,20-dP3/3β,16,20-dP3 ratio, compared to those in the PCT responders. The threshold values for urinary excretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, ≤ 469 mcg/24h; AUC = 1.0), THS (≤ 223 mcg/24h; AUC = 1.0), and 3β,16,20-dP3 (≤ 130 mcg/24h; AUC = 0.986), as well as the 3α,16,20-dP3/3β,16,20-dP3 ratio (≥ 2.13; AUC = 1.0) had 100% sensitivity and specificity for the assessment of the PCT effectiveness. Conclusion: Different urine steroid profiles were obtained by GCMS in the ACC patients after PCT with and without treatment response. The 100% sensitivity and specificity of the threshold values for urinary excretion of DHEA, THS, 3β,16,20-dP3 and the 3α,16,20-dP3/3β,16,20-dP3 ratio for the assessment of PCT results indicate the potential to use these parameters as biomarkers of response or progression of the disease in the monitoring of PCT effects in ACC patients.
Background: Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare aggressive and rapidly metastatic disease. Early diagnosis of the disease and its metastatic stage are important for the choice of treatment ...strategy. Evaluation of urine steroid profiles (USP) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker instrument that allows for differentiation between benign and malignant tumor and obvious prospects for the diagnosis in patients with adrenal incidentalomas. In our previous study we have found no difference in urine excretion of tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisole (THS), 5-ene-pregnenes and 3,16,20-pregnenetriol/3,16,20-pregnenetriol ratio (3,16,20-dP3/3,16,20-dP3) in patients with metastatic ACC in early postoperative period, compared to pre-operative parameters. We did not account for the disease stage and primary tumor size in that study in ACC patients.
Aim: To identify specific characteristics of urine steroid metabolome by GC-MS in ACC IIV stages patients before surgery in order to detect early signs of metastases and the relationship between adrenal steroidogenesis abnormalities and disease stages.
Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the data from the study of USP in 59 ACC stage I-IV patients with L. M. Weiss score 3, according to pathological examination of the surgical samples. The Cushing syndrome was diagnosed by immunochemistry assay in 28 (47.6%) of ACC patients. Tumor staging was done according to ENSAT based on the results of imaging and postoperative histological reports. ENSAT I was diagnosed in 8 patients, ENSAT II in 26, ENSAT III in 14, ENSAT IV in 11 ACC patients. The control group included 28 healthy donors. USP was assessed by GC-MS before surgery with a gas chromatography-mass-spectrometer Shimadzu GCMS-ТQ8050.
Results: The first variant of urinary steroid metabolome abnormalities with increased excretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and THS was found in 10 (90.9%) of ENSAT IV ACC patients and in 20 (50%) of ENSAT II + III patients. The fourth USP variant was characterized by no difference in androgen and THS urinary excretion from that in healthy individuals and was found in ACC ENSAT I patients. Only in ACC ENSAT I patients, there was an increase of pregnanediol (P2) urinary excretion and of the P2/pregnanetriol (P3) ratio, compared to those in healthy donors. ROC-analysis demonstrated that ТНS 867 mcg/24 hours, 3,16,20-dP3 300 mcg/24 hours and 3,16,20-dP3/3,16,20-dP3 1.6 cut-offs had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% for preoperative identification of ENSAT IV ACC patients before surgery and for early diagnosis of ACC metastases. There were positive correlations between 16-oxo-androstenediol, THS, and progestogens, as well as a negative correlation between 3,16,20-dP3/3,16,20-dP3 ratio and the disease stage.
Conclusion: Urinary excretion of THS, DHEA and its metabolites, P2, 5-ene-pregnenes, and 3,16,20-dP3/3,16,20-dP3 ratio determined by GC-MS are important biochemical markers of ACC stages and can be used as ACC metastases prognostic markers.
Background: Prolonged episodes of uncontrolled congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) have been shown to result in the occurrence of secondary adrenal neoplasms. Prevalence of adrenal incidentalomas in ...the patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency ranges from 11% to 82%. As assessed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), patients with adrenocortical cancer (ACC) have increased level of steroid hormone precursors due to decreased activity of adrenal steroidogenesis enzymes, mainly that of 21-hydroxylase and 11-hydroxylase. It seems relevant to compare the specific characteristics of steroid metabolism by GC-MS in ACC patients and in patients with adrenal incidentalomas and CAH associated with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD).
Aim: To identify (by GC-MS) common abnormalities in steroid metabolism and differential diagnostic biomarkers in ACC patients and CAH patients with 21-OHD and adrenal masses.
