Neuromedin B receptor as a potential therapeutic target for corticotroph adenomas.

PURPOSE: Cushing's disease (CD) results from autonomous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion by corticotroph adenomas, leading to excessive cortisol production, ultimately affecting morbidity and mortality. Pasireotide is the only FDA approved tumor directed treatment for CD, but it is effective in only about 25% of patients, and is associated with a high rate of hyperglycemia. Neuromedin B (NMB), a member of the bombesin-like peptide family, regulates endocrine secretion and cell proliferation. Here, we assessed NMB and NMB receptor (NMBR) expression in human corticotroph adenomas and the effects of NMBR antagonist PD168368 on murine and human corticotroph tumors. METHODS: To investigate NMB and NMBR expression, real-time qPCR and immunostaining on human pathological specimens of corticotroph, non-functional and somatotroph adenomas were performed. The effects of PD168368 on hormone secretion and cell proliferation were studied in vitro, in vivo and in seven patient-derived corticotroph adenoma cells. NMB and NMBR were expressed in higher extent in human corticotroph adenomas compared with non-functional or somatotroph adenomas. RESULTS: In murine AtT-20 cells, PD168368 reduced proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) mRNA/protein expression and ACTH secretion as well as cell proliferation. In mice with tumor xenografts, tumor growth, ACTH and corticosterone were downregulated by PD168368. In patient-derived adenoma cells, PD168368 reduced POMC mRNA expression in four out of seven cases and ACTH secretion in two out of five cases. A PD168368-mediated cyclin E suppression was also identified in AtT-20 and patient-derived cells. CONCLUSION: NMBR antagonist represents a potential treatment for CD and its effect may be mediated by cyclin E suppression.

Inverse association between glucose variability and body fat in type 2 diabetes with impaired endogenous insulin secretion assessed using continuous glucose monitoring: A prospective observational study.

AIM: To evaluate the contribution of body fat mass and serum adiponectin concentration to glucose variability (GV) stability in people with type 2 diabetes with impaired versus preserved endogenous insulin secretion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicentre prospective observational study included 193 people with type 2 diabetes who underwent ambulatory continuous glucose monitoring, abdominal computed tomography and fasting blood sampling. A fasting C-peptide (FCP) concentration >2 ng/mL was defined as preserved endogenous insulin secretion. The participants were divided into high (FCP > 2 ng/mL) and low FCP subgroups (FCP ≤ 2 ng/mL). Multivariate regression analysis was performed in each subgroup. RESULTS: In the high FCP subgroup, the coefficient of variation (CV) in GV was unrelated to abdominal fat area. In the low FCP subgroup, a high CV was significantly related to small abdominal visceral fat area (ß = -0.11, standard error 0.03; P < 0.05) and to small subcutaneous fat area (ß = -0.09, standard error 0.04; P < 0.05). No significant relationship between serum adiponectin concentration and continuous glucose monitoring-related variables was found. CONCLUSIONS: The contribution of body fat mass to GV depends on the endogenous insulin secretion residue. A small body fat area has independent adverse effects on GV in people with type 2 diabetes and impaired endogenous insulin secretion.

Improvement of glycaemic control and treatment satisfaction by switching from liraglutide or dulaglutide to subcutaneous semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes: A multicentre, prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group comparison study (SWITCH-SEMA 1 study).

AIM: To investigate the effects of switching from liraglutide or dulaglutide to once-weekly semaglutide on glycaemic control and treatment satisfaction in patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicentre, open-labelled, prospective, randomized, parallel-group comparison study, patients treated with liraglutide 0.9-1.8 mg/day (plan A) or dulaglutide 0.75 mg/week (plan B) were either switched to semaglutide or continued current therapy. The primary endpoint was the mean change in glycated haemoglobin over 24 weeks. The secondary endpoints included the changes of Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire scores, body weight and metabolic indices. RESULTS: In total, 110 patients were enrolled, and 10 were excluded; therefore, 37 patients in plan A and 63 patients in plan B completed the study. Glycated haemoglobin levels were significantly reduced in the semaglutide group in both plans [plan A, 7.8% ± 1.0% to 7.8% ± 0.7% (liraglutide) vs. 7.9% ± 0.7% to 7.3% ± 0.7% (semaglutide), p < .01; plan B, 7.8% ± 1.0% to 7.9% ± 1.2% (dulaglutide) vs. 7.8% ± 0.8% to 7.1% ± 0.6% (semaglutide), p < .01]. Semaglutide also improved Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire scores in both groups (plan A, +0.1 vs. +8.3, p < .01; plan B, -1.2 vs. +3.5, p < .01). Switching from dulaglutide yielded greater reductions in body weight and improved metabolic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Once-weekly semaglutide administration improved glycaemic control and treatment satisfaction after switching from liraglutide or dulaglutide. These results highlighted a useful treatment option for patients with metabolic abnormalities despite glucagon-like receptor-1 receptor agonist treatment.

