Genetic architecture and biology of youth-onset type 2 diabetes.

The prevalence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) and childhood obesity has been rising steadily1, producing a growing public health concern1 that disproportionately affects minority groups2. The genetic basis of youth-onset T2D and its relationship to other forms of diabetes are unclear3. Here we report a detailed genetic characterization of youth-onset T2D by analysing exome sequences and common variant associations for 3,005 individuals with youth-onset T2D and 9,777 adult control participants matched for ancestry, including both males and females. We identify monogenic diabetes variants in 2.4% of individuals and three exome-wide significant (P < 2.6 × 10-6) gene-level associations (HNF1A, MC4R, ATXN2L). Furthermore, we report rare variant association enrichments within 25 gene sets related to obesity, monogenic diabetes and ß-cell function. Many youth-onset T2D associations are shared with adult-onset T2D, but genetic risk factors of all frequencies-and rare variants in particular-are enriched within youth-onset T2D cases (5.0-fold increase in the rare variant and 3.4-fold increase in common variant genetic liability relative to adult-onset cases). The clinical presentation of participants with youth-onset T2D is influenced in part by the frequency of genetic risk factors within each individual. These findings portray youth-onset T2D as a heterogeneous disease situated on a spectrum between monogenic diabetes and adult-onset T2D.

Trajectories of eGFR and risk of albuminuria in youth with type 2 diabetes: results from the TODAY cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We conducted exploratory analyses to identify distinct trajectories of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and their relationship with hyperfiltration, subsequent rapid eGFR decline, and albuminuria in participants with youth-onset type 2 diabetes enrolled in the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study. METHODS: Annual serum creatinine, cystatin C, urine albumin, and creatinine measurements were obtained from 377 participants followed for ≥ 10 years. Albuminuria and eGFR were calculated. Hyperfiltration peak is the greatest eGFR inflection point during follow-up. Latent class modeling was applied to identify distinct eGFR trajectories. RESULTS: At baseline, participants' mean age was 14 years, type 2 diabetes duration was 6 months, mean HbA1c was 6%, and mean eGFR was 120 ml/min/1.73 m2. Five eGFR trajectories associated with different rates of albuminuria were identified, including a "progressive increasing eGFR" group (10%), three "stable eGFR" groups with varying starting mean eGFR, and an "eGFR steady decline" group (1%). Participants who exhibited the greatest peak eGFR also had the highest levels of elevated albuminuria at year 10. This group membership was characterized by a greater proportion of female and Hispanic participants. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct eGFR trajectories that associate with albuminuria risk were identified, with the eGFR trajectory characterized by increasing eGFR over time associating with the highest level of albuminuria. These descriptive data support the current recommendations to estimate GFR annually in young persons with type 2 diabetes and provide insight into eGFR-related factors which may contribute to predictive risk strategies for kidney disease therapies in youth with type 2 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00081328, date registered 2002. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

The Metreleptin Effectiveness and Safety Registry (MEASuRE): concept, design and challenges.

BACKGROUND: Metreleptin, a recombinant analog of human leptin, is an approved therapy, adjunct to diet, to treat the metabolic complications of leptin deficiency in patients with lipodystrophy - a group of rare diseases characterized by a paucity of adipose tissue. MEASuRE (Metreleptin Effectiveness And Safety Registry) is a post-authorization, voluntary registry that gathers long-term safety and effectiveness data on metreleptin. Here, we present the aims and evolution of MEASuRE. METHODS: MEASuRE was established to collect data from patients receiving commercially supplied metreleptin in the United States (US) and European Union (EU). MEASuRE aims to determine the incidence and severity of safety events and describe the clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes in the metreleptin-treated population. A key feature of MEASuRE is that it accumulates data from different sources to meet post-authorization objectives. US data are received directly from treating physicians via a contract research organization-mediated electronic data capture system. In the EU, data are received via the European Registry of Lipodystrophies managed by the European Consortium of Lipodystrophies (ECLip), a platform established by researchers and physicians to advance the knowledge of lipodystrophy. MEASuRE complies with applicable regulatory requirements governing privacy, and the storage, management, and access of data. RESULTS: Leveraging processes, infrastructure, and data from the ECLip registry presented several challenges that were addressed during MEASuRE's development, including the expansion of the ECLip registry to accommodate MEASuRE-specific data elements, extensive data matching processes to ensure data consistency regardless of source, and rigorous data validation following the amalgamation of global data. Through the support of ECLip, MEASuRE is now a fully operational registry with the capacity for gathering and integrating standardized US- and EU-derived data. As of 31st October 2022, 15 US and four EU sites have participated in the MEASuRE, enrolling 85 patients globally. CONCLUSIONS: Our experiences show that a post-authorization product registry can be successfully integrated into an existing patient registry. We propose that, through collaboration with existing registries and use of their established resources, patient enrolment timelines and data collection for new registries can be expedited. The learnings presented here may be applicable to other registries with similar objectives. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02325674; Registered 25 December 2014 - Retrospectively registered'. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02325674 .

