Reduction in hsCRP levels is associated with decreased incidence of cardiovascular events in Japanese hypertensive women but not in men.

To test our hypothesis that the magnitude of reduction in hsCRP achieved by antihypertensive medications may predict the benefit for cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive individuals, we performed subanalysis of the ATTEMPT-CVD study. The hypertensive participants enrolled in the ATTMEPT-CVD study were categorized into two groups according to whether achieved reduction in hsCRP levels at 6 months after initiation of antihypertensive medications from baseline was equal to or greater than 40% (responder group) or less than 40% (non-responder group). Baseline characteristics and blood pressure during follow-up period were similar between the groups. For women, the incidence of cardiovascular events was significantly less in responder group than non-responder group (P < 0.0221). However, for men, there was no significant difference between the groups regarding incident cardiovascular events (P = 0.2434). There was a significant interaction (P = 0.0187) between sexes for incident cardiovascular events. Our results provide the evidence suggesting that substantial reduction (40% or greater reduction) in hsCRP on antihypertensive medication predicts the benefit for cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive women but it does not in hypertensive men. The magnitude of achieved reduction in hsCRP by antihypertensive medications seems to be a useful indicator of successful treatment in Japanese hypertensive women.This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01075698.

Total adiponectin is associated with incident cardiovascular and renal events in treated hypertensive patients: subanalysis of the ATTEMPT-CVD randomized trial.

The predictive value of serum adiponectin for hypertensive cardiovascular outcomes is unknown. This study was performed to investigate the association of adiponectin with incident cardiovascular and renal events (CV events) in hypertensive patients. We performed post-hoc analysis on 1,228 hypertensive patients enrolled in the ATTEMPT-CVD study, a prospective randomized study comparing the effects of two antihypertensive therapies. The participants were divided into quartiles of baseline serum total adiponectin or high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to determine the prognostic factors associated with CV events. Kaplan-Meier analysis for CV events by quartiles of baseline total adiponectin showed that patients in the highest total adiponectin quartile (Q4) had more CV events (P = 0.0135). On the other hand, no significant difference was noted regarding the incidence of CV events among patients stratified by HMW adiponectin quartile (P = 0.2551). Even after adjustment for potential confounders, the highest total adiponectin quartile (Q4) remained independently associated with incident CV events in hypertensive patients (HR = 1.949: 95%CI 1.051-3.612; P = 0.0341). These results showed that total adiponectin, but not HMW adiponectin, was independently associated with the incidence of CV events in treated hypertensive patients, thereby highlighting total adiponectin as a valuable predictor for hypertensive cardiovascular outcomes.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of once-daily insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) and long-acting second-generation basal insulin (insulin degludec and insulin glargine 300 units/mL) in insulin-naïve Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes: a pilot, randomized, controlled study.

To examine the efficacy and safety of once-daily insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) or once-daily second-generation basal insulin analogs (insulin degludec and insulin glargine 300 units/mL) in insulin-naïve Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes in routine clinical practice. A 12-week multicenter, open-label, randomized, pilot study was performed in 52 subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). Subjects were randomized to once-daily IDegAsp (n = 26) or basal insulin (n = 26). The primary endpoint was percent change in HbA1c from baseline to week 12. Furthermore, it was analyzed post hoc in subgroups stratified by baseline HbA1c. During a follow-up period, percent change in HbA1c was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.161). Daily insulin doses and frequency of overall hypoglycemia were also similar in the two groups. In post hoc analyses, once-daily basal insulin was more effective than IDegAsp in subjects with HbA1c more than or equal to 8.5% (p < 0.05); however, in subjects with HbA1c less than 8.5%, once-daily IDegAsp showed a significant improvement in percent change in HbA1c at week 12, compared with basal insulin (p < 0.01). Although there was no apparent difference in the HbA1c-lowering effects between two groups, when compared in subjects with HbA1c less than 8.5%, once-daily IDegAsp showed a significant effect in comparison with once-daily basal insulin. These findings suggest that the baseline HbA1c level might provide the important information for choosing IDegAsp or basal insulin in patients insufficiently controlled with OADs. This trial was registered with UMIN (no. UMIN000035431).

Anemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and renal events in hypertensive outpatients with well-controlled blood pressure: a subgroup analysis of the ATTEMPT-CVD randomized trial.

