Reduced nocturnal hypoglycaemia with basal insulin peglispro compared with insulin glargine: pooled analyses of five randomized controlled trials.

Basal insulin peglispro (BIL) is a novel basal insulin with hepato-preferential action, resulting from reduced peripheral effects. This report summarizes hypoglycaemia data from five BIL phase III studies with insulin glargine as the comparator, including three double-blind trials. Prespecified pooled analyses (n = 4927) included: patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receiving basal insulin only, those with T2D on basal-bolus therapy, and those with type 1 diabetes (T1D). BIL treatment resulted in a 36-45% lower nocturnal hypoglycaemia rate compared with glargine, despite greater reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and higher basal insulin dosing. The total hypoglycaemia rate was similar in patients with T2D on basal treatment only, trended towards being higher (10%) in patients with T2D on basal-bolus treatment (p = .053), and was 15% higher (p < .001) with BIL versus glargine in patients with T1D, with more daytime hypoglycaemia in the T1D and T2D groups who were receiving basal-bolus therapy. In T1D, during the maintenance treatment period (26-52 weeks), the total hypoglycaemia rate was not significantly different. There were no differences in severe hypoglycaemia in the T1D or T2D pooled analyses. BIL versus glargine treatment resulted in greater HbA1c reduction with less nocturnal hypoglycaemia in all patient populations, higher daytime hypoglycaemia with basal-bolus therapy in the T1D and T2D groups, and an associated increase in total hypoglycaemia in the patients with T1D.

Lipid changes during basal insulin peglispro, insulin glargine, or NPH treatment in six IMAGINE trials.

Basal insulin peglispro (BIL) is a novel basal insulin with hepato-preferential action resulting from reduced peripheral effects. This report provides an integrated summary of lipid changes at 26 weeks with BIL and comparator insulins (glargine, NPH) from phase III studies in type 1 diabetes (T1D), insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), patients with T2D on basal insulin only and patients with T2D on basal-bolus therapy. BIL treatment had little effect on HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in all patients. The effect of both BIL and glargine treatment on triglycerides (TG) depended on whether patients had been previously treated with insulin. When BIL replaced conventional insulin glargine or NPH treatments, increases in TG levels were observed. When BIL or comparator insulins were given for 26 weeks to insulin-naïve patients with T2D, TG levels were unchanged from baseline with BIL but decreased with either glargine or NPH. The decreased peripheral action of BIL may reduce suppression of lipolysis in peripheral adipose tissue resulting in increased free fatty acid delivery to the liver and, hence, increased hepatic TG synthesis and secretion.

Fasting and postprandial plasma glucose contributions to hemoglobin A1c and time in range in people with diabetes on multiple daily injection insulin therapy: Results from the PRONTO-T1D and PRONTO-T2D clinical trials.

AIMS: To investigate contributions of changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and postprandial glucose (PPG) to changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and time-in-range (TIR, 70-180 mg/dL) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with multiple daily injections (MDI) of insulin lispro (rapid/ultra-rapid formulations). METHODS: Multivariate regression models were used to quantify the contributions of FPG and PPG reductions to change in HbA1c and TIR using data from the PRONTO-T1D (N = 1222) and PRONTO-T2D (N = 673) clinical trials. TIR was derived from 10-point self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) profiles overall, as well as from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the PRONTO-T1D CGM substudy (n = 269/1222). RESULTS: A 1 mmol/L FPG reduction corresponded with a 0.09-0.12 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.15 %) HbA1c reduction in PRONTO-T1D and 0.17-0.26 % (95 % CI 0.13-0.30 %) in PRONTO-T2D (both p < 0.0001). A 1 mmol/L PPG reduction corresponded with a 0.05-0.09 % (95 % CI 0.01-0.12 %) HbA1c reduction in PRONTO-T1D (p < 0.001) and 0.10-0.15 % (95 % CI 0.05-0.19 %) in PRONTO-T2D (p < 0.0001). Reductions in FPG and PPG were significantly associated with increased TIR whether derived from SMBG (7.87-12.95 % [95 % CI 6.81-14.23 %]; all p < 0.0001) or CGM (3.35-4.18 % [95 % CI 2.11-5.39 %]; all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FPG and PPG significantly impact HbA1c and TIR. Balanced management of both FPG and PPG is important to achieve glycemic goals for people with diabetes on MDI insulin therapy. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: PRONTO-T1D ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03214367; PRONTO-T2D ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03214380.