Initial Insights into the Genetic Variation Associated with Metformin Treatment Failure in Youth with Type 2 Diabetes.

Metformin is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in youth but with limited sustained glycemic response. To identify common variants associated with metformin response, we used a genome-wide approach in 506 youth from the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study and examined the relationship between T2D partitioned polygenic scores (pPS), glycemic traits, and metformin response in these youth. Several variants met a suggestive threshold (P < 1 × 10-6), though none including published adult variants reached genome-wide significance. We pursued replication of top nine variants in three cohorts, and rs76195229 in ATRNL1 was associated with worse metformin response in the Metformin Genetics Consortium (n = 7,812), though statistically not being significant after Bonferroni correction (P = 0.06). A higher ß-cell pPS was associated with a lower insulinogenic index (P = 0.02) and C-peptide (P = 0.047) at baseline and higher pPS related to two insulin resistance processes were associated with increased C-peptide at baseline (P = 0.04,0.02). Although pPS were not associated with changes in glycemic traits or metformin response, our results indicate a trend in the association of the ß-cell pPS with reduced ß-cell function over time. Our data show initial evidence for genetic variation associated with metformin response in youth with T2D.

Elucidating Human Milk Oligosaccharide biosynthetic genes through network-based multi-omics integration.

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are abundant carbohydrates fundamental to infant health and development. Although these oligosaccharides were discovered more than half a century ago, their biosynthesis in the mammary gland remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we use a systems biology framework that integrates glycan and RNA expression data to construct an HMO biosynthetic network and predict glycosyltransferases involved. To accomplish this, we construct models describing the most likely pathways for the synthesis of the oligosaccharides accounting for >95% of the HMO content in human milk. Through our models, we propose candidate genes for elongation, branching, fucosylation, and sialylation of HMOs. Our model aggregation approach recovers 2 of 2 previously known gene-enzyme relations and 2 of 3 empirically confirmed gene-enzyme relations. The top genes we propose for the remaining 5 linkage reactions are consistent with previously published literature. These results provide the molecular basis of HMO biosynthesis necessary to guide progress in HMO research and application with the goal of understanding and improving infant health and development.

Correcting for sparsity and interdependence in glycomics by accounting for glycan biosynthesis.

Glycans are fundamental cellular building blocks, involved in many organismal functions. Advances in glycomics are elucidating the essential roles of glycans. Still, it remains challenging to properly analyze large glycomics datasets, since the abundance of each glycan is dependent on many other glycans that share many intermediate biosynthetic steps. Furthermore, the overlap of measured glycans can be low across samples. We address these challenges with GlyCompare, a glycomic data analysis approach that accounts for shared biosynthetic steps for all measured glycans to correct for sparsity and non-independence in glycomics, which enables direct comparison of different glycoprofiles and increases statistical power. Using GlyCompare, we study diverse N-glycan profiles from glycoengineered erythropoietin. We obtain biologically meaningful clustering of mutant cell glycoprofiles and identify knockout-specific effects of fucosyltransferase mutants on tetra-antennary structures. We further analyze human milk oligosaccharide profiles and find mother's fucosyltransferase-dependent secretor-status indirectly impact the sialylation. Finally, we apply our method on mucin-type O-glycans, gangliosides, and site-specific compositional glycosylation data to reveal tissues and disease-specific glycan presentations. Our substructure-oriented approach will enable researchers to take full advantage of the growing power and size of glycomics data.