Materials and methods: The study included 41 patients with adrenal cortex neoplasms aged 18 to 65 years without clinical and laboratory signs of endogenous hypercortisolism. Twenty three (23) patients had non-metastatic ACC and 18 patients had CAH due to 21-OHD. The control group included 26 healthy blood donors aged 20 to 59 years. Urine steroid profiles were measured by GC-MS with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (Shimadzu GCMS-QP2020).
Results: In the ACC patients, there was an increase in urinary excretion of tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenediol-17, etiocholanolone, pregnenediol, and 3,16,20-pregnenetriol (3,16,20-dP3), as well as a decrease in the 3,16,20-dP3/3,16,20-dP3 ratio, compared to the values in the patients with CAH due to 21-OHD. Compared to the healthy control, 21-hydroxylase, 11-hydroxylase, 5-reductase and 11-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (11-HSDH) type 2 activities were lower. Compared to the ACC patients, those with CAH due to 21-OHD had higher urinary excretion of 11-oxo-pregnanetriol (11-oxo-P3) and 21-deoxy-tetrahydrocortisol and lower 5-THF+5-THF+THE)/11-oxo-P3 ratio of 9.0, determination of 11-oxo-dP3, signs higher 5-reductase activity and lower 11-HSDH type 1 activity. The ACC patients and the patients with CAH due to 21-OHD had common abnormalities of steroid metabolism, such as lower activities of 21-hydroxylase, 3-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase and 11-hydroxylase, and no differences in urinary excretion of a number of ACC biomarkers (androgens, pregnanediol, and 5-ene-pregnenes).
Conclusion: The assessment of urinary excretion of androgens, progestagens, and glucocorticoids by GC-MS made it possible to identify common abnormalities in steroid metabolism in the patients with ACC and CAH due to 21-OHD, which confirms the role of disordered steroidogenesis in the formation of adrenocortical tumors.
Weight reduction is essential for improving health outcomes in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. We assessed the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic ...polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, versus placebo, for weight management in people living with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
This phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in seven countries. Adults (aged ≥18 years) with a body-mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or higher and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7–10% (53–86 mmol/mol) were randomly assigned (1:1:1), using a computer-generated random sequence via a validated interactive web-response system, to receive either once-weekly, subcutaneous tirzepatide (10 mg or 15 mg) or placebo for 72 weeks. All participants, investigators, and the sponsor were masked to treatment assignment. Coprimary endpoints were the percent change in bodyweight from baseline and bodyweight reduction of 5% or higher. The treatment-regimen estimand assessed effects regardless of treatment discontinuation or initiation of antihyperglycaemic rescue therapy. Efficacy and safety endpoints were analysed with data from all randomly assigned participants (intention-to-treat population). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04657003.
Between March 29, 2021, and April 10, 2023, of 1514 adults assessed for eligibility, 938 (mean age 54·2 years SD 10·6, 476 51% were female, 710 76% were White, and 561 60% were Hispanic or Latino) were randomly assigned and received at least one dose of tirzepatide 10 mg (n=312), tirzepatide 15 mg (n=311), or placebo (n=315). Baseline mean bodyweight was 100·7 kg (SD 21·1), BMI 36·1 kg/m2 (SD 6·6), and HbA1c 8·02% (SD 0·89; 64·1 mmol/mol SD 9·7). Least-squares mean change in bodyweight at week 72 with tirzepatide 10 mg and 15 mg was –12·8% (SE 0·6) and –14·7% (0·5), respectively, and –3·2% (0·5) with placebo, resulting in estimated treatment differences versus placebo of –9·6% percentage points (95% CI –11·1 to –8·1) with tirzepatide 10 mg and –11·6% percentage points (–13·0 to –10·1) with tirzepatide 15 mg (all p<0·0001). More participants treated with tirzepatide versus placebo met bodyweight reduction thresholds of 5% or higher (79–83% vs 32%). The most frequent adverse events with tirzepatide were gastrointestinal-related, including nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting and were mostly mild to moderate in severity, with few events leading to treatment discontinuation (<5%). Serious adverse events were reported by 68 (7%) participants overall and two deaths occurred in the tirzepatide 10 mg group, but deaths were not considered to be related to the study treatment by the investigator.
In this 72-week trial in adults living with obesity and type 2 diabetes, once-weekly tirzepatide 10 mg and 15 mg provided substantial and clinically meaningful reduction in bodyweight, with a safety profile that was similar to other incretin-based therapies for weight management.
Eli Lilly and Company.
To examine efficacy of Subetta as an add-on to insulin therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was ...performed. Derived by technological treatment of antibodies to insulin receptor β-subunit and endothelial NO synthase Subetta was previously proved to activate insulin signaling pathway.