Increased Time in Range with Ultra Rapid Lispro Treatment in Participants with Type 2 Diabetes: PRONTO-Time in Range.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate time in range metrics and HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with ultra rapid lispro (URLi) using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for the first time in this population. METHODS: This was a Phase 3b, 12-week, single-treatment study in adults with T2D on basal-bolus multiple daily injection (MDI) therapy using basal insulin glargine U-100 along with a rapid-acting insulin analog. Following a 4-week baseline period, 176 participants were newly treated with prandial URLi. Participants used unblinded CGM (Freestyle Libre). Primary endpoint was time in range (TIR) (70-180 mg/dl) during the daytime period at Week 12 compared to baseline with gated secondary endpoints of HbA1c change from baseline and 24-h TIR (70-180 mg/dl). RESULTS: Improved glycemic control was observed at Week 12 versus baseline including mean daytime TIR (change from baseline [Δ] 3.8%; P = 0.007), HbA1c (Δ - 0.44%; P < 0.001), and 24-h TIR (Δ 3.3%; P = 0.016) with no significant difference in time below range (TBR). After 12 weeks, there was a statistically significant decrease in postprandial glucose incremental area under curve, overall, across all meals, within 1 h (P = 0.005) or 2 h (P < 0.001) after the start of a meal. Basal, bolus, and total insulin dose were intensified with increased bolus/total dose ratio at Week 12 (50.7%) versus baseline (44.5%; P < 0.001). There were no severe hypoglycemia events during the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: In people with T2D, URLi in an MDI regimen was efficacious with improved glycemic control including TIR, HbA1c, and postprandial glucose without increased hypoglycemia/TBR. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04605991.

Assessing Time in Range with Postprandial Glucose-Focused Titration of Ultra Rapid Lispro (URLi) in People with Type 1 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: To assess time in range (TIR) (70-180 mg/dL) with postprandial glucose (PPG)-focused titration of ultra rapid lispro (URLi; Lyumjev®) in combination with insulin degludec in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: This phase 2, single-group, open-label, exploratory study was conducted in 31 participants with T1D on multiple daily injection therapy. Participants were treated with insulin degludec and Lispro for an 11-day lead-in and then URLi for a 46-day treatment period consisting of 35-day titration and 11-day endpoint maintenance period. Glucose targets for the titration period were PPG < 140 mg/dL or < 20% increase from premeal, fasting glucose 80-110 mg/dL, and overnight excursion ± 30 mg/dL or less. Participants used the InPen™ bolus calculator and Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). RESULTS: Primary endpoint mean TIR (70-180 mg/dL) with URLi during the maintenance period was 70.2%. TIR (70-180 mg/dL) and times below/above range were not significantly different with URLi (maintenance) versus lispro (lead-in). HbA1c decreased from 7.1% at screening to 6.8% at endpoint (least squares mean [LSM] change from baseline, - 0.36%; P < 0.001). Fructosamine and 1,5-anhydroglucitol improved (P < 0.001). Mean hourly glucose using CGM was reduced from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with URLi. Overall highest PPG excursion across meals was significantly reduced at URLi endpoint compared with lispro lead-in (mean 56.5 vs 72.4 mg/dL; P < 0.001). Insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio (U/X g) was reduced (more insulin given) at breakfast at URLi endpoint vs lead-in (LSM 9.0 vs 9.7 g; P = 0.002) and numerically decreased at other meals. Total daily insulin dose (TDD) was higher at URLi endpoint compared with lispro lead-in (mean 50.2 vs 47.0 U; P = 0.046) with similar prandial/TDD ratio (mean 52.1% vs 51.2%). There were no severe hypoglycemia events during the study. CONCLUSIONS: URLi in a basal-bolus regimen focusing on PPG targets demonstrated improved overall glycemic control and reduced PPG excursions without increased hypoglycemia in participants with T1D. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT04585776.