Metformin improves blood glucose by increasing incretins independent of changes in gluconeogenesis in youth with type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Metformin is the only approved oral agent for youth with type 2 diabetes but its mechanism of action remains controversial. Recent data in adults suggest a primary role for the enteroinsular pathway, but there are no data in youth, in whom metformin efficacy is only ~50%. Our objectives were to compare incretin concentrations and rates of glucose production and gluconeogenesis in youth with type 2 diabetes before and after short-term metformin therapy compared with peers with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). METHODS: This is a case-control observational study in youth with type 2 diabetes who were not on metformin (n = 18) compared with youth with NGT (n = 10) who were evaluated with a 2 day protocol. A 75 g OGTT was administered to measure intact glucagon-like 1 peptide (iGLP-1), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and peptide YY (PYY). Insulinogenic index (IGI) and whole-body insulin sensitivity were calculated using glucose and insulin levels from the OGTT. Basal rates of gluconeogenesis (2H2O), glucose production ([6,6-2H2]glucose) and whole-body lipolysis ([2H5]glycerol) were measured after an overnight fast on study day 2. Youth with type 2 diabetes (n = 9) were subsequently evaluated with an identical 2 day protocol after 3 months on the metformin study. RESULTS: Compared with individuals with NGT, those with type 2 diabetes had higher fasting (7.8 ± 2.5 vs 5.1 ± 0.3 mmol/l, mean ± SD p = 0.002) and 2 h glucose concentrations (13.8 ± 4.5 vs 5.9 ± 0.9 mmol/l, p = 0.001), higher rates of absolute gluconeogenesis (10.0 ± 1.7 vs 7.2 ± 1.1 µmol [kg fat-free mass (FFM)]-1 min-1, p < 0.001) and whole-body lipolysis (5.2 ± 0.9 vs 4.0 ± 1.4 µmol kgFFM-1 min-1, p < 0.01), but lower fasting iGLP-1 concentrations (0.5 ± 0.5 vs 1.3 ± 0.7 pmol/l, p < 0.01). Metformin decreased 2 h glucose (pre metformin 11.4 ± 2.8 vs post metformin 9.9 ± 1.9 mmol/l, p = 0.04) and was associated with ~20-50% increase in IGI (median [25th-75th percentile] pre 1.39 [0.89-1.47] vs post 1.43 [0.88-2.70], p = 0.04), fasting iGLP-1 (pre 0.3 ± 0.2 vs post 1.0 ± 0.7 pmol/l, p = 0.02), 2 h iGLP (pre 0.4 ± 0.2 vs post 1.2 ± 0.9 pmol/l, p = 0.06), fasting PYY (pre 6.3 ± 2.2 vs post 10.5 ± 4.3 pmol/l, p < 0.01) and 2 h PYY (pre 6.6 ± 2.9 vs post 9.0 ± 4.0 pmol/l, p < 0.01). There was no change in BMI, insulin sensitivity or GIP concentrations pre vs post metformin. There were no differences pre vs post metformin in rates of glucose production (15.0 ± 3.9 vs 14.9 ± 2.2 µmol kgFFM-1 min-1, p = 0.84), absolute gluconeogenesis (9.9 ± 1.8 vs 9.7 ± 1.7 µmol kgFFM-1 min-1, p = 0.76) or whole-body lipolysis (5.0 ± 0.7 vs 5.3 ± 1.3 µmol kgFFM-1 min-1, p = 0.20). Post metformin iGLP-1 and PYY concentrations in youth with type 2 diabetes were comparable to levels in youth with NGT. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Overall, the improved postprandial blood glucose levels and increase in incretins observed in the absence of changes in insulin sensitivity and gluconeogenesis, support an enteroinsular mechanistic pathway in youth with type 2 diabetes treated with short-term metformin.

Free fatty acid processing diverges in human pathologic insulin resistance conditions.