A total of 144 randomized patients with poor glycemic control in basal-bolus insulin regime were included in intention-to-treat analysis in Subetta add-on therapy or placebo (n = 72 in both groups). Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), basal and prandial insulin doses, number of hypoglycemia episodes confirmed by self-monitoring of blood glucose were recorded for 36 weeks.
The baseline characteristics of subjects did not differ between the two groups. HbA1c mean (±standard deviation) change was −0.59 ± 0.99% (95% CI −0.84 to −0.37) after 36 weeks in Subetta (vs. −0.20 ± 1.14%; 95% CI −0.44 to 0.11 in placebo; p = 0.028).
The rate of overall hypoglycemia events was 7.9 per patient year (95% CI 7.1–8.6) in Subetta group and 7.6 (95% CI 6.9–8.4) in Placebo group (p = 0.63). The basal and total insulin doses did not change at the end of 36 weeks in both groups.
Subetta add-on therapy boosting insulin activity and improving glycemic control in patients with T1DM is proved to be beneficial.
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01868594.
Background: Endogenous hypercortisolism of adrenal origin is commonly associated with immune suppression. However, these patients also have signs characteristic of chronic inflammatory diseases. ...Better understanding of the mechanisms that alter the functioning of the immune system would allow for the development of a patient-centered approach to the treatment of corticotropin-independent endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS). Aim: To assess the association between full blood count and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based urinary steroid excretion in patients with adrenal masses depending on malignancy grade and presence of hypercortisolism. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 42 patients with adrenal masses who had not received chemotherapy. The median age of the patients was 54 Q25; Q75: 37; 63 years, and 76% of them were female. Preoperatively, all patients had hematology tests with differential leukocyte count. Steroid metabolome was assessed with Shimadzu GCMS-TQ8050 gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. Results: Twelve (12) patients had adrenocortical cancer (ACC) and CS, 9 patients had ACC without CS, 11 had adrenocortical adenomas (ACA) and CS, and 10 patients had ACA without CS. ACC patients had a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) than those with ACA: 3.35 2.5; 6.3 vs 1.99 1.41; 2.65 (р = 0.001). There was a linear correlation between NLR and serum cortisol levels after the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (r = 0.41, p = 0.01), urinary excretion of 5β-tetrahydrocortisol (5β-THF) (r = 0.71, p 0.001) and 11β-hydroxyandrosterone (11β-OH-An) (r = 0.74, p 0.001). The ACC patients without CS had lower 5β-THF urinary excretion values, compared to ACA with CS patients: 931 616; 1610 and 3139 1480; 4375 mcg/24h, respectively (р = 0.007). 11β-OH-An urinary excretion in ACC patients without CS was higher than in ACA patients with CS: 1170 806; 1266 и 602 320; 739 mcg/24h (р = 0.007). The NLR cut-off value for adrenal mass malignancy in patients with CS exceeded 2.72 (sensitivity 90.0%, specificity 80.0%), and for the patients without hypercortisolism was above 1.92 (sensitivity 71.4%, specificity 100.0%). Conclusion: This is the first association identification between NLR, which is the marker of systemic inflammation, inflammation, and urinary excretion of 11β-OH-An, a metabolite of 11-hydroxyandrostenedione (a member of 11-oxygenated androgen family). This extends our understanding of the impact of hormonal activity of adrenal mass cells on the immune system.
BACKGROUND.
Hypoglycemia and fear of hypoglycemia remain critical problems in the treatment of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) and are factors limiting proper control of glycemia and ...preventing the achievement of metabolic compensation of the disease. The use of pump insulin therapy involves the prevention of hypoglycemic conditions.
AIM.
To analyze the frequency and duration of hypoglycemia episodes, their effect on the metabolic compensation of the disease in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in real clinical practice, depending on the mode/method of insulin administration.
MATERIALS AND METHODS.
The study involved 117 adolescents with DM1 aged 12 to 19 years (average age 15.5 years). 37 adolescents received therapy by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII); 80 adolescents received therapy by multiple insulin injections (MII). The level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA
1c
) was determined for all adolescents, and its main indicators were evaluated using a 6 days continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) by the «blind» method of a professional system with an iPro 2 sensor (Medtronic MiniMed, USA).
RESULTS.
