SHORT-TERM SITAGLIPTIN-METFORMIN THERAPY IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN METFORMIN OR PLACEBO IN PRIOR GESTATIONAL DIABETIC WOMEN WITH IMPAIRED GLUCOSE REGULATION.

OBJECTIVE: Our pilot study examined the effectiveness of sitagliptin-metformin (SITA-MET), metformin (MET), and placebo (P) therapy on fasting and post-glucose challenge glucose levels in postpartum women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and impaired glucose regulation. METHODS: Prediabetic women (N = 36, age 18 to 42 years) with recent GDM were randomized to P (one pill twice a day), MET (1,000 mg twice a day), or SITA-MET (50 mg SITA, 1,000 mg MET twice a day) for 16 weeks in a single-blind fashion. An individualized diet and exercise plan were provided to all participants. At baseline and 16 weeks, oral glucose tolerance tests were performed to assess glycemia, mean blood glucose (MBG), and calculate insulin sensitivity (IS) and secretion (SI) indexes. Lipid profile, thyroid-stimulating hormone level, and pregnancy test were performed in the baseline sample. RESULTS: Thirty-three (92%) participants completed the study. At study end, 15 participants had normal glycemia (SITA-MET vs. MET, P; P = .035). MBG, IS, IS-SI index, and waist to height ratio were significantly improved with SITA-MET compared with MET and P treatment. SITAMET therapy was more effective in lowering body mass index and waist circumference compared to P treatment. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study is the first to evaluate the use of a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor combined with MET in glucose-impaired women with a history of GDM. In this investigation, combination SITA-MET was found to be superior to MET and P in improving glycemia and metabolic measures in this prediabetic population. ABBREVIATIONS: BID = twice a day; BMI = body mass index; BP = blood pressure; BW = body weight; CHOL = cholesterol; DI = disposition index; DM = diabetes mellitus; DPP-4i = dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor; FBG = fasting blood glucose; GDM = gestational diabetes mellitus; GLP-1 = glucagon-like peptide 1; HDL-C = high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol; HOMA-IR = homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; IGI = insulinogenic index; IGR = impaired glucose regulation; IGT = impaired glucose tolerance; IR = insulin resistance; IS = insulin sensitivity; LDL-C = low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol; MBG = mean blood glucose; MET = metformin; OGTT = oral glucose tolerance test; P = placebo; SI = insulin secretion; SIOGTT = Matsuda's insulin sensitivity index; TRG = triglycerides; WC = waist circumference; WHR = waist to hip ratio; WHtR = waist to height ratio.

Liraglutide 3 mg on weight, body composition, and hormonal and metabolic parameters in women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized placebo-controlled-phase 3 study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of the GLP-1 analog liraglutide 3 mg (LIRA 3 mg) vs. placebo (PL) for reduction of body weight (BW) and hyperandrogenism in women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Hospital-based outpatient endocrine and metabolic center. PATIENT(S): Women diagnosed with PCOS (NIH criteria) were randomly assigned to LIRA 3 mg (n = 55) or PL (n = 27) once daily for 32 weeks with lifestyle intervention. INTERVENTION(S): Study visits at baseline and 32 weeks included BW and body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Oral glucose tolerance tests were done with sex steroids, free androgen index (FAI), and lipids measured in the fasting sample. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary end points were changes in BW and FAI. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of the study drug. RESULT(S): Change in BW from baseline to week 32 was -5.7% (±0.75) with LIRA 3 mg vs. -1.4% (±1.09) with PL. At week 32, more participants on LIRA 3 mg than on PL achieved at least 5% weight reductions (25 of 44 vs. 5 of 23). Free androgen index significantly reduced with LIRA 3 mg compared with the PL where the mean FAI slightly increased. Gastrointestinal events, which were mostly mild to moderate, were reported in 58.2% of the LIRA 3 mg-subjects and 18.5% of PL subjects. CONCLUSION(S): LIRA 3 mg once daily appears superior to PL in reducing BW and androgenicity and improving cardiometabolic parameters in women with PCOS and obesity. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03480022.

Postpartum treatment with liraglutide in combination with metformin versus metformin monotherapy to improve metabolic status and reduce body weight in overweight/obese women with recent gestational diabetes: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes (GDM) imparts a high risk of developing diabetes postpartum. Insulin resistance appears to be the major contributor. Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue, improves peripheral glucose disposal and reduces body weight. We evaluated whether liraglutide in combination with metformin (MET-LIRA) is more effective than metformin monotherapy (MET-P) in improving insulin action and reducing body weight in overweight prior GDM (pGDM) women. METHODS: Women (n = 153; body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2; 18-45 y; GDM within 12 months) with metabolic abnormalities were randomized to MET-LIRA (MET-2000 mg, LIRA 1.8 mg SC QD) or MET-P (MET-2000 mg, Placebo QD). Study visits at baseline, 36-40, 56-60 and 80-84 weeks included body weight (BW), BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio measures. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) were performed to assess glycemia, mean blood glucose (MBG), lipids, and compute insulin sensitivity and secretion measures. FINDINGS: Seventy-two (47%) participants completed the study. MET-LIRA therapy was significantly better in improving MBG and insulin sensitivity indices [SIOGTT MET-LIRA from 4.6 (3.2) to 5.9 (2.9) vs. MET-P 5.5 (3.0) to 5.4 (3.2)] and reducing BW and central adiposity [BMI MET-LIRA from 37.2 (8.3) to 33.8 (5.2) vs MET-P 33.8(5.2) to 32.8(6)]. MET-LIRA therapy but not MET-P decreased triglycerides (TRG) and TRG/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratios. INTERPRETATION: MET-LIRA treatment demonstrated superior efficacy in correcting the metabolic status of pGDM women over 84 weeks of therapy. The addition of liraglutide to metformin therapy resulted in a more dramatic decrease in BW and central adiposity than metformin alone. FUNDATION: Supported by an unrestricted investigator initiated grant from Novo Nordisk, Inc. awarded to K.E.H. MEETING PRESENTATION: The results from preliminary analyses of this study were presented at 76th meeting of the American Diabetes Association, June 10-14, 2016 New Orleans, LA, and 77th meeting of the American Diabetes Association, June 9-12, 2017San Diego, CA.