Efficacy and Safety of Ultra-Rapid Lispro in Younger and Older Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Double-Blind PRONTO-T2D Study.

INTRODUCTION: Ultra-rapid lispro (URLi) is a new prandial insulin lispro formulation. In the PRONTO-T2D study, URLi, in a basal-bolus regimen with glargine or degludec, was non-inferior to lispro (Humalog®) for HbA1c reduction and superior for postprandial glucose (PPG) control. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of URLi compared to lispro in younger versus older patients in PRONTO-T2D. METHODS: PRONTO-T2D was a phase 3, 26-week, double-blind, treat-to-target study in people with type 2 diabetes. In this sub-group analysis, we compared URLi to lispro on the change from baseline  in HbA1c and rate of level 2 hypoglycemia (< 54 mg/dl) in patients aged < 65 (N = 406) and ≥ 65 years (N = 267). RESULTS: At baseline, patients < 65 versus ≥ 65 years had mean age of 54.9 versus 69.2 years and duration of diabetes 14.6 versus 19.4 years. Mean HbA1c at screening and randomization was 8.35 and 7.34%, respectively, in patients < 65 years, and 8.21 and 7.23%, respectively, in patients ≥ 65 years. At endpoint, mean HbA1c with URLi versus lispro was 6.92 versus 6.90%, respectively, in patients < 65 years and 6.89 versus 6.79%, respectively, in patients ≥ 65 years. URLi significantly reduced 1- and 2-h PPG excursions with a standardized meal test in both age groups: between-treatment differences at 1-h postmeal for younger and older patients was - 9.8 and - 15.1 mg/dl, respectively; and at 2-h postmeal, - 18.7 and - 15.1 mg/dl, respectively, all p < 0.05. Severe and nocturnal hypoglycemia were similar between groups. The relative rate (URLi/Humalog) of level 2 hypoglycemia was lower in older versus younger patients, with a significant treatment-by-age interaction observed. No differential treatment effects were noted for insulin dose, weight, and fasting and maximum glucose after the meal test. CONCLUSIONS: URLi, in a basal-bolus regimen, resulted in endpoint HbA1c < 7% and significantly lower PPG excursions compared to lispro in both age groups, with reduced level 2 hypoglycemia in older versus younger patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03214380.

Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial Comparing Ultra Rapid Lispro With Lispro in a Basal-Bolus Regimen in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: PRONTO-T2D.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultra rapid lispro (URLi) versus lispro in patients with type 2 diabetes on a basal-bolus insulin regimen. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a phase 3, treat-to-target, double-blind 26-week study. After an 8-week lead-in to optimize basal insulin glargine or degludec in combination with prandial lispro treatment, patients were randomized to blinded URLi (n = 336) or lispro (n = 337) injected 0-2 min prior to meals. Patients could continue metformin and/or a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor. The primary end point was change in HbA1c from baseline to 26 weeks (noninferiority margin 0.4%), with multiplicity-adjusted objectives for postprandial glucose (PPG) excursions during a standardized meal test. RESULTS: HbA1c improved for both URLi and lispro, and noninferiority was confirmed: estimated treatment difference (ETD) 0.06% (95% CI -0.05; 0.16). Mean change in HbA1c was -0.38% for URLi and -0.43% for lispro, with an end-of-treatment HbA1c of 6.92% and 6.86%, respectively. URLi was superior to lispro in controlling 1- and 2-h PPG excursions: 1-h ETD, -0.66 mmol/L (95% CI -1.01, -0.30); 2-h ETD, -0.96 mmol/L (-1.41, -0.52). Significantly lower PPG excursions were evident from 0.5 to 4.0 h postmeal with URLi treatment. There were no significant treatment differences in rates of severe or documented hypoglycemia (<3.0 mmol/L). Incidence of overall treatment-emergent adverse events was similar between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: URLi compared with lispro in a basal-bolus regimen was confirmed to be noninferior for HbA1c and superior to lispro for PPG control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Short-term exercise improves beta-cell function and insulin resistance in older people with impaired glucose tolerance.