BACKGROUNDPostreceptor insulin resistance (IR) is associated with hyperglycemia and hepatic steatosis. However, receptor-level IR (e.g., insulin receptor pathogenic variants, INSR) causes hyperglycemia without steatosis. We examined 4 pathologic conditions of IR in humans to examine pathways controlling lipid metabolism and gluconeogenesis.METHODSCross-sectional study of severe receptor IR (INSR, n = 7) versus postreceptor IR that was severe (lipodystrophy, n = 14), moderate (type 2 diabetes, n = 9), or mild (obesity, n = 8). Lipolysis (glycerol turnover), hepatic glucose production (HGP), gluconeogenesis (deuterium incorporation from body water into glucose), hepatic triglyceride (magnetic resonance spectroscopy), and hepatic fat oxidation (plasma ß-hydroxybutyrate) were measured.RESULTSLipolysis was 2- to 3-fold higher in INSR versus all other groups, and HGP was 2-fold higher in INSR and lipodystrophy versus type 2 diabetes and obesity (P < 0.001), suggesting severe adipose and hepatic IR. INSR subjects had a higher contribution of gluconeogenesis to HGP, approximately 77%, versus 52% to 59% in other groups (P = 0.0001). Despite high lipolysis, INSR subjects had low hepatic triglycerides (0.5% [interquartile range 0.1%-0.5%]), in contrast to lipodystrophy (10.6% [interquartile range 2.8%-17.1%], P < 0.0001). ß-hydroxybutyrate was 2- to 7-fold higher in INSR versus all other groups (P < 0.0001), consistent with higher hepatic fat oxidation.CONCLUSIONThese data support a key pathogenic role of adipose tissue IR to increase glycerol and FFA availability to the liver in both receptor and postreceptor IR. However, the fate of FFA diverges in these populations. In receptor-level IR, FFA oxidation drives gluconeogenesis rather than being reesterified to triglyceride. In contrast, in postreceptor IR, FFA contributes to both gluconeogenesis and hepatic steatosis.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT01778556, NCT00001987, and NCT02457897.FUNDINGNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, US Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service 58-3092-5-001.

Measuring Insulin Resistance in Humans.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance is a pathophysiological condition associated with diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases that is characterized by a diminished tissue response to insulin action. Our understanding of this complex phenomenon and its role in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases is rooted in the discovery of insulin, its isolation and purification, and the challenges encountered with its therapeutic use. SUMMARY: In this historical perspective, we explore the evolution of the term "insulin resistance" and demonstrate how advances in insulin and glucose analytics contributed to the recognition and validation of this metabolic entity. We identify primary discoveries which were pivotal in expanding our knowledge of insulin resistance, the challenges in measurement and interpretation, contemporary techniques, and areas of future exploration. Key Message: Measurements of insulin resistance are important tools for defining and treating cardiometabolic diseases. Accurate quantification of this pathophysiological entity requires careful consideration of the assumptions and pitfalls of the methodological techniques and the historical and clinical context when interpreting and applying the results.

Healthcare and associated costs related to type 2 diabetes in youth and adolescence: the TODAY clinical trial experience.

The economic issues related to medical treatments in youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are rarely reported and thus not fully understood. The Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth clinical trial of youth recently diagnosed with T2D collected healthcare and related cost information from the largest cohort studied to date. Costs related to medical treatments and expenses faced by caregivers were identified over a 2-year period from 496 participants. Data were collected by surveys and diaries to document frequency of use of diabetes care (excluding study laboratory tests), non-diabetes care services and treatments, caregiver time, and expenses related to exercise and dietary activities recommended for patients. Economic costs were derived by applying national cost values to the reported utilization frequency data. Annual medical costs in the first year varied by the treatment group, averaging $1798 in those assigned to metformin alone (M), $2971 to combination drug therapy with metformin + rosiglitazone (M + R), and $2092 to metformin + an intensive lifestyle and behavior change program (M + L). Differences were primarily due to costs related to combination drug therapy. Adult caregiver support costs were higher for participants in the lifestyle program, which was delivered in weekly sessions in the first 6 months. Expenses for purchases to enhance diet and exercise change did not vary by treatment assignment. In year 2, medication costs increased in M and M + L due to the initiation of insulin in subjects who failed to maintain glycemic control on the assigned treatment. Data are reported for use by researchers and those providing healthcare to this vulnerable patient population.

