Favorable Effect of Pemafibrate on Insulin Resistance and ß-Cell Function in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertriglyceridemia: A Subanalysis of the PARM-T2D Study.

Pemafibrate, a novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor modulator, has beneficial effects on lipid metabolism. However, its effects on glucose metabolism in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remain to be fully clarified. This was a subanalysis of the PARM-T2D study, a multicenter prospective observational study on the use of pemafibrate versus conventional therapy for 52 weeks in subjects with T2DM complicated with hypertriglyceridemia. The subanalysis included participants who did not change their treatment for diabetes and did not receive insulin or insulin secretagogues during the study period. Changes in glucose metabolism markers, including homeostatic model assessment (HOMA2) scores and disposition index, were assessed. A total of 279 participants (141 in the pemafibrate group; 138 in the control group) met the criteria for the subanalysis. There were no significant changes in HbA1c during the 52-week study period in both groups. However, the pemafibrate group showed significant improvements versus the control group for insulin resistance assessed by HOMA2-R (-0.15 versus 0.08; estimated treatment difference -0.23 (95% confidence interval -0.44, -0.02); p = 0.03) and maintenance of ß-cell function assessed by disposition index (0.015 versus -0.023; estimated treatment difference 0.037 (95% confidence interval 0.005, 0.069); p = 0.02). Correlation analyses showed that improvements in HOMA2-R and disposition index were significantly associated with improvements in lipid abnormalities and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase. In conclusion, pemafibrate reduced insulin resistance and maintained ß-cell function in subjects with T2DM and hypertriglyceridemia, presumably by improving lipid profiles and lipid-related hepatocyte stress.

Nephroprotective Effects of Dapagliflozin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Objective This study analyzed changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate calculated using cystatin C (eGFRcys) and sodium excretion in the urine after administering dapagliflozin as an add-on therapy to conventional treatment for diabetes. Methods This was a single-center, single-group, prospective interventional study. Dapagliflozin was administered to improve the plasma glucose control in 30 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (age 53±8 years old; 66.6% men). Blood and urine tests were performed before and 6 and 12 months after dapagliflozin administration. The daily sodium excretion was estimated with the Kawasaki formula using second-morning urine samples. Results The eGFRcys did not markedly differ before and 6 months after the dapagliflozin administration but was significantly increased after 12 months (p<0.001), and the estimated daily sodium excretion was also significantly increased (p<0.001 at 6 months and p=0.002 at 12 months). The systolic and diastolic blood pressures tended to decrease after administration. The HbA1c level after the administration of dapagliflozin tended to be lower in the T3 group, showing the smallest increase in changes in the estimated daily sodium excretion from baseline to 6 months (28.2-107.5 mEq/day), than in the combined groups of T1 (219.5-110.1 mEq/day) and T2 (101.4-28.9 mEq/day). In contrast, the eGFRcys was significantly higher in the combined groups of T1 and T2 than that in the T3 group at both 6 and 12 months (p=0.031 and p=0.007, respectively). Conclusions Add-on therapy with dapagliflozin increased the urinary sodium excretion and decreased the blood pressure even in the early phase of this therapy. Our results suggest that dapagliflozin add-on therapy may exert nephroprotective effects in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The renoprotective effect of once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist dulaglutide on progression of nephropathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (JDDM67).

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Few studies have investigated the renoprotective effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study evaluated the effect of dulaglutide 0.75 mg on renal function in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD stage 3 to 4. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dulaglutide (group A) and non-dulaglutide (group B) were compared using data collected from a computerized diabetes care database. For group B, propensity score weighting based on propensity scores was performed. Evaluation items were a change from baseline in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), body weight, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), for 3 years. RESULTS: In total, the data obtained from 255 patients (125 and 130 patients for group A and B, respectively) were analyzed. Propensity score-adjusted patient background characteristics (group A vs B) were age 70.8 vs 69.4 years, body weight 70.2 vs 72.9 kg, body mass index 27.3 vs 28.1 kg/m2 , HbA1c 8.4 vs 8.5%, eGFR 47.9 vs 47.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 , and UACR 218 vs 251 mg/gCr. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the change from baseline between groups A and B at most time points in eGFR, a statistically significant eGFR decline in group B was observed in slope analysis for 3 years. This renoprotective effect was marked in patients with macro-albuminuria and/or concomitant SGLT2 inhibitor use. CONCLUSIONS: Dulaglutide slowed the eGFR decline in patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD stage 3 to 4.

