Dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor and semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, have both demonstrated efficacy in glycemic control, reducing blood pressure, ...body weight, risk of renal and heart failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this observational, real-world, study we aimed to investigate the efficacy of the combination therapy with those two agents over glycemic control. We thus obtained the data of 1335 patients with type 2 diabetes followed by 11 Diabetes centers in Lombardia, Italy. A group of 443 patients was treated with dapagliflozin alone, the other group of 892 patients was treated with the combination therapy of dapagliflozin plus oral semaglutide. We analyzed changes in glycated hemoglobin from baseline to 6 months of follow-up, as well as changes in fasting glycemia, body weight, body mass index, systolic and diastolic pressure, heart rate, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria. Both groups of patients showed an improvement of glycometabolic control after 6 months of treatment; indeed, the treatment with dapagliflozin plus oral semaglutide showed a reduction of glycated hemoglobin of 1.2% as compared to the 0.5% reduction observed in the dapagliflozin alone group. Significant changes were observed in body mass index, fasting plasmatic glucose, blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL and albumin to creatinine ratio, with a high rate (55%) of near-normalization of glycated hemoglobin. Our real world data confirmed the potential of the oral combination therapy dapagliflozin with semaglutide in inducing pharmacological remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the effects of the addition of sitagliptin or metformin to pioglitazone monotherapy in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on body weight, ...glycemic control, β -cell function, insulin resistance, and inflammatory state parameters. One hundred fifty-one patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (glycated hemoglobin HbA1c >7.5%) in therapy with pioglitazone 30 mg/d were enrolled in this study. We randomized patients to take pioglitazone 30 mg plus sitagliptin 100 mg once a day, or pioglitazone 15 mg plus metformin 850 mg twice a day. We evaluated at baseline and after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months these parameters: body weight, body mass index, HbA1c , fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment β -cell function index, fasting plasma proinsulin (Pr), Pr/FPI ratio, adiponectin, resistin (R), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. A decrease of body weight and body mass index was observed with metformin, but not with sitagliptin, at the end of the study. We observed a comparable significant decrease of HbA1c , FPG, and PPG and a significant increase of homeostasis model assessment β -cell function index compared with baseline in both groups without any significant differences between the 2 groups. Fasting plasma insulin, fasting plasma Pr, Pr/FPI ratio, and HOMA-IR values were decreased in both groups even if the values obtained with metformin were significantly lower than the values obtained with sitagliptin. There were no significant variations of ADN, R, or TNF- α with sitagliptin, whereas a significant increase of ADN and a significant decrease of R and TNF- α values were recorded with metformin. A significant decrease of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein value was obtained in both groups without any significant differences between the 2 groups. There was a significant correlation between HOMA-IR decrease and ADN increase, and between HOMA-IR decrease and R and TNF- α decrease in pioglitazone plus metformin group after the treatment. The addition of both sitagliptin or metformin to pioglitazone gave an improvement of HbA1c , FPG, and PPG; but metformin led also to a decrease of body weight and to a faster and better improvement of insulin resistance and inflammatory state parameters, even if sitagliptin produced a better protection of β -cell function.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exenatide compared to glimepiride on body weight, glycemic control and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients taking metformin. One hundred ...and eleven patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus and intolerant to metformin at the highest dosages (2500–3000
mg/day) were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized to receive exenatide 5
μg twice a day or glimepiride 1
mg three times a day and titrated after 1
month to exenatide 10
μg twice a day or glimepiride 2
mg three times a day for 12
months in a randomized, single-blind, controlled study. We evaluated at the baseline and after 3, 6, 9, and 12
months these parameters: body weight, body mass index (BMI), HbA
1c, glycemic control, fasting plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) index, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and high sensitivity-C reactive protein. Both treatments gave a similar improvement of glycemic control, without any differences between the two groups. Only exenatide gave a decrease of BMI, insulin resistance parameters such as fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, and adiponectin and a decrease of inflammatory parameters such as tumor necrosis factor-α, and high sensitivity-C reactive protein. Furthermore, the values obtained with exenatide were significantly better than the values recorded with glimepiride. We can conclude that exenatide was better than glimepiride in improving insulin resistance and inflammatory state. Furthermore, adiponectin increase, and tumor necrosis factor-α reduction seem to be related to weight loss obtained with exenatide.
► Both exenatide and glimepiride gave a similar improvement of glycemic control. ► Only exenatide gave a decrease of BMI, insulin resistance and inflammation. ► Adiponectin increase, and TNF-α reduction seem to be related to weight loss.