To investigate whether anemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and renal events in hypertensive outpatients, we performed a subgroup analysis of the ATTEMPT-CVD study based on baseline hemoglobin. The ATTEMPT-CVD study was a multicenter, prospective, randomized study of hypertensive outpatients that compared the efficacy of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)-based antihypertensive treatment with non-ARB antihypertensive treatment over 3 years. In the present subanalysis, ATTEMPT-CVD study participants (n = 1213) were categorized into the anemic group and nonanemic group according to their baseline hemoglobin. We compared the anemic and nonanemic groups mainly in regard to the incidence of cardiovascular and renal events and blood pressure. We also performed a multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis to determine the prognostic factors that were independently associated with cardiovascular and renal events. Of the 1213 patients enrolled in the ATTEMPT-CVD, 194 patients had anemia (mostly mild anemia) and 1019 patients did not. Blood pressure was well-controlled during the 3 years of antihypertensive therapy in both the anemic and nonanemic groups. However, the incidence of cardiovascular and renal events was significantly greater in the anemic group than in the nonanemic group (HR = 1.945: 95%CI 1.208-3.130; P = 0.0062). Even after adjustment, anemia was independently associated with cardiovascular and renal events (HR = 1.816: 95%CI 1.116-2.955; P = 0.0163) in overall hypertensive patients with well-controlled blood pressure. Anemia, even mild anemia, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and renal events in hypertensive outpatients whose blood pressure is well-controlled. Thus, anemia may be a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular and renal diseases in hypertensive outpatients with anemia.

Cardiovascular and renal protective role of angiotensin blockade in hypertension with advanced CKD: a subgroup analysis of ATTEMPT-CVD randomized trial.

The ATTEMPT-CVD study was prospective randomized active-controlled trial and the main findings had been reported. According to baseline GFR and albuminuria categories, we divided the patients of the ATTEMPT-CVD study into 2 subgroups: (Group 1) the patients with at least one of eGFR of <45 ml/min per 1.73 m2 and UACR of ≥300 mg/g creatinine, defined as G3b and/or A3; (Group 2) the patients except for Group 1, defined as the other patients. In patients with G3b and/or A3, the incidence of cardiovascular events was significantly less in ARB group than in non-ARB group (11 vs 22, respectively) (HR = 0.465: 95%CI = 0.224-0.965; P = 0.040). UACR was significantly less in ARB group than in non-ARB group during follow-up period in patients with G3b and/or A3 (P = 0.0003), while eGFR, plasma BNP levels, and blood pressure were comparable between ARB and non-ARB groups. Allocation to ARB therapy was a significant independent prognostic factor for cardiovascular events in patients with G3b and/or A3 (P = 0.0268). On the other hand, in the other patients, the occurrence of cardiovascular events was comparable between ARB and non-ARB groups. In patients with advanced CKD, ARB-based therapy may confer greater benefit in prevention of cardiovascular events than non-ARB therapy.

A 1-year, prospective, observational study of Japanese outpatients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes switching from insulin glargine or detemir to insulin degludec in basal-bolus insulin therapy (Kumamoto Insulin Degludec Observational study).

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present prospective observational study was to assess long-term efficacy and safety of insulin degludec as a part of a basal-bolus therapy for Japanese patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in routine clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 93 type 1 diabetes patients and 135 type 2 diabetes patients treated with insulin glargine or detemir were switched from their basal insulin to insulin degludec. The primary end-points were the changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline at 3, 6 and 12 months. The secondary end-points were changes in body mass index, insulin dose, frequency of hypoglycemia and adverse events. RESULTS: HbA1c levels from baseline were significantly reduced at 3, 6, and 12 months by 0.4, 0.4 and 0.3% in type 1 diabetes patients, respectively, and by 0.5, 0.5 and 0.3% in type 2 diabetes patients, respectively. Body mass index in type 1 diabetes patients increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas that in type 2 diabetes patients did not change. Basal insulin dose decreased significantly at 3 months after switching (P < 0.05), and returned baseline dose at 12 months in type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes patients. The frequency of both total and nocturnal hypoglycemia decreased significantly in type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes patients (P < 0.05). The result of multiple regression analysis showed that baseline HbA1c was a significant independent variable of the percentage change in HbA1c with switching. CONCLUSION: In both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes patients, switching from insulin glargine or insulin detemir to insulin degludec led to improvement of glycemic control with a significant reduction of hypoglycemia.

A trial of telmisartan prevention of cardiovascular diseases (ATTEMPT-CVD): Biomarker study.