A farewell to phlebotomy-use of placenta-derived drugs Laennec and Porcine for improving hereditary hemochromatosis without phlebotomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Human hepcidin, produced by hepatocytes, regulates intestinal iron absorption, iron recycling by macrophages, and iron release from hepatic storage. Recent studies indicate that hepcidin deficiency is the underlying cause of the most known form of hereditary hemochromatosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 44-year-old Asian man who developed type 2 diabetes mellitus had elevated serum ferritin levels (10,191 ng/mL). Liver biopsy revealed remarkable iron deposition in the hepatocytes and relatively advanced fibrosis (F3). Chromosomal analysis confirmed the presence of transferrin receptor type 2 mutations (c.1100T>G, c.2008_9delAC, hereditary hemochromatosis type 3 analyzed by Kawabata). The patient received intravenous infusions of Laennec (672 mg/day, three times/week) or oral administration with Porcine (3.87 g/day) for 84 months as an alternative to repeated phlebotomy. At the end of the treatment period, serum ferritin level decreased to 428.4 ng/mL (below the baseline level of 536.8 ng/mL). Hemoglobin A1c levels also improved after treatment with the same or lower dose of insulin (8.8% before versus 6.8% after). Plural liver biopsies revealed remarkable improvements in the grade of iron deposition and fibrosis (F3 before versus F1 after) of the liver tissue. CONCLUSION: The discovery of hepcidin and its role in iron metabolism could lead to novel therapies for hereditary hemochromatosis. Laennec (parenteral) and Porcine (oral), which act as hepcidin inducers, actually improved iron overload in this hereditary hemochromatosis patient, without utilizing sequential phlebotomy. This suggests the possibility of not only improving the prognosis of hereditary hemochromatosis (types 1, 2, and 3) but also ameliorating complications, such as type 2 diabetes, liver fibrosis, and hypogonadism. Laennec and Porcine can completely replace continuous venesection in patients with venesection and may improve other iron-overloading disorders caused by hepcidin deficiency.

Association between 25 Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Lipid Profiles in Japanese with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Low 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are closely associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D deficiency is more common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in the general population. In addition, vitamin D status is lower in patients with the metabolic syndrome than in those without the syndrome. Therefore, we examined the association between lipid profiles and 25(OH)D levels. In this case control study, 285 type 2 diabetic patients who attended the Manda Memorial Hospital from March to October 2017 were selected and 25(OH)D, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride (TG) levels, were obtained. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the association between 25(OH)D concentrations and TG levels was statistically significant (p<0.01) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, estimated glomerular flow rate (eGFR), insulin use, duration of diabetes mellitus, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), alcohol consumption, current smoking, and sampling timing. The serum 25(OH)D level was inversely associated with the TG level after the adjustment for the characteristics of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Pemafibrate Therapy for Hypertriglyceridemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Pemafibrate is a potent selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) modulator that may be safer than conventional PPARα agonists in the treatment of dyslipidemia. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of low-dose pemafibrate (0.1 mg/day) therapy for hypertriglyceridemia in 31 patients with type 2 diabetes and high triglyceride (TG) levels at the Manda Memorial Hospital. METHODS: TG, remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein (Apo) AI, Apo AII, Apo B, Apo CII, Apo CIII, and Apo E levels were evaluated. Liver, kidney, and muscle toxicity tests were also performed. Pemafibrate (0.1 mg) was administered once daily. RESULTS: This treatment significantly decreased TG, RLP-C, Apo CII, Apo CIII, and Apo E levels while significantly increasing HDL-C, Apo AI, and Apo AII levels. No significant changes were observed in LDL-C and Apo B levels. There were no significant liver-, kidney-, or muscle-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that low-dose pemafibrate administration improves the lipid profile in Japanese patients with hypertriglyceridemia and type 2 diabetes.