Use of Glucagon in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes.

IN BRIEF Glucagon is an invaluable tool for patients with type 1 diabetes who experience severe hypoglycemia, but little is known about the actual use of rescue glucagon in this patient population. This survey study found that patients with type 1 diabetes were not adequately prescribed glucagon or educated about the use of glucagon, and patients reported various administration issues in using it. These results strongly suggest the need for standards of practice to increase the prescribing of glucagon and the provision of initial and ongoing education about its use and administration and the development of a glucagon rescue device or a glucagon product that would eliminate the complexity of its current formulation and packaging.

Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: Results From the TODAY Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is associated with lower HbA1c in youth with type 2 diabetes taking oral medications only or after starting insulin for persistently elevated HbA1c. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study participants (n = 699) taking oral medications were asked to perform SMBG twice daily. After reaching primary outcome (PO) (HbA1c ≥8% [64 mmol/mol]) over 6 months or an inability to wean from temporary insulin because of metabolic decompensation), insulin glargine was started. HbA1c and percent of SMBG (SMBG%) (percent days when the meter was used one or more times) before and after PO were analyzed. RESULTS: SMBG declined over time and was inversely related to HbA1c (P < 0.0001). Of 298 youth who reached PO and started insulin, 282 had SMBG data. At PO, mean ± SD age was 15.8 ± 2.3 years, BMI 35.5 ± 7.9 kg/m2, and HbA1c 9.6 ± 2.0% (81 ± 21.9 mmol/mol); 65.3% were female. Median SMBG% was 40% at PO, which increased to 49% after 6 months and fell to 41% after 1 year on insulin. At PO, 22% of youth checked ≥80% of days, which increased to 25% and fell to 19% after 6 and 12 months using insulin, respectively. At PO, compared with those who checked <80%, youth who checked ≥80% were younger and with a lower BMI, HbA1c, and blood pressure. SMBG ≥80% was associated with ≥1% reduction in HbA1c at 6 and 12 months after insulin initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Low SMBG adherence was common and associated with higher HbA1c. Optimal SMBG frequency in youth using or not using insulin, and whether less frequent SMBG is a marker for overall worse self-care, require further study.

Gluconeogenesis and risk for fasting hyperglycemia in Black and White women.

Black women, compared with White women, have high rates of whole-body insulin resistance but a lower prevalence of fasting hyperglycemia and hepatic steatosis. This dissociation of whole-body insulin resistance from fasting hyperglycemia may be explained by racial differences in gluconeogenesis, hepatic fat, or tissue-specific insulin sensitivity. Two groups of premenopausal federally employed women, without diabetes were studied. Using stable isotope tracers, [2H2O] and [6,62-H2]glucose, basal glucose production was partitioned into its components (gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis) and basal whole-body lipolysis ([2H5]glycerol) was measured. Indices of insulin sensitivity, whole-body (SI), hepatic (HISIGPR), and adipose tissue, were calculated. Hepatic fat was measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Black women had less hepatic fat and lower fractional and absolute gluconeogenesis. Whole-body SI, HISIGPR, and adipose tissue sensitivity were similar by race, but at any given level of whole-body SI, Black women had higher HISIGPR. Therefore, fasting hyperglycemia may be a less common early pathological feature of prediabetes in Black women compared with White women, because gluconeogenesis remains lower despite similar whole-body SI.

Monogenic diabetes in overweight and obese youth diagnosed with type 2 diabetes: the TODAY clinical trial.