AIMS: A trial of telmisartan prevention of cardiovascular disease (ATTEMPT-CVD) was performed to compare the effects of angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) therapy and those of non-ARB standard therapy on biomarker level changes and the incidence of cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel-group, comparative study, the effects of ARB therapy and those of non-ARB standard therapy on urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level changes were investigated for three years from the start of antihypertensive treatment as the primary endpoints. The incidences of cardiovascular composite events were compared between the two groups, and the relationship between the incidence of the events and biomarker changes were investigated as secondary endpoints. The study started with 615 patients in the ARB group and 613 patients in the non-ARB group. The ARB group had a significant effect on UACR and plasma BNP level changes compared with the non-ARB group. Fewer cardiovascular events occurred in the ARB group, but the difference was not statistically significant. UACR and plasma BNP levels at baseline were associated with cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: This study provided the first evidence that ARB treatment caused a smaller increase in plasma BNP and a greater decrease in UACR than non-ARB treatment, independently of blood pressure control, and gives a novel insight into the significance of BNP and UACR as predictors of cardiovascular and renal risk on antihypertensive treatment.

Insulin requirement profiles in Japanese hospitalized subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with basal-bolus insulin therapy.

To assess the total daily inulin dose (TDD) and contribution of basal insulin to TDD and to identify the predictive factors for insulin requirement profiles in subjects with type 2 diabetes, we retrospectively examined insulin requirement profiles of 275 hospitalized subjects treated with basal-bolus insulin therapy (BBT) (mean age, 60.1 ± 12.9 years; HbA1c, 10.2 ± 4.5%). Target plasma glucose level was set between 80 and 129 mg/dL before breakfast and between 80 and 179 mg/dL at 2-hour after each meal without causing hypoglycemia. We also analyzed the relationship between the insulin requirement profiles (TDD and basal/total daily insulin ratio [B/TD ratio]) and insulin-associated clinical parameters. The mean TDD was 0.463 ± 0.190 unit/kg/day (range, 0.16-1.13 unit/kg/day). The mean B/TD ratio was 0.300 ± 0.099 (range, 0.091-0.667). A positive correlation of TDD with B/TD ratio was revealed by linear regression analysis (r=0.129, p=0.03). Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified post-breakfast glucose levels before titrating insulin as an independent determinant of the insulin requirement profile [Std ß (standard regression coefficient) = 0.228, p<0.01 for TDD, Std ß = -0.189, p<0.01 for B/TD ratio]. The TDD was <0.6 unit/kg/day and the B/TD ratio was <0.4 in the majority (70.2%) of subjects in the present study. These findings may have relevance in improving glycemic control and decreasing the risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain in subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with BBT.

Comparison of the efficacy of sitagliptin and glimepiride dose-up in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes poorly controlled by sitagliptin and glimepiride in combination.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The goal of the study was to examine the effects of sitagliptin dose-up or glimepiride dose-up in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who were controlled inadequately by sitagliptin and glimepiride in combination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label study was carried out in 50 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sitagliptin and low-dose glimepiride. The patients were randomly assigned to receive the addition of 50 mg/day sitagliptin or 0.5 mg/day glimepiride. The primary end-point was the percentage change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). RESULTS: During a follow-up period, the difference in the percentage changes in HbA1c between the two groups was not significant (P = 0.13). However, HbA1c was significantly decreased by glimepiride dose-up (P < 0.01 vs baseline), but not by sitagliptin dose-up (P = 0.74). Univariate linear regression analyses showed that the percentage change in HbA1c was significantly associated with the serum level of arachidonic acid (AA) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the HbA1c-lowering effects between the two groups. However, a significant HbA1c-lowering effect from baseline of glimepiride dose-up was found, and the AA level showed a negative correlation with the decrease in HbA1c in the sitagliptin dose-up group, but a positive correlation in the glimepiride dose-up group. These findings suggest that the AA level is associated with HbA1c reduction in response to dose-up with these drugs in patients with type 2 diabetes in a combination therapy with sitagliptin and glimepiride. This trial was registered with UMIN (no. 000009544).

Efficacy and safety of sitagliptin as add-on therapy on glycemic control and blood glucose fluctuation in Japanese type 2 diabetes subjects ongoing with multiple daily insulin injections therapy.