Switching to Once-Daily Insulin Degludec/Insulin Aspart from Basal Insulin Improves Postprandial Glycemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: To explore the efficacy and safety of switching from once-daily basal insulin therapy to once-daily pre-meal injection insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) with respect to the glycemic control of participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: In this multicenter, open-label, prospective, randomized, parallel-group comparison trial, participants on basal insulin therapy were switched to IDegAsp (IDegAsp group; n=30) or continued basal insulin (Basal group; n=29). The primary endpoint was the superiority of IDegAsp in causing changes in the daily blood glucose profile, especially post-prandial blood glucose concentration after 12 weeks. RESULTS: Blood glucose concentrations after dinner and before bedtime were lower in the IDegAsp group, and the improvement in blood glucose before bedtime was significantly greater in the IDegAsp group than in the Basal group at 12 weeks (-1.7±3.0 mmol/L vs. 0.3±2.1 mmol/L, P<0.05). Intriguingly, glycemic control after breakfast was not improved by IDegAsp injection before breakfast, in contrast to the favorable effect of injection before dinner on blood glucose after dinner. Glycosylated hemoglobin significantly decreased only in the IDegAsp group (58 to 55 mmol/mol, P<0.05). Changes in daily insulin dose, body mass, and recorded adverse effects, including hypoglycemia, were comparable between groups. CONCLUSION: IDegAsp was more effective than basal insulin at reducing blood glucose after dinner and before bedtime, but did not increase the incidence of hypoglycemia. Switching from basal insulin to IDegAsp does not increase the burden on the patient and positively impacts glycemic control in patients with T2DM.

Favourable effect of the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor canagliflozin plus the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor teneligliptin in combination on glycaemic fluctuation: An open-label, prospective, randomized, parallel-group comparison trial (the CALMER study).

This multicentre, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, parallel-group, short-term (4-5 weeks) controlled trial was conducted to investigate the superiority of the effect of reducing mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions (MAGE) during meal tolerance tests (MTTs) for the combination of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor compared with SGLT2 inhibitor monotherapy. Ninety-nine patients with type 2 diabetes who were taking teneligliptin (20 mg/d) were randomized to one of the following two groups: those who switched to 100 mg/d of canagliflozin (SWITCH group) or those who added 100 mg/d of canagliflozin (COMB group). MAGE in the COMB group was significantly decreased compared with that in the SWITCH group (COMB 117.5 ± 39.8 to 92.2 ± 28.0 mg/dL vs SWITCH 110.7 ± 29.8 to 104.2 ± 27.6 mg/dL; P<0.01). Mean blood glucose decreased significantly during MTTs in both groups, although the extent of the reduction was significantly greater in the COMB group (COMB 142.3 ± 28.7 to 119.5 ± 25.1 mg/dL vs SWITCH 146.4 ± 25.5 to 135.5 ± 22.4 mg/dL; P < 0.01). SGLT2 inhibitor combined with DPP-4 inhibitor therapy strongly reduced glycaemic fluctuation compared with SGLT2 inhibitor monotherapy.

Effect of switching from pioglitazone to the sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor dapagliflozin on body weight and metabolism-related factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An open-label, prospective, randomized, parallel-group comparison trial.

The effects of dapagliflozin (DAP) and pioglitazone (PIO) on body weight and glycaemic control were compared in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Seventy-one patients on PIO were either switched to DAP (n = 36) at 5 mg per day or continued on PIO (n = 35). Primary endpoints were superiority of body weight loss and non-inferiority of HbA1c level after 24 weeks with DAP. Body weight decrease was greater with DAP than with PIO (75.3 ± 14.9 to 71.3 ± 15.1 kg vs. 74.7 ± 13.8 to 75.2 ± 13.9 kg; P < 0.01). Change in the HbA1c level was comparable (P = 0.64). The level of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and urinary albumin : creatinine ratio (ACR) decreased only with DAP (NT-proBNP, P < 0.01; ACR, P = 0.02), and the change in NT-proBNP correlated negatively with baseline NT-proBNP level (ρ = -0.68, P < 0.01) and log-converted ACR (ρ = -0.35, P < 0.05). DAP promotes body weight loss in type 2 diabetes mellitus and may decrease fluid retention, thus reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular events.

Should sulfonylurea be discontinued or maintained at the lowest dose when starting ipragliflozin? A multicenter observational study in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: We investigated the difference in efficacy and safety between discontinuation and maintaining of sulfonylurea when adding a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present multicenter, prospective observational study, 200 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sulfonylurea and with a need to add ipragliflozin were enrolled and divided into two groups: discontinued sulfonylurea (Discontinuation group) or maintained sulfonylurea, but at the lowest dose (Low-dose group) when adding ipragliflozin. We compared the two groups after 24 weeks using propensity score matching to adjust for differences between the groups. RESULTS: In the matched cohort (58 patients in each group), baseline characteristics of both groups were balanced. The primary outcome of the proportion of patients with non-exacerbation in glycated hemoglobin after 24 weeks was 91.4% in the Low-dose group and 75.9% in the Discontinuation group, a significant difference (P = 0.024). However, bodyweight was significantly decreased in the Discontinuation group compared with the Low-dose group (-4.4 ± 2.1 kg vs -2.9 ± 1.9 kg, P < 0.01). Similarly, liver enzyme improvement was more predominant in the Discontinuation group. A logistic regression analysis showed that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, age and sulfonylurea dose were independent factors associated with non-exacerbation of glycated hemoglobin in the Discontinuation group. CONCLUSIONS: The purpose of using ipragliflozin should be considered when making the decision to discontinue or maintain sulfonylurea at the lowest dose. Furthermore, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, low dose of sulfonylurea and younger age were possible markers to not show worsening of glycemic control by discontinuing sulfonylurea.