PurposeMonogenic diabetes accounts for 1-2% of diabetes cases. It is often undiagnosed, which may lead to inappropriate treatment. This study was performed to estimate the prevalence of monogenic diabetes in a cohort of overweight/obese adolescents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsSequencing using a custom monogenic diabetes gene panel was performed on a racially/ethnically diverse cohort of 488 overweight/obese adolescents with T2D in the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) clinical trial. Associations between having a monogenic diabetes variant and clinical characteristics and time to treatment failure were analyzed.ResultsMore than 4% (22/488) had genetic variants causing monogenic diabetes (seven GCK, seven HNF4A, five HNF1A, two INS, and one KLF11). Patients with monogenic diabetes had a statistically, but not clinically, significant lower body mass index (BMI) z-score, lower fasting insulin, and higher fasting glucose. Most (6/7) patients with HNF4A variants rapidly failed TODAY treatment across study arms (hazard ratio = 5.03, P = 0.0002), while none with GCK variants failed treatment.ConclusionThe finding of 4.5% of patients with monogenic diabetes in an overweight/obese cohort of children and adolescents with T2D suggests that monogenic diabetes diagnosis should be considered in children and adolescents without diabetes-associated autoantibodies and maintained C-peptide, regardless of BMI, as it may direct appropriate clinical management.

Sulforaphane reduces hepatic glucose production and improves glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

A potentially useful approach for drug discovery is to connect gene expression profiles of disease-affected tissues ("disease signatures") to drug signatures, but it remains to be shown whether it can be used to identify clinically relevant treatment options. We analyzed coexpression networks and genetic data to identify a disease signature for type 2 diabetes in liver tissue. By interrogating a library of 3800 drug signatures, we identified sulforaphane as a compound that may reverse the disease signature. Sulforaphane suppressed glucose production from hepatic cells by nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and decreased expression of key enzymes in gluconeogenesis. Moreover, sulforaphane reversed the disease signature in the livers from diabetic animals and attenuated exaggerated glucose production and glucose intolerance by a magnitude similar to that of metformin. Finally, sulforaphane, provided as concentrated broccoli sprout extract, reduced fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in obese patients with dysregulated type 2 diabetes.

Efficacy and Safety of Mini-Dose Glucagon for Treatment of Nonsevere Hypoglycemia in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

Context: Standard treatment of hypoglycemia is oral carbohydrate, but it often results in hyperglycemia and entails extra caloric intake. Objective: To evaluate low-dose glucagon to treat mild hypoglycemia in ambulatory adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Design: Randomized crossover trial (two 3-week periods). Setting: Five U.S. diabetes clinics. Patients: Twenty adults with T1D using an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and experiencing frequent mild hypoglycemia. Intervention: Nonaqueous mini-dose glucagon (MDG) (150 µg) to treat nonsevere hypoglycemia. Main Outcome Measures: Successful treatment was defined as blood glucose (BG) ≥50 mg/dL 15 minutes and ≥70 mg/dL 30 minutes after intervention, on the study meter. Two authors, blinded to treatment arm, independently judged each event as a clinical success or failure. Results: Sixteen participants (mean age 39 years, 75% female, mean diabetes duration 23 years, mean hemoglobin A1c 7.2%) had 118 analyzable events with initial BG of 50 to 69 mg/dL. Successful treatment criteria were met for 58 (94%) of 62 events during the MDG period and 53 (95%) of 56 events during the glucose tablets (TABS) period (adjusted P = 0.99). Clinical assessments of success for these events were 97% and 96%, respectively. CGM-measured time in range did not differ between treatment groups during the 2 hours after events, but TABS resulted in higher maximum glucose (116 vs 102 mg/dL; P = 0.01) over the first hour. Conclusions: Low-dose glucagon can successfully treat mild hypoglycemia and may be a useful alternative to treatment with oral carbohydrate when trying to avoid unnecessary caloric intake.

Adiponectin, Insulin Sensitivity, ß-Cell Function, and Racial/Ethnic Disparity in Treatment Failure Rates in TODAY.