BACKGROUND: There is a high prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in the older population. Normal aging is associated with insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, with greater defects in people with IGT. Short-term exercise has been found to increase insulin sensitivity, but little is known about acute exercise effects on beta-cell function in older people with IGT. METHODS: We assessed the effects of 7 consecutive days of supervised aerobic exercise (1 h/d at 60-70% heart rate reserve) in 12 sedentary older people with IGT. Screening included oral glucose tolerance test, stress/maximal O(2) uptake test, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan. Participants had a frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test at baseline and 15-20 h after the seventh exercise session. Insulin sensitivity (S(I)), glucose disappearance constant (Kg, a measure of iv glucose tolerance), acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg), and disposition index (AIRg x S(I)), a measure of beta-cell function in relation to insulin resistance, were calculated. RESULTS: Exercise was well tolerated. Body weight, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and iv glucose tolerance were unchanged with exercise. S(I) increased by 59%, AIRg decreased by 12%, and disposition index increased by 31%. There was no significant change in fasting lipid, catecholamine, leptin, or adiponectin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term exercise not only improved insulin resistance but also significantly enhanced beta-cell function in older people with IGT. These effects of short-term exercise on beta-cell function cannot be explained by changes in body weight or circulating levels of lipids, leptin, adiponectin, or catecholamines.

Relationship of Glucose Variability With Glycated Hemoglobin and Daily Mean Glucose: A Post Hoc Analysis of Data From 5 Phase 3 Studies.

BACKGROUND: The association of glucose variability (GV) with other glycemic measures is emerging as a topic of interest. The aim of this analysis is to study the correlation between GV and measures of glycemic control, such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and daily mean glucose (DMG). METHODS: Data from 5 phase 3 trials were pooled into 3 analysis groups: type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with basal insulin only, T2D treated with basal-bolus therapy, and type 1 diabetes (T1D). A generalized boosted model was used post hoc to assess the relationship of the following variables with glycemic control parameters (HbA1c and DMG): within-day GV, between-day GV (calculated using self-monitored blood glucose and fasting blood glucose [FBG]), hypoglycemia rate, and certain baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Within-day GV (calculated using standard deviation [SD]) was found to have a significant influence on endpoints HbA1c and DMG in all 3 patient groups. Between-day GV from FBG (calculated using SD), within-day GV (calculated using coefficient of variation), and hypoglycemia rate were found to significantly influence the endpoint HbA1c in the T2D basal-only group. CONCLUSIONS: Lower within-day GV was significantly associated with improvement in DMG and HbA1c. This finding suggests that GV could be a marker in the early phases of new antihyperglycemic therapy development for predicting clinical outcomes in terms of HbA1c and DMG.

Dose Unit Establishment for a New Basal Insulin Using Joint Modeling of Insulin Dose and Glycemic Response.

BACKGROUND: For new insulin analogs with properties that vary from human insulin, defining activity in units of human insulin based on glycemic lowering efficacy may be challenging. Here we present a new method that can be used to quantify a unit dose of an experimental insulin when the traditional euglycemic clamp method is not adequate. METHODS: Joint modeling of insulin dose and the glycemic outcome variable hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), where both were response variables, was used to evaluate insulin unit potency for basal insulin peglispro (BIL). The data were from the Phase 3 program for BIL, which included greater than 5500 patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who were treated for 26 or 52 weeks with BIL or a comparator insulin. Both basal-bolus and basal insulin only studies were included, and some type 2 diabetes patients were insulin-naïve. RESULTS: The analysis showed that 1 unit of BIL, composed of 9 nmol of active ingredient, had similar or slightly greater potency compared to 1 unit insulin glargine or NPH insulin for all populations. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some limitations, the joint modeling of HbA1c and insulin dose provides a reasonable approach to estimate the relative potency of a new basal insulin versus an established basal insulin.

Cytokeratin-18 and enhanced liver fibrosis scores in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and effects of two different insulins.