Improvement in treatment satisfaction after switching from liraglutide to dulaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: We compared treatment satisfaction in type 2 diabetes patients taking daily and weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a 12-week, multicenter, open-label, prospective, randomized, parallel-group comparison trial. The participants were Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes being administered with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, daily for >3 months. Patients were randomly assigned to either continue taking liraglutide once daily (Lira group) or switch to dulaglutide once weekly (Dula group). The primary outcome was the change in the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire score from baseline to week 12 in the two groups. The secondary outcomes comprised changes in the Diabetes Therapy-Related Quality of Life score, body mass and glycemic control. RESULTS: A total of 33 participants were initially enrolled in the trial, and 31 participants completed the protocol. The change in the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire score in the Dula group was significantly greater than that in the Lira group (+0.1 ± 4.7 in the Lira group vs +4.9 ± 5.2 in the Dula group; P = 0.013). The change in Diabetes Therapy-Related Quality of Life score in the Dula group was significantly greater than that in the Lira group (-3.7 ± 6.9 vs +8.9 ± 15.1; P = 0.007). There were no significant differences between groups in the changes in body mass, plasma glucose or glycated hemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly administration of dulaglutide was superior to liraglutide with regard to treatment satisfaction in patients with type 2 diabetes, in the absence of any negative effect on glycemic control.

Reduction in glucose fluctuations in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes using repaglinide: A randomized controlled trial of repaglinide vs sulfonylurea.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Glinides are antidiabetic drugs that enhance the early phase of insulin secretion, but have been considered to be less effective at lowering blood glucose than sulfonylureas. However, glinides show a lower risk of hypoglycemia and a greater effect on postprandial hyperglycemia, and are particularly recommended for use in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. We investigated the efficacy and safety of repaglinide compared with sulfonylurea for the treatment of elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, controlled trial, 57 elderly lean patients with type 2 diabetes who were being treated with sulfonylureas were studied. They were either switched to repaglinide (Repa group) or continued a sulfonylurea (SU group) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome comprised the change in glycemic control, and among the secondary outcomes was the presence of hypoglycemia and drug compliance. RESULTS: Although glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was not significantly different between the two groups (SU +0.02% vs Repa -0.07%), greater improvements in the glycated albumin (GA) and GA to HbA1c ratio (GA/HbA1c) were observed in the Repa group (ΔGA, SU +0.12% vs Repa -1.15%; ΔGA/HbA1c, SU +0.01 vs Repa -0.13; each P < 0.01) without increasing hypoglycemia. When the Repa group was subdivided according to whether GA improved, the SU dose before switching to repaglinide was significantly smaller and the homeostatic model assessment of ß-cell function was significantly higher in the GA improvement subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Switching from SU to Repa improved GA and GA/HbA1c, and had favorable effects on glucose fluctuation in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Satisfaction and efficacy of switching from daily dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors to weekly trelagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes-Randomized controlled study.

We compared treatment satisfaction between daily dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and a weekly DPP-4 inhibitor in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was a 12-week, open-label, randomized, multicenter, controlled trial. Participants were Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who had received daily DPP-4 inhibitors for more than 3 months. Patients were randomly assigned to a treatment cohort: (1) a group that continued taking daily DPP-4 inhibitors (daily group); or (2) a group that switched from daily DPP-4 inhibitors to a weekly DPP-4 inhibitor, trelagliptin (weekly group). The primary outcome was the change in treatment satisfaction levels from baseline to 12 weeks between the two groups, according to Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) and Diabetes Therapy-Related Quality of Life (DTR-QOL) questionnaire scores. The changes in glycemic control and body weight were also assessed. Of 49 patients initially enrolled in the study, 47 completed the study. The change in DTSQ scores in the weekly group was not significantly different from that in the daily group. However, the improvements in total score and subscale domains 1 and 2 in the DTR-QOL analysis, which relate to burden on social/daily activities and anxiety/dissatisfaction with treatment, were significantly greater in the weekly group than the daily group (p = 0.048, 0.013 and 0.045, respectively). Mean changes in glycated hemoglobin levels and body weight were comparable between the groups. Switching from daily DPP-4 inhibitors to a weekly DPP-4 inhibitor, trelagliptin, could partially improve treatment satisfaction levels in patients with type 2 diabetes without affecting glycemic control.