Use of iGlarLixi for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes in Japanese Clinical Practice: Prior Treatment Subgroup Analysis of the SPARTA Japan Study.

INTRODUCTION: iGlarLixi, a fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine 100 U/mL and the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) lixisenatide, is one option for treatment intensification in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who are unable to achieve targeted glycaemic control with their current glucose-lowering agent. Real-world data on the impact of prior treatment on the effectiveness and safety of iGlarLixi may be useful to guide individualised treatment decisions. METHODS: This analysis of the 6-month, retrospective, observational SPARTA Japan study compared glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight and safety for pre-specified subgroups defined by prior treatment: post oral antidiabetic agent (OAD), GLP-1 RA, basal insulin (BI) + OADs (BOT), GLP-1 RA + BI or multiple daily injections (MDI). The post BOT and MDI subgroups were further divided on the basis of prior dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) use, and the post MDI group was divided on the basis of whether participants continued bolus insulin. RESULTS: Of the 432 participants in the full analysis set (FAS), 337 were included in this subgroup analysis. Across subgroups, mean baseline HbA1c ranged from 8.49% to 9.18%. iGlarLixi significantly (p < 0.05) reduced mean HbA1c from baseline in all but the post GLP-1 RA + BI group. At 6 months, these significant reductions ranged from 0.47% to 1.27%. Prior DPP-4i exposure had no impact on the HbA1c-lowering effect of iGlarLixi. Mean body weight decreased significantly in the FAS (0.5 kg) and the post BOT (1.2 kg) and MDI (1.5 and 1.9 kg) subgroups but increased in the post GLP-1 RA subgroup (1.3 kg). iGlarLixi treatment was generally well tolerated, with very few participants discontinuing because of hypoglycaemia or gastrointestinal events. CONCLUSION: In participants with suboptimal glycaemic control on various regimens, 6 months of iGlarLixi treatment improved HbA1c in all but one prior treatment subgroup (GLP-1 RA + BI), and was generally well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR Trials Registry, UMIN000044126; registered 10 May 2021.

Despite initially receiving oral treatment for their diabetes, many individuals with type 2 diabetes are unable to achieve their blood glucose targets and require treatment intensification as their disease progresses. In these individuals, options for treatment intensification include adding an injectable therapy, such as a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist or basal insulin, or the combination of both. However, the impact of previously received treatments on the ability of treatment intensification to improve outcomes in these individuals has yet to be evaluated. Here, we report the findings of an analysis that aimed to determine the influence of different treatment backgrounds on the effectiveness and safety of iGlarLixi, a fixed-ratio combination (i.e. combined as a single subcutaneous injection) of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist lixisenatide and basal insulin glargine 100 U/mL, in Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes. We found that iGlarLixi improved glycaemic control and was well tolerated in most individuals, regardless of previously received treatments. These results suggest that iGlarLixi may offer an effective option for improving outcomes in Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes who require treatment intensification.

Use of iGlarLixi for Management of Type 2 Diabetes in Japanese Clinical Practice: SPARTA Japan, a Retrospective Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Many individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) experience suboptimal glycemic control. Treatment intensification options include fixed-ratio combination products containing a basal insulin and a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, such as iGlarLixi (insulin glargine 100 U/mL and lixisenatide). This study aimed to provide real-world evidence of the effect of iGlarLixi in Japanese clinical practice. METHODS: SPARTA Japan was a non-comparative, observational study conducted at 27 institutions in Japan. Anonymized individual-level data from adults with T2D receiving iGlarLixi in routine clinical practice were retrospectively collected. The primary study objective was to assess the impact of iGlarLixi on the change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at 6 months' post-treatment initiation, with preplanned subanalyses to determine the influence of baseline characteristics. Secondary and exploratory endpoints included assessment of the proportion of individuals achieving HbA1c targets, change in body weight, and incidence and severity of hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal events. RESULTS: The full analysis set included 432 individuals, with data available at 6 months for 426. Of the 432 individuals, the mean (SD) age at baseline was 61.6 (12.8) years and the majority had a T2D duration of ≥ 10 years [mean (SD) 13.3 (10.4) years]. At 6 months, HbA1c had significantly decreased versus baseline ( -0.85%; P < 0.0001), with a greater decrease in those aged < 65 years, with a shorter duration of T2D and higher baseline HbA1c. A significant increase in the proportion of participants achieving age-specific HbA1c versus baseline was observed. Mean body weight decreased by 0.5 kg (P = 0.0034 versus baseline). There were few hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal events (in individuals with HbA1c data); no severe hypoglycemic events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this real-world study indicate that iGlarLixi may improve glycemic control without serious adverse events in Japanese individuals with T2D who have suboptimal glycemic control on current treatment regimens and switch to iGlarLixi. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR Trials Registry, UMIN000044126; registered 10 May 2021.