Data on cytokeratin-18 (K-18) and enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score in insulin-treated diabetes patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are limited. This study analyzed phase III data comparing basal insulin peglispro (BIL) and insulin glargine in type 1 (T1D), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) (insulin-naïve and insulin-treated). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), K-18, ELF scores and liver fat content (LFC), measured by MRI, were obtained longitudinally. Baseline K-18 (U/L) was higher in T2D (range: 207‒247) than T1D (range: 148‒183), correlated with ALT in all populations (r (range) 0.264‒0.637, p<0.05), but with LFC only in T2D (r (range) 0.474‒0.586, p<0.05). K-18 increased significantly from baseline in BIL-treated, but not glargine-treated patients. Change from baseline (CFB) K-18 was significantly correlated with CFB in ALT in BIL-treated T2D populations. Baseline ELF scores were higher in T2D (range: 9.12‒9.20) than T1D (range: 8.24‒8.36), correlated with ALT in T1D only (0.209, p<0.05), and not correlated with LFC in any population. ELF scores increased significantly from baseline in BIL-treated but not glargine-treated patients. There were no correlations between CFB in LFC and ELF score at week 52 in any treatment group/population. In all BIL-treated populations, CFB in ALT and CFB in ELF score at week 52 were positively correlated. These data characterize associations of K-18 and ELF score with ALT and LFC in insulin-treated patients with T1D and T2D. Hepatopreferential insulins may be associated with increased K-18 and ELF scores but mechanisms and clinical significance are unknown. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers are NCT01481779, NCT01435616, NCT01454284 and NCT01582451.

Effects of hepato-preferential basal insulin peglispro on nuclear magnetic resonance biomarkers lipoprotein insulin resistance index and GlycA in patients with diabetes.

AIM: To characterize the effects of hepato-preferential basal insulin peglispro (BIL) and insulin glargine on insulin resistance (lipoprotein insulin resistance index [LP-IR]) and inflammation (GlycA), and to explore the biological implications. METHODS: This substudy included 847 patients with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) or Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in four cohorts of the BIL development program. LP-IR and GlycA were measured before and after insulin treatment. Correlations between LP-IR, GlycA, clinical parameters and liver biomarkers were assessed. RESULTS: LP-IR and GlycA were higher in T2D than T1D. LP-IR increased in patients switched from basal insulins to BIL but not in insulin-naive patients. GlycA decreased in T2D patients treated with BIL and T1D patients treated with glargine. CONCLUSION: These exploratory analyses help to characterize differences in biological effects between BIL and glargine treatment.

Limitation of the homeostasis model assessment to predict insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction in older people.

CONTEXT: Studies in older people have shown inconsistent agreement between homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and dynamic measures of insulin action and have not evaluated HOMA beta-cell. OBJECTIVE: We compared measures of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function from the frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) to HOMA models. DESIGN/PATIENTS/SETTING/INTERVENTION: Two hundred fourteen young and old with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and old with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) participated in a retrospective analysis of FSIGT data in a university medical setting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Sensitivity to insulin (S(I)) and acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg) from FSIGT were compared with HOMA models. RESULTS: S(I) and HOMA-IR measures identified similar patterns of increasing insulin resistance in the two older groups, compared with younger people with NGT, with the greatest degree of insulin resistance in older people with IGT (P < 0.05 vs. young and old NGT for both S(I) and HOMA-IR). Agreement between HOMA-IR and S(I) was moderate (weighted kappa = 0.51). AIRg was similar in young and old NGT but was markedly decreased in old IGT (P < 0.05 vs. young and old NGT). HOMA-beta-cell was similar in the three groups. Agreement between HOMA beta-cell and AIRg was weak (weighted kappa = 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: HOMA-IR may detect age-related insulin resistance when comparing large populations of older people. However, dynamic testing appears to be necessary to quantitate diminished insulin secretion in older people.

Impaired beta-cell function in human aging: response to nicotinic acid-induced insulin resistance.