This study tested the hypothesis of cortical neural efficiency (i.e., reduced brain activation in experts) in the visuospatial information processing related to football (soccer) scenes in football ...players. Electroencephalographic data were recorded from 56 scalp electrodes in 13 football players and eight matched non-players during the observation of 70 videos with football actions lasting 2.5 s each. During these videos, the central fixation target changed color from red to blue or vice versa. The videos were watched two times. One time, the subjects were asked to estimate the distance between players during each action (FOOTBALL condition, visuospatial). Another time, they had to estimate if the fixation target was colored for a longer time in red or blue color (CONTROL condition, non-visuospatial). The order of the two conditions was pseudo-randomized across the subjects. Cortical activity was estimated as the percent reduction in power of scalp alpha rhythms (about 8-12 Hz) during the videos compared with a pre-video baseline (event-related desynchronization, ERD). In the FOOTBALL condition, a prominent and bilateral parietal alpha ERD (i.e., cortical activation) was greater in the football players than non-players (
< 0.05) in contrast with the neural efficiency hypothesis. In the CONTROL condition, no significant alpha ERD difference was observed. No difference in behavioral response time and accuracy was found between the two groups in any condition. In conclusion, a prominent parietal cortical activity related to visuospatial processes during football scenes was greater in the football players over controls in contrast with the neural efficiency hypothesis.
To evaluate the effect of acarbose on glycemic control and glycemic variability, using a continuous glucose-monitoring system, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were not well controlled ...on metformin and vildagliptin therapy.
Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Clinical research units at three hospitals in Italy.
Fifty-three patients with type 2 diabetes who were taking stable dosages of metformin 850 mg 3 times/day and vildagliptin 50 mg twice/day for at least 3 months and who were not adequately controlled with these therapies.
Patients were randomized to either placebo or acarbose 100 mg 3 times/day to be added to their metformin-vildagliptin regimen.
Glycemic excursions were assessed by using a continuous glucose-monitoring system for 1 week. Glycemic control was estimated as the mean blood glucose (MBG) level, the area under the glucose concentration-time curve for a glucose level above 70 mg/dl (AUC above 70) or 180 mg/dl (AUC above 180), and the percentage of time that the glucose level was above 70 mg/dl (T above 70) or 180 mg/dl (T above 180). Intraday glycemic variability was assessed by the standard deviation of the blood glucose level, the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), the M value, and continuous overlapping net glycemic action. Day-to-day glycemic variability was assessed as the mean of daily difference (MODD). The MBG level was ~20 mg/dl lower in the acarbose group than in the placebo group (p<0.05), particularly during the postprandial period. The AUC above 70 did not significantly differ between the two groups, whereas the AUC above 180 was ~40% lower in the acarbose group than in the placebo group during the daytime (p<0.01). The T above 180 was significantly higher in the placebo group than in the acarbose group (31% vs 8%, p<0.01. Moreover, the standard deviation and MAGE values were significantly lower in the acarbose group. The MODD value was not significantly changed in either group, and no significant differences were recorded between groups. All adverse events were mild in both groups, with only a significantly greater frequency of flatulence noted in the acarbose group (5% with acarbose vs 0.5% with placebo, p<0.05).
The addition of acarbose to metformin and vildagliptin background therapy in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes decreased intraday glycemic variability, especially postprandial variability, but it was not associated with a significant change in interday glycemic variability.
Study Objective
To evaluate the effects of exenatide on some inflammatory markers and to quantify the effect of exenatide on β‐cell function.
Design
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled ...trial.
Setting
Seven hospitals in Italy.
Patients
A total of 174 white treatment‐naive adults with type 2 diabetes and a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level higher than 7.5%.
Intervention
After an open‐label run‐in period of 8 ± 2 months with metformin, patients were randomized to take exenatide (5 μg twice/day for the first 4 weeks, 10 μg twice/day thereafter) or a placebo volume equivalent for 12 months.
Measurements and Main Results
Body mass index, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin (FPI), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index, homeostasis model assessment β‐cell function index (HOMA‐β), fasting plasma proinsulin (FPPr), proinsulin‐to‐fasting plasma insulin ratio (Pr:FPI ratio), C‐peptide, glucagon, vaspin, chemerin, and resistin were evaluated at baseline, at randomization, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Patients also underwent a combined euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic, and hyperglycemic clamp with subsequent arginine stimulation to assess insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. HbA1c was significantly improved with exenatide plus metformin compared with placebo plus metformin. Exenatide plus metformin was also significantly more effective than placebo plus metformin in increasing HOMA‐β C‐peptide, and all measures of β‐cell function after the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic and hyperglycemic clamp. We observed that exenatide plus metformin also reduced resistin compared with placebo plus metformin. No variations in vaspin and chemerin were noted in group‐to‐group comparisons. We observed a significant correlation between M value increase, an index of insulin sensitivity, and a decrease in inflammatory parameters in the exenatide plus metformin group.