Episodes of a decrease in glucose levels <3,9 mmol/l were recorded in 87% of patients (n=102), 63% (n=74) showed a decrease in glucose levels <3,0 mmol/l. Episodes decrease in glucose levels <3,9 mmol/l at night were recorded in 68% of patients (n=80), and with glucose levels <3,9 mmol/l in 46% (n=54). The frequency of episodes of glucose lowering <3,9 mmol/l had no statistically significant differences depending on the methods of insulin administration (by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or multiple insulin injections), however, they are more common in adolescents with HbA
1c
<7,0% (p=0,03). The median time spent by patients in the range of <3,9 mmol/l was 5% per day, and a longer time in this range was observed in patients with HbA
1c
<7,0% (p=0,006). The median time in the range of <3,0 mmol/l was 1% per day and had no significant differences depending on the level of HbA
1c
(p=0,559). There were also no significant differences depending on the groups using CSII and MII (p=0,640 and p=0,250).
CONCLUSION.
Episodes of glucose reduction in the range of <3,9 mmol/l according to CGM data are more common in adolescents with HbA
1c
target values, regardless of the method of insulin administration. Significantly more time in range of <3,9 mmol/l is spent by adolescents with target values of HbA
1c
i.е. <7,0% compared with HbA
1c
≥7,0%, however, in both groups, a large number of patients had time in the range below the target level was higher than recommended values.
Abstract Aims The aim of this study is to explore whether administration timing affects glycaemic control by lixisenatide once-daily in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A phase IIIb, ...open-label, 1:1 randomized, active-controlled, 24-week multicentre study of T2DM patients inadequately controlled on metformin was conducted. Patients were administered lixisenatide before breakfast or the main meal. The primary endpoint was change from baseline at week 24 in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Other endpoints: changes in body weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 7-point self-monitored plasma glucose (SMPG) and Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire status (DTSQs) score. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored. Results Mean change in HbA1c from baseline at week 24 was − 0.65% (− 7.1 mmol/mol; main meal) and − 0.74% (− 8.1 mmol/mol; breakfast). Mean changes in FPG, body weight and DTSQs score were comparable between groups. The mean change in body weight (kg) was − 2.60 (main meal) and − 2.80 (breakfast group). The 7-point SMPG profiles showed greatest reductions in postprandial glucose after the meal at which lixisenatide was administered, with a residual effect seen on the subsequent meal. AE rates were similar between groups, including gastrointestinal AEs. Conclusions Lixisenatide before the main meal was noninferior to lixisenatide before breakfast in patients insufficiently controlled on metformin. Lixisenatide treatment allows flexibility in administration timing.
Background
: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive disease. There are only few studies evaluating the diagnostic value of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for detection ...of ACC recurrence after surgery. It is necessary to conduct an in-depth study to search for the most informative markers of the disease relapse.
Aim
: To study urine steroid metabolism by GC-MS during treatment to identify early signs of metastatic disease and relapse.
Materials and methods
: Thirty nine (39) ACC patients were examined before and after surgery, in the early postoperative period (< 1 year) and late postoperative period (at 2 to 5 years). Ten (10) patients were disease-free at less than 1 year after surgery. Twenty nine (29) patients had metastases in lungs and other organs: 14, within 1 year after surgery, and 15, at 2 to 5 years. The control group included 25 patients with nonfunctioning adrenocortical adenomas (NAA) without malignant characteristics at histological examination. Urine steroid profiles were assessed with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer Shimadzu GCMS-QP2020.
Results
: As assessed by GC-MS, 16 major ACC biomarkers were found before surgery, including etiocholanolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its metabolites, pregnanediol, pregnanetriol, 5-ene-pregnenes, and tetrahydro-11-deoxycortisol (THS). Their urine excretion was increased compared to that in the patients with NAA (р < 0.002). A non-classic 5-ene-pregnene, 3β,16,20-pregnenetriol (3β,16,20-dP3), was identified, with its urine excretion of > 500 mcg/day that was typical for ACC patients. After surgery, decreased urinary excretion of THS (р < 0.0001) and 3β,16,20-dP3 (р < 0.0001), increased 3α,16,20-dP3/3β,16,20-dP3 ratio (р = 0.003), compared to those before surgery, were indicative of the absence of any metastases. No difference of urine THS excretion and 3α,16,20-dP3/3e,16,20-dP3 ratio from the corresponding values before surgery (p > 0.05) is a sign of metastatic diseases in the ACC patients at less than 1 year after the surgery, of the disease relapse at 2 to 5 years, and of the disease relapse after chemotherapy. In addition, in the ACC patients with metastatic disease within 1 year after surgery, increased progestogen urine excretion was found. Urine excretion of DHEA and its metabolites in the patients with the disease relapse after chemotherapy was not different from those in the ACC patients before surgery (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
: Determination of urine excretion of THS, DHEA and its metabolites, etiocholanolone, 5-ene-pregnenes, 3β,16,20-dP3, and 3α,16,20-dP3/3β,16,20-dP3 ratio by GC-MS is of utmost importance in the monitoring of treatment for ACC and early diagnosis of the disease progression.
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