CONTEXT: Glucose tolerance declines with age and may involve impaired beta-cell sensitivity to glucose and beta-cell compensation for insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE: We investigated beta-cell sensitivity to glucose and beta-cell compensation for nicotinic acid-induced insulin resistance in young (age <35 yr) people with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and old (age >60 yr) people with NGT and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). DESIGN/PATIENTS/SETTING/INTERVENTION: Fifteen young NGT, 16 old NGT, and 14 old IGT were randomized to 2-wk treatment with nicotinic acid or placebo in a double-blind, crossover study in a university medical setting. At the end of each treatment period, participants had a frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test and ramp clamp, in which insulin secretion rates (ISR) were determined in response to a matched 5-10 mm glucose stimulus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Insulin sensitivity (S(I)), acute insulin response to iv glucose (AIRg), and disposition index (AIRg x S(I), or beta-cell compensation for insulin resistance) from frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance testing, and ISR area under the curve (or beta-cell sensitivity to glucose) from ramp clamp were determined. RESULTS: Progressive impairments in insulin secretion as assessed by AIRg, disposition index, and ISR area under the curve were identified in older people with NGT, with more marked defects in older people with IGT. Nicotinic acid treatment significantly reduced S(I) in all groups. beta-Cell compensation for nicotinic acid-induced insulin resistance was incomplete in all three groups, with greater defects in the two older groups. CONCLUSIONS: Human aging is associated with impaired beta-cell sensitivity to glucose and impaired beta-cell compensation to insulin resistance.

Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Basal Insulin Peglispro and Insulin Glargine in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Previously Treated With Basal Insulin: IMAGINE 5.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of basal insulin peglispro (BIL) versus insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] ≤9% [75 mmol/mol]) treated with basal insulin alone or with three or fewer oral antihyperglycemic medications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This 52-week, open-label, treat-to-target study randomized patients (mean HbA1c 7.42% [57.6 mmol/mol]) to BIL (n = 307) or glargine (n = 159). The primary end point was change from baseline HbA1c to 26 weeks (0.4% [4.4 mmol/mol] noninferiority margin). RESULTS: At 26 weeks, reduction in HbA1c was superior with BIL versus glargine (-0.82% [-8.9 mmol/mol] vs. -0.29% [-3.2 mmol/mol]; least squares mean difference -0.52%, 95% CI -0.67 to -0.38 [-5.7 mmol/mol, 95% CI -7.3 to -4.2; P < 0.001); greater reduction in HbA1c with BIL was maintained at 52 weeks. More BIL patients achieved HbA1c <7% (53 mmol/mol) at weeks 26 and 52 (P < 0.001). With BIL versus glargine, nocturnal hypoglycemia rate was 60% lower, more patients achieved HbA1c <7% (53 mmol/mol) without nocturnal hypoglycemia at 26 and 52 weeks (P < 0.001), and total hypoglycemia rates were lower at 52 weeks (P = 0.03). At weeks 26 and 52, glucose variability was lower (P < 0.01), basal insulin dose was higher (P < 0.001), and triglycerides and aminotransferases were higher with BIL versus glargine (P < 0.05). Liver fat content (LFC), assessed in a subset of patients (n = 162), increased from baseline with BIL versus glargine (P < 0.001), with stable levels between 26 and 52 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: BIL provided superior glycemic control versus glargine, with reduced nocturnal and total hypoglycemia, lower glucose variability, and increased triglycerides, aminotransferases, and LFC.

The GLP-1 derivative NN2211 restores beta-cell sensitivity to glucose in type 2 diabetic patients after a single dose.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) stimulates insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner, but its short half-life limits its therapeutic potential. We tested NN2211, a long-acting GLP-1 derivative, in 10 subjects with type 2 diabetes (means +/- SD: age 63 +/- 8 years, BMI 30.1 +/- 4.2 kg/m(2), HbA(1c) 6.5 +/- 0.8%) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. A single injection (7.5 micro g/kg) of NN2211 or placebo was administered 9 h before the study. beta-cell sensitivity was assessed by a graded glucose infusion protocol, with glucose levels matched over the 5-12 mmol/l range. Insulin secretion rates (ISRs) were estimated by deconvolution of C-peptide levels. Findings were compared with those in 10 nondiabetic volunteers during the same glucose infusion protocol. In type 2 diabetic subjects, NN2211, in comparison with placebo, increased insulin and C-peptide levels, the ISR area under the curve (AUC) (1,130 +/- 150 vs. 668 +/- 106 pmol/kg; P < 0.001), and the slope of ISR versus plasma glucose (1.26 +/- 0.36 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.18 pmol x l[min(-1) x mmol(-1) x kg(-1)]; P < 0.014), with values similar to those of nondiabetic control subjects (ISR AUC 1,206 +/- 99; slope of ISR versus plasma glucose, 1.44 +/- 0.18). The long-acting GLP-1 derivative, NN2211, restored beta-cell responsiveness to physiological hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic subjects.