The effects of vildagliptin compared with metformin on vascular endothelial function and metabolic parameters: a randomized, controlled trial (Sapporo Athero-Incretin Study 3).

BACKGROUND: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors may have protective effects in the early stage of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes, although similar effects in advanced atherosclerosis were not shown in recent randomized placebo-controlled studies. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of DPP-4 inhibitor on endothelial function and glycemic metabolism compared with high-dose metformin. METHODS: In this multicenter, open-labeled, prospective, randomized, parallel-group comparison study, patients with type 2 diabetes treated with low-dose metformin (500-750 mg/day) were enrolled and randomly assigned to a vildagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, add-on group (Vilda) or a double dose of metformin group (high Met) for 12 weeks. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and serum metabolic markers were assessed before and after treatment. In addition, glycemic control and metabolic parameters were also assessed. RESULTS: Ninety-seven subjects (aged 58.7 ± 11.0 years; body mass index, 25.9 ± 4.4 kg/m2; HbA1c, 7.3 ± 0.5%; FMD, 5.8 ± 2.6%) were enrolled. Eight subjects dropped out by the end of the study. There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline characteristics. After 12 weeks, HbA1c was significantly improved in the Vilda group compared with the high Met group (- 0.80 ± 0.38% vs. - 0.40 ± 0.47%, respectively; p < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences in FMD (- 0.51 [- 1.08-0.06]% vs. - 0.58 [- 1.20-0.04]%). Although the apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio was significantly reduced in the Vilda group compared with baseline (0.66-0.62; p < 0.01), the change did not differ significantly between the two groups (- 0.04 vs. 0.00; p = 0.27). Adiponectin levels were significantly increased in the Vilda group compared with the high Met group (0.75 µg/mL vs. 0.01 µg/mL; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of glycemic improvement, combination therapy of vildagliptin and metformin did not affect endothelial function but may exert favorable effects on adipokine levels and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes without advanced atherosclerosis.

Ultrasonography Improves Glycemic Control by Detecting Insulin-Derived Localized Amyloidosis.

We examined the feasibility of ultrasound diagnosis of insulin-derived localized amyloidosis (IDLA). In addition to ultrasound detectability and findings, the insulin absorption rate, insulin dosage and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels before and after shifting the insulin injection site were investigated for 22 cases of IDLA. The detectability of IDLA on ultrasound was 100%; 59.1% was palpable lumps and 40.9% was not palpable. The palpable type had lower echo intensity and were harder than the non-palpable type. Blood flow decreased in IDLA, especially in the palpable type. IDLA, especially the palpable type, had a low insulin absorption rate. HbA1c level and insulin dosage decreased after shifting the injection site. The palpable type had more insulin reduction than the non-palpable type. Characteristic ultrasound images of IDLA were acquired. As the non-palpable type could be identified by ultrasound, its diagnosis encourages changing the insulin injection site; hence, ultrasound diagnosis of IDLA can enhance insulin treatment.

Localized Subcutaneous Insulin-Derived Amyloidosis Excised after Evaluation Using Ultrasonography in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

A 62-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who had been on insulin therapy for the past 20 years, was found to have subcutaneous mass formation in the abdomen during a workup of worsened glycemic control. Because of suspected amyloid deposition, he was advised to avoid injections to the mass, which led to improvement of glycemic control. However, he strongly requested mass excision and was hospitalized. After evaluation using ultrasonography and computed tomography, a total mass excision was performed, and a diagnosis of insulin-derived amyloidosis was made. Comparison of the ultrasonographic and histopathological findings demonstrated that the location of the amyloid deposition nearly corresponded to the hypoechoic region. This case highlights that ultrasonography, which is a noninvasive imaging modality, can be useful for detection of insulin-derived amyloidosis.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effects of Sitagliptin and Glimepiride on Endothelial Function and Metabolic Parameters: Sapporo Athero-Incretin Study 1 (SAIS1).