To assess the efficacy and safety of adding sitagliptin, an oral dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, in subjects with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with multiple daily insulin injections therapy (MDI). HbA1c, 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), body mass index (BMI), insulin doses, six-point self-measured plasma glucose (SMPG) profiles were assessed before, after 12 weeks, and after 24 weeks of MDI with 50 mg/day of sitagliptin in 40 subjects with type 2 diabetes. Safety endpoints included hypoglycemia and any adverse events. HbA1c significantly decreased during the first 12 weeks ( -0.64±0.60%), and was sustained over 24 weeks ( -0.69±0.85%). 1,5-AG increased significantly from 7.5±4.5 µg/mL at baseline to 9.6±5.5 µg/mL after 24 weeks. The bolus insulin dose at 12 weeks was decreased, and the mean plasma glucose, the SD of daily glucose, M-value, and the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) also decreased significantly as compared with baseline values. BMI and frequency of hypoglycemia were not changed significantly. Univariate linear regression analyses revealed that % change in HbA1c was significantly associated with BMI, and % changes in the indexes of glycemic instability (SD of daily glucose and MAGE) were significantly associated with age. In conclusion, adding sitagliptin to MDI significantly improved glycemic control and decreased the daily glucose fluctuation in subjects with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with MDI, without weight gain or an increase in the incidence of hypoglycemia. This trial was registered with UMIN (no. UMIN000010157).

Ezetimibe improves glucose metabolism by ameliorating hepatic function in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

UNLABELLED: Aims/Introduction: Several experimental studies have shown that ezetimibe improves steatosis and insulin resistance in the liver. This suggests that ezetimibe may improve glucose metabolism, as well as lipid metabolism, by inhibiting hepatic lipid accumulation. Therefore, we compared HbA1c levels after 3 months ezetimibe treatment with baseline levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and examined the factors associated with reductions in HbA1c following ezetimibe administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lipid profiles, hepatic function, and HbA1c were assessed before and after 3 months treatment with 10 mg/day ezetimibe in 96 patients with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Regression analysis was used to investigate associations between metabolite levels and the percentage change in HbA1c. RESULTS: Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was significantly lower after 3 months treatment compared with baseline, and HbA1c decreased in approximately 50% of patients. Univariate linear regression analyses showed that changes in HbA1c were significantly associated with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), the aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ALT ratio, and age. Two-tailed chi-square tests revealed that serum ALT ≥35 IU/L and an AST/ALT ratio <1.0 were significantly associated with decreases in HbA1c following ezetimibe administration. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that ezetimibe may improve glucose metabolism. Serum ALT levels and the AST/ALT ratio were useful predictors of a glucose metabolism response to ezetimibe. This trial was registered with UMIN (no. UMIN000005307). (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040-1124.2011.00147.x, 2011).

Development of a highly responsive needle-type glucose sensor using polyimide for a wearable artificial endocrine pancreas.

To produce a long-life, stable, miniature glucose sensor for a wearable artificial endocrine pancreas (WAEP), we developed a novel microneedle-type glucose sensor using polyimide, designated the PI sensor (outer diameter, 0.3 mm; length, 16 mm), and investigated its characteristics in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro study, we tested the sensor in 0.9% NaCl solution with varying glucose concentrations and observed an excellent linear relationship between the sensor output and glucose concentration (range: 0-500 mg/100 ml). In in vivo experiments, the PI sensor was inserted into the abdominal subcutaneous tissue of beagle dogs (n = 5), and interstitial fluid glucose concentrations were monitored after sensor calibration. Simultaneously, blood glucose concentrations were also monitored continuously with another PI sensor placed intravenously. The correlation and time delay between subcutaneous tissue glucose (Y) and blood glucose concentrations (X: 30-350 mg/100 ml) were Y = 1.03X + 7.98 (r = 0.969) and 6.6 +/- 1.2 min, respectively. We applied the new WAEP system/PI sensor and an intravenous insulin infusion algorithm developed previously for glycemic control in diabetic dogs. The use of the WAEP system resulted in excellent glycemic control after an oral glucose challenge of 1.5 g/kg (post-challenge blood glucose levels: 176 +/- 18 mg/100 ml at 65 min and 93 +/- 23 mg/100 ml at 240 min), without any hypoglycemia. Thus, we confirmed that our new PI sensor has excellent sensor characteristics in vitro and in vivo. The new WAEP using this sensor is potentially suitable for clinical application.

Comparison between closed-loop portal and peripheral venous insulin delivery systems for an artificial endocrine pancreas.

