The effect of curcumin on hepatic fat content in individuals with obesity.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of curcumin treatment on hepatic fat content in obese individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double-blind, parallel-group trial, 37 obese, non-diabetic individuals were randomized to placebo or curcumin treatment for 6 weeks. Curcumin was dosed as lecithin-formulated tablet; 200 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint was hepatic fat content as assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Other endpoints included anthropometric measurements, hepatic biomarkers including FibroScan measurements, metabolic variables, inflammation markers, appetite measures and ad libitum food intake. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics (mean ± SD) were age 46 ± 14 years, hepatic fat content 12.2% ± 8.8% points, body mass index 38.8 ± 6.1 kg/m2 and waist circumference 125.8 ± 12.3 cm. After 6 weeks of treatment with curcumin, hepatic fat content was changed by -0.86% points (95% CI -3.65; 1.94) compared with 0.71% points (95% CI - 2.08; 3.51) with placebo, thus resulting in a non-significant estimated treatment difference of -1.57% points (95% CI -5.36; 2.22, P = .412). Compared with placebo, curcumin treatment caused small reductions in fasting plasma glucose (estimated treatment difference [ETD] - 0.24 mmol/L [95% CI -0.45; -0.03]), triglycerides (ETD [percentage change] -20.22% [95% CI -33.21; -6.03]) and gamma glutamyltransferase (ETD [percentage change] -15.70% [95% CI -23.32; -7.32]), but except for gamma glutamyltransferase, none of these differences remained statistically significant after adjusting for multiple testing. Treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, curcumin treatment for 6 weeks had no significant effect on MRS-assessed hepatic fat content in obese individuals with primarily mild steatosis. Curcumin was well tolerated.

[Cross-sectoral collaboration in type 2 diabetes management in Denmark].

To optimize medical care, Danish guidelines for type 2 diabetes emphasize cross-sectoral collaboration. Risk stratification is recommended as a model of organizing care in terms of distributing tasks and responsibilities between primary and secondary healthcare sectors. Collaboration between the sectors is expected to be beneficial for patients and ensure rational utilization of resources. Challenges such as inter-sectoral communication, sharing of data and unambiguous responsibility underline the need for continuous optimization of the organization of cross-sectorial diabetes management.

Lixisenatide for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasing health problem worldwide. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are an expanding drug class that target several of the pathophysiological traits of T2DM. Lixisenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist in development for once-daily treatment of T2DM. AREAS COVERED: Pharmacological, preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrating the applicability of lixisenatide for the treatment of T2DM are reviewed. Available data and pending clinical development are summarized, critically appraised and compared to competitor drugs. The most relevant papers and meeting abstracts published up to November 2010 are used as sources for this review. EXPERT OPINION: Efficacy and safety in T2DM are demonstrated with lixisenatide in monotherapy and in combination with metformin. However, limited data with the intended once-daily 20 µg subcutaneous dosing necessitate further evaluation of lixisenatide as add-on to various antidiabetic treatments. It remains to be established whether the slightly differing chemical properties compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists including a rather short duration of action will be a disadvantage or maybe even an advantage, for example, when combined with long-acting insulin.

Lixisenatide, a novel GLP-1 receptor agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Lixisenatide, under development by sanofi-aventis, is a novel human glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; non-insulin dependent diabetes). The structure of lixisenatide, based on exendin-4(1-39) modified C-terminally with six Lys residues, is able to withstand physiological degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase IV. In vitro, lixisenatide bound to human GLP-1R with a greater affinity than native human GLP-1 (7-36 amide). In various in vitro and in vivo models of T2DM, lixisenatide improved glycemic measures and demonstrated promising pancreatic beta-cell-preserving actions. In patients with T2DM, subcutaneously administered lixisenatide displayed linear pharmacokinetics. In two phase II clinical trials, lixisenatide improved glucose tolerance, resulted in weight loss and lowered HbA1C, thereby causing significantly more patients to achieve target HbA1C levels compared with placebo. Lixisenatide exhibited well-established GLP-1-related gastrointestinal side effects, with mild nausea occurring most frequently; a low frequency of hypoglycemia was also reported. The results of phase III trials are awaited for confirmation of the anticipated effects of lixisenatide on glycemic measures and weight; favorable results would place lixisenatide for consideration among other GLP-1R agonists in the treatment armamentarium for T2DM.