Performance of an Electronic Diary System for Intensive Insulin Management in Global Diabetes Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: This report describes the performance of a wireless electronic diary (e-diary) system for data collection and enhanced patient-investigator interactions during intensive insulin management in diabetes clinical trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We implemented a customized electronic communication system featuring an e-diary and a Web portal in three global, randomized, controlled Phase 3 clinical trials testing basal insulin peglispro compared with insulin glargine, both combined with prandial insulin lispro, in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM, respectively). We collected data during 28 weeks of study e-diary use for the report. RESULTS: Patients (n=2,938) in 31 countries used e-diaries to transmit 2,439,087 blood glucose (BG) values, 96% of which were associated by the patient with a protocol time point during the 72-h response window. Of 208,192 hypoglycemia events captured, 96% had a BG value, and 95% had treatments and outcomes entered by patients within the 72-h window. Patients recorded administration of 1,964,477 insulin doses; 93% of basal insulin doses were adherent with the investigator prescription. Investigators adjusted 13 basal and 92 bolus insulin prescriptions per patient-year using the e-diary system. After 26 weeks of treatment and e-diary use in the combined study arms, hemoglobin A1c values decreased by 0.6% or 1.6% and fasting BG decreased by 7.8 or 28 mg/dL in patients with T1DM or T2DM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The e-diary system enabled comprehensive data collection and facilitated communication between investigators and patients for intensive insulin management in three global clinical trials testing basal insulins.

Islet autoimmunity identifies a unique pattern of impaired pancreatic beta-cell function, markedly reduced pancreatic beta cell mass and insulin resistance in clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

There is a paucity of literature describing metabolic and histological data in adult-onset autoimmune diabetes. This subgroup of diabetes mellitus affects at least 5% of clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients (T2DM) and it is termed Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA). We evaluated indexes of insulin secretion, metabolic assessment, and pancreatic pathology in clinically diagnosed T2DM patients with and without the presence of humoral islet autoimmunity (Ab). A total of 18 patients with at least 5-year duration of clinically diagnosed T2DM were evaluated in this study. In those subjects we assessed acute insulin responses to arginine, a glucose clamp study, whole-body fat mass and fat-free mass. We have also analyzed the pancreatic pathology of 15 T2DM and 43 control cadaveric donors, using pancreatic tissue obtained from all the T2DM organ donors available from the nPOD network through December 31, 2013. The presence of islet Ab correlated with severely impaired ß-cell function as demonstrated by remarkably low acute insulin response to arginine (AIR) when compared to that of the Ab negative group. Glucose clamp studies indicated that both Ab positive and Ab negative patients exhibited peripheral insulin resistance in a similar fashion. Pathology data from T2DM donors with Ab or the autoimmune diabetes associated DR3/DR4 allelic class II combination showed reduction in beta cell mass as well as presence of autoimmune-associated pattern A pathology in subjects with either islet autoantibodies or the DR3/DR4 genotype. In conclusion, we provide compelling evidence indicating that islet Ab positive long-term T2DM patients exhibit profound impairment of insulin secretion as well as reduced beta cell mass seemingly determined by an immune-mediated injury of pancreatic ß-cells. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying beta cell destruction in this subset of diabetic patients may lead to the development of novel immunologic therapies aimed at halting the disease progression in its early stage.

Aging and insulin secretion.

Glucose tolerance progressively declines with age, and there is a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and postchallenge hyperglycemia in the older population. Age-related glucose intolerance in humans is often accompanied by insulin resistance, but circulating insulin levels are similar to those of younger people. Under some conditions of hyperglycemic challenge, insulin levels are lower in older people, suggesting beta-cell dysfunction. When insulin sensitivity is controlled for, insulin secretory defects have been consistently demonstrated in aging humans. In addition, beta-cell sensitivity to incretin hormones may be decreased with advancing age. Impaired beta-cell compensation to age-related insulin resistance may predispose older people to develop postchallenge hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. An improved understanding of the metabolic alterations associated with aging is essential for the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions in this population at high risk for glucose intolerance.