To establish the ideal insulin delivery route for an artificial endocrine pancreas, we examined the effectiveness of closed-loop portal insulin delivery. We investigated the effects of the route of insulin delivery on net hepatic glucose balance (NHGB) in dogs under pancreatic clamp conditions with somatostatin plus basal glucagon and insulin infusions. A constant rate of suprabasal insulin was infused via the portal vein or a peripheral vein, and glucose was infused into the portal vein for 180 min. The mean net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) values in the portal insulin infusion group (PI group) were significantly greater than those in the peripheral venous insulin infusion group (VI group); the changes from the baseline values at 180 min were 3.54 +/- 0.66 and 2.45 +/- 0.82 mg kg(-1) min(-1) in the PI and VI groups, respectively, P < 0.05. Furthermore, dogs under pancreatic clamp conditions were controlled after a 2-g/kg oral glucose load by applying the closed-loop intraportal (PO) or intravenous (IV) insulin infusion algorithm. There were no significant differences in glycemic control and insulin requirements between these algorithms. However, the maximum peripheral venous and arterial plasma insulin concentrations with the PO algorithm were significantly lower than those with the IV algorithm [305.1 +/- 68.9 and 468.1 +/- 66.9 pmol/l (peripheral vein) and 305.3 +/- 62.9 and 469.6 +/- 85.1 pmol/l (artery) with the PO and IV algorithms, respectively, P < 0.05]. On the other hand, the maximum portal plasma insulin concentration with the PO algorithm was significantly higher than that with the IV algorithm (619.9 +/- 101.7 and 414.3 +/- 79.9 pmol/l with the PO and IV algorithms, respectively, P < 0.05). The mean NHGU values with the PO algorithm were significantly greater than those with the IV algorithm. Our results confirmed that closed-loop portal insulin delivery is feasible with regard to both insulin profiles and hepatic glucose handling in vivo, and indicated that the portal vein is the most suitable insulin delivery route for the artificial endocrine pancreas.

Strict glycemic control in diabetic dogs with closed-loop intraperitoneal insulin infusion algorithm designed for an artificial endocrine pancreas.

The ultimate goal of the development of an artificial endocrine pancreas is to achieve long-term strict glycemic regulation. To establish the physiological insulin delivery route of the artificial endocrine pancreas, intraperitoneal insulin infusion may be important. For this purpose, we tried to develop a closed-loop intraperitoneal insulin infusion algorithm by analyzing the pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal regular insulin absorption using a mathematical model. The parameters for this algorithm were calculated to simulate the plasma insulin profile after intraperitoneal insulin injection as closely as possible. To evaluate the appropriateness of this algorithm, we tried glycemic control after an oral glucose load of 2 g/kg or a meal load of 80 kcal/kg in diabetic dogs by applying the algorithm. With the use of the subcutaneous insulin lispro infusion algorithm, which we have previously reported, alloxan-induced diabetic dogs exhibited postprandial hyperglycemia and delayed hyperinsulinemia, followed by hypoglycemia after an oral glucose load of 2 g/kg. However, by using the intraperitoneal insulin infusion algorithm, excellent glycemic control (postprandial blood glucose levels of 9.1 +/- 0.8 mmol/l at 70 min and 3.8 +/- 0.3 mmol/l at 240 min, respectively) could be achieved without any associated delayed hyperinsulinemia or hypoglycemia. Glycemic excursion after a meal load of 80 kcal/kg was also controlled from 3.9 to 10.1 mmol/l. Our results confirm that the intraperitoneal insulin infusion algorithm in vivo is feasible and that this algorithm can be superior to the subcutaneous insulin lispro infusion algorithm in the regulation of blood glucose.

Sudden onset of diabetes with ketoacidosis in a patient treated with FK506/tacrolimus.

We report a 43-year-old man who presented diabetic ketoacidosis 1 year after receiving kidney transplantation. He was a recipient of renal transplantation treated with metyl-prednisolone and tacrolimus regimen. The serum level of tacrolimus was 12.4 ng/ml, and he showed hyperphagia before a month of admission. A week before admission, he was aware of polydipsia, polyuria, and general fatigue. He visited our hospital and was found to have severe hyperglycemia (925 mg/dl), significant ketosis and mild metabolic acidosis (pH 7.341), although he had not been diagnosed as diabetes mellitus. He administrated in our hospital, and was treated with insulin for 5 weeks. He was not obese (BMI = 18.2 kg/m(2)) and had no family history of type 2 diabetes. He was finally treated with diet therapy alone. The 24 h urine C-peptide secretion on the third hospital day was low (8.4 microg per day). However, no autoantibodies against pancreatic islets were positive, and his insulin secretion was recovered at discharge suggesting that he was not type 1 diabetes. Although, tacrolimus has been reported to cause or worsen diabetes mellitus, the present case suggests that it could cause severe decrease in insulin secretion which leading to diabetic ketoacidosis in lean subject without previous history of diabetes mellitus.