OBJECTIVE: The Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study demonstrated that glycemic failure rates in the three treatments combined-metformin plus rosiglitazone, metformin alone, and metformin plus lifestyle-were higher in non-Hispanic blacks (NHB; 52.8%) versus non-Hispanic whites (NHW; 36.6%) and Hispanics (H; 45.0%). Moreover, metformin alone was less effective in NHB versus NHW versus H youth. This study describes treatment-associated changes in adiponectin, insulin sensitivity, and ß-cell function over time among the three racial/ethnic groups to understand potential mechanism(s) responsible for this racial/ethnic disparity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: TODAY participants underwent periodic oral glucose tolerance tests to determine insulin sensitivity, C-peptide index, and oral disposition index (oDI), with measurements of total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin (HMWA). RESULTS: At baseline NHB had significantly lower HMWA than NHW and H and exhibited a significantly smaller increase (17.3% vs. 33.7% vs. 29.9%, respectively) during the first 6 months overall. Increases in HMWA were associated with reductions in glycemic failure in the three racial/ethnic groups combined (hazard ratio 0.61, P < 0.0001) and in each race/ethnicity separately. Over time, HMWA was significantly lower in those who failed versus did not fail treatment, irrespective of race/ethnicity. There were no differences in treatment-associated temporal changes in insulin sensitivity, C-peptide index, and oDI among the three racial/ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: HMWA is a reliable biomarker of treatment response in youth with type 2 diabetes. The diminutive treatment-associated increase in HMWA in NHB (∼50% lower) compared with NHW and H may explain the observed racial/ethnic disparity with higher therapeutic failure rates in NHB in TODAY.

Clinical Features and Management of Non-HIV-Related Lipodystrophy in Children: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Lipodystrophy syndromes are characterized by generalized or partial absence of adipose tissue. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a systematic review to synthesize data on clinical and metabolic features of lipodystrophy (age at onset, < 18 years). DATA SOURCE: Sources included Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Non-Indexed Citations from inception through January 2016. STUDY SELECTION: Search terms included lipodystrophy, and age 0 to 18 years. Patients with unambiguous diagnosis of lipodystrophy were included. Lipodystrophy secondary to HIV treatment was excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS: We identified 1141 patients from 351 studies. Generalized fat loss involving face, neck, abdomen, thorax, and upper and lower limbs was explicitly reported in 65% to 93% of patients with congenital generalized lipodystrophy (CGL) and acquired generalized lipodystrophy (AGL). In familial partial lipodystrophy (FPL), fat loss occurred from upper and lower limbs, with sparing of face and neck. In acquired partial lipodystrophy (APL), upper limbs were involved while lower limbs were spared. Other features were prominent musculature, acromegaloid, acanthosis nigricans and hepatosplenomegaly. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 48% (n = 222) of patients with CGL (mean age at onset, 5.3 years). Hypertriglyceridemia was observed in CGL, AGL and FPL. Multiple interventions were used, with most patients receiving ≥ 3 interventions and being ≥ 18 years of age at the initiation of interventions. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the largest reported pooled database describing lipodystrophy patients with age at onset < 18 years. We have suggested core and supportive clinical features and summarized data on available interventions, outcomes and mortality.

Growth Hormone Research Society perspective on the development of long-acting growth hormone preparations.

OBJECTIVE: The Growth Hormone (GH) Research Society (GRS) convened a workshop to address important issues regarding trial design, efficacy, and safety of long-acting growth hormone preparations (LAGH). PARTICIPANTS: A closed meeting of 55 international scientists with expertise in GH, including pediatric and adult endocrinologists, basic scientists, regulatory scientists, and participants from the pharmaceutical industry. EVIDENCE: Current literature was reviewed for gaps in knowledge. Expert opinion was used to suggest studies required to address potential safety and efficacy issues. CONSENSUS PROCESS: Following plenary presentations summarizing the literature, breakout groups discussed questions framed by the planning committee. Attendees reconvened after each breakout session to share group reports. A writing team compiled the breakout session reports into a draft document that was discussed and revised in an open forum on the concluding day. This was edited further and then circulated to attendees from academic institutions for review after the meeting. Participants from pharmaceutical companies did not participate in the planning, writing, or in the discussions and text revision on the final day of the workshop. Scientists from industry and regulatory agencies reviewed the manuscript to identify any factual errors. CONCLUSIONS: LAGH compounds may represent an advance over daily GH injections because of increased convenience and differing phamacodynamic properties, providing the potential for improved adherence and outcomes. Better methods to assess adherence must be developed and validated. Long-term surveillance registries that include assessment of efficacy, cost-benefit, disease burden, quality of life, and safety are essential for understanding the impact of sustained exposure to LAGH preparations.