Conclusions
The combination of exenatide plus metformin was more effective than metformin alone in improving glycemic control, β‐cell function, and inflammatory parameters.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of barnidipine+losartan compared with telmisartan+hydrochlorothiazide on several parameters of insulin sensitivity in patients with hypertension and ...type 2 diabetes mellitus. We enrolled 148 normocholesterolemic patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients were treated with barnidipine, 20 mg day(-1), in combination with losartan, 100 mg day(-1), or with telmisartan+hydrochlorothiazide, 80/12.5 mg day(-1), for 6 months. We assessed blood pressure (BP) on a monthly basis; additionally, blood samples were collected to assess, at baseline and after 6 months, the following parameters: fasting plasma glucose; glycated hemoglobin; fasting plasma insulin; HOMA index; and some adipocytokines, such as adiponectin (ADN), resistin, leptin, visfatin and vaspin. Patients were also subjected to an euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp to assess the M value and glucose infusion rate to ascertain their insulin sensitivity. One hundred and forty-one patients completed the study. The BP was reduced in both groups, although the reduction was greater with barnidipine+losartan (P<0.001 vs. baseline and P<0.01 vs. telmisartan+hydrochlorothiazide). Barnidipine+losartan increased the M value and glucose infusion rate during the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (P<0.05 vs. baseline and vs. telmisartan+hydrochlorothiazide). With respect to the levels of adipocytokines, ADN was increased (P<0.05), and resistin and leptin were reduced from baseline with barnidipine+losartan (P<0.05 vs. baseline), but they were not reduced with telmisartan+hydrochlorothiazide. Visfatin and vaspin were reduced by barnidipine+losartan compared with baseline (P<0.05). The adipocytokine levels obtained with barnidipine+losartan were significantly better than those obtained with telmisartan+hydrochlorothiazide (P<0.05 for all parameters). In addition to providing a greater BP reduction, barnidipine+losartan improved the insulin sensitivity, as assessed by an euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, and improved some of the adipocytokines related to insulin resistance.
Aims
According to cardiovascular outcome trials, some sodium‐glucose contransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RA) are recommended for secondary ...cardiovascular prevention in type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this real‐world study, we compared the simultaneous reductions in HbA1c, body weight and systolic blood pressure after initiation of dapagliflozin or GLP‐1RA as second or a more advanced line of therapy.
Materials and methods
DARWIN‐T2D was a retrospective multi‐centre study conducted at diabetes specialist clinics in Italy that compared T2D patients who initiated dapagliflozin or GLP‐1RA (exenatide once weekly or liraglutide). Data were collected at baseline and at the first follow‐up visit after 3 to 12 months. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a simultaneous reduction in HbA1c, body weight and systolic blood pressure. To reduce confounding, we used multivariable adjustment (MVA) or propensity score matching (PSM).
Results
Totals of 473 patients initiating dapagliflozin and 336 patients initiating GLP‐1RA were included. The two groups differed in age, diabetes duration, HbA1c, weight and concomitant medications. The median follow‐up was 6 months in both groups. Using MVA or PSM, the primary endpoint was observed in 30% to 32% of patients, with no difference between groups. Simultaneous reduction of HbA1c, BP and SBP by specific threshold, as well as achievement of final goals, did not differ between groups. GLP‐1RA reduced HbA1c by 0.3% more than the reduction achieved with dapagliflozin.
Conclusion
In routine specialist care, initiation of dapagliflozin can be as effective as initiation of a GLP‐1RA for attainment of combined risk factor goals.
In this study, we retrospectively compared the effectiveness of exenatide once‐weekly (ExeOW) versus liraglutide in non‐insulin treated patients with type 2 diabetes followed under routine care. We ...also present a meta‐analysis of similar observational studies available in the literature. In our multicentre retrospective study, patients initiating ExeOW (n = 204) or liraglutide (n = 410) had similar baseline clinical characteristics. Change in HbA1c at 6 months was superimposable in the two groups (−0.7% ± 1.0%), and changes in body weight were also similar (ExeOW ‐2.2 ± 3.7 kg; liraglutide −2.5 ± 4.3 kg; p = 0.457). Discontinuation rates were numerically but not significantly lower for ExeOW versus liraglutide. Pooling these data with those of observational studies available in the literature yielded superimposable effects between the two groups for the change in HbA1c and body weight, with a higher risk of discontinuation (mainly based on pharmacy refill rates) for ExeOW. We conclude that, in patients under routine care, initiation of ExeOW provides similar benefits on HbA1c and body weight as initiation of liraglutide. These data help view the results of randomized controlled trials from the perspective of their application in routine clinical practice.
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