OBJECTIVES: The DPP-4 inhibitors are incretin-related drugs that improve hyperglycemia in a glucose-dependent manner and have been reported to exert favorable effects on atherosclerosis. However, it has not been fully elucidated whether DPP-4 inhibitors are able to improve endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, on endothelial function and glycemic metabolism compared with that of the sulfonylurea glimepiride. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter, prospective, randomized parallel-group comparison study, 103 outpatients with type 2 diabetes (aged 59.9 ± 9.9 years with HbA1c levels of 7.5 ± 0.4%) with dietary cure only and/or current metformin treatment were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive sitagliptin or glimepiride therapy once daily for 26 weeks. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a comprehensive panel of hemodynamic parameters (Task Force® Monitor), and serum metabolic markers were assessed before and after the treatment. RESULTS: During the study period, no statistically significant change in %FMD was seen in both groups (sitagliptin, 5.6 to 5.6%; glimepiride, 5.6 to 6.0%). Secretory units of islets in transplantation, TNF-α, adiponectin and biological antioxidant potential significantly improved in the sitagliptin group, and superoxide dismutase also tended to improve in the sitagliptin group, while improvements in HbA1c levels were similar between groups. Cardiac index, blood pressure and most other metabolic parameters were not different. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of glycemic improvement, early sitagliptin therapy did not affect endothelial function but may provide favorable effects on beta-cell function and on inflammatory and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes without advanced atherosclerosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry System UMIN 000004955.

Relationship between the efficacy of oral antidiabetic drugs and clinical features in type 2 diabetic patients (JDDM38).

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: We carried out an observational cohort study to examine the relationship between the efficacy of oral antidiabetic drugs and clinical features in type 2 diabetics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the CoDiC(®) database of the Japan Diabetes Data Management Study Group across 67 institutions in Japan. In a total of 3,698 drug-naïve patients who were initiated with metformin, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) or sulfonylurea (SU) from 2007 to 2012, we evaluated body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The patients were stratified according to their clinical features, and matched using a propensity score to adjust for baseline factors. RESULTS: HbA1c was reduced with all drugs, with the largest effect elicited by DPP-4i and the smallest by SU (P = 0.00). HbA1c increased with SU after 6 months in the patients stratified by an age-of-onset of <50 years (P = 0.00). BMI increased with SU in the patients stratified by a BMI of <25 (P = 0.00), and decreased with metformin in the patients with a BMI >25 (P = 0.00). The reduction in HbA1c was larger in patients with HbA1c of ≥8%, compared with that in patients with HbA1c of <8% (P = 0.00). HbA1c during the study period was higher in patients who were added to or swapped with other drug(s), than in patients continued on the original drug (P = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: The effect on bodyweight and glycemic control differed among metformin, DPP-4i and SU, and the difference was associated with clinical features.

A Comparison of the Effects of the GLP-1 Analogue Liraglutide and Insulin Glargine on Endothelial Function and Metabolic Parameters: A Randomized, Controlled Trial Sapporo Athero-Incretin Study 2 (SAIS2).

OBJECTIVES: GLP-1 improves hyperglycemia, and it has been reported to have favorable effects on atherosclerosis. However, it has not been fully elucidated whether GLP-1 is able to improve endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of the GLP-1 analogue, liraglutide on endothelial function and glycemic metabolism compared with insulin glargine therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter, prospective randomized parallel-group comparison study, 31 diabetic outpatients (aged 60.3 ± 10.3 years with HbA1c levels of 8.6 ± 0.8%) with current metformin and/or sulfonylurea treatment were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive liraglutide or glargine therapy once daily for 14 weeks. Flow mediated dilation (FMD), a comprehensive panel of hemodynamic parameters (Task Force Monitor), and serum metabolic markers were assessed before and after the treatment period. RESULTS: A greater reduction (worsening) in %FMD was observed in the glargine group, although this change was not statistically different from the liraglutide group (liraglutide; 5.7 to 5.4%, glargine 6.7 to 5.7%). The augmentation index, C-peptide index, derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites and BMI were significantly improved in the liraglutide group. Central systolic blood pressure and NT-proBNP also tended to be improved in the liraglutide-treated group, while improvements in HbA1c levels were similar between groups. Cardiac index, blood pressure and most other metabolic parameters were not different. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of glycemic improvement, early liraglutide therapy did not affect endothelial function but may provide favorable effects on beta-cell function and cardioprotection in type 2 diabetics without advanced atherosclerosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry System as trial ID UMIN000005331.