The first medicines for treating diabetes that many individuals with type 2 diabetes receive are administered orally; however, for most individuals, these oral drugs are not enough to achieve blood glucose targets as their disease progresses. Treatment intensification options include adding an injectable therapy, such as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist or basal insulin, or the combination of both, the use of which has been studied extensively and has been shown to be a simple and well-tolerated option. Here, we report the findings of a study that retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of 432 Japanese individuals who took iGlarLixi, which consists of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist lixisenatide and basal insulin glargine 100 U/mL as a fixed-ratio combination (i.e., combined as a single subcutaneous injection), over 6 months of treatment. We found that iGlarLixi improved blood glucose levels in these individuals, and was associated with few hypoglycemia or gastrointestinal adverse events. These results suggest that iGlarLixi may offer an effective option for improving glycemic control in Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes who require treatment intensification because their blood glucose goals have not been achieved with oral drugs alone or co-administered with a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist or basal insulin.

Lipid Droplet Protein PLIN1 Regulates Inflammatory Polarity in Human Macrophages and is Involved in Atherosclerotic Plaque Development by Promoting Stable Lipid Storage.

AIM: Perilipins (PLINs), peripheral lipid droplet (LD) proteins, play important roles in lipid accumulation and maturation in adipocytes. The relationship between PLIN family proteins and macrophage polarization in atherosclerosis has not been elucidated. METHODS: The experiments used tissues from human arteries of 65 patients who had undergone a carotid endarterectomy, and cultured macrophages generated from healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: Plaque immunohistochemistry demonstrated co-expression of PLIN1 and PLIN2 in both symptomatic (n=31) and asymptomatic patients (n=34). PLIN2 mRNA expression increased 3.38-fold in the symptomatic group compared with those from asymptomatic. PLIN1 was not expressed on small LDs at a shorter incubation but was on large LDs at longer incubation with oxidized LDL and VLDL, while PLIN2 was observed after 24 h and increased with a longer incubation in cultured M1 macrophage. In M2 macrophages, PLIN1 was seen as early as 24 h following incubation with VLDL, and LD size increased with longer incubation. PLIN1 overexpression increased the size of LDs in M1 macrophages, even after a short incubation, and reduced the RNA expression of TNFA, MMP2, ABCA1, and ABCG1 versus the M1 control. Conversely, silencing of PLIN1 in M2 macrophages had the opposite effects on LD size and RNA expression. CONCLUSION: There was a relationship between macrophage polarity, cytosolic LD size, and PLIN1/PLIN2 expression levels. PLIN2 was mainly expressed in arterial plaques in symptomatic stroke patients, and associated with the inflammatory phenotype of human macrophages, while PLIN1 expression is closely associated with plaque stability and the anti-inflammatory phenotype.

Add-on imeglimin versus metformin dose escalation regarding glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor plus low-dose metformin: study protocol for a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group comparison study (MEGMI study).

INTRODUCTION: Imeglimin is a novel anti-hyperglycemic drug that improves both insulin resistance and insulin secretion. The effects of imeglimin on glycemic control were confirmed in phase III clinical trials, but little is known about its effectiveness in daily clinical practice settings, especially compared with metformin. Therefore, we aim to clarify the efficacy of imeglimin in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) being treated with a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor plus low-dose metformin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, prospective, open-label, parallel-group trial. Seventy participants with T2D treated with a DPP-4 inhibitor plus metformin (500-1000 mg/day) for more than 12 weeks and a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 52-85 mmol/mol (7.0%-9.9%) will be randomized to receive add-on imeglimin 1000 mg two times per day or metformin dose escalation for 24 weeks. Biochemical analyses and physical assessments will be performed at baseline and at the end of the study, and adverse events will be recorded. The primary endpoint is the change in HbA1c after 24 weeks. The secondary endpoints comprise the changes in blood pressure, pulse rate, body weight, abdominal circumference, and other laboratory parameters; the relationship between improvements of biological parameters including glycemic control and patient background characteristics; and side effects. RESULTS: This study will reveal new insights into the incorporation of imeglimin into the diabetes treatment strategy. CONCLUSIONS: This will be the first randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of adding imeglimin versus metformin dose escalation on glycemic control in patients with T2D. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: jRCT1011220005.

Effects of pemafibrate on lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia: A multi-center prospective observational study, the PARM-T2D study.

AIMS: Pemafibrate, a novel selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor modulator, was shown to ameliorate lipid abnormalities in a phase III clinical trial of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, its efficacy has not been demonstrated in real-world clinical practice in patients with T2DM. METHODS: We performed a multi-center prospective observational study of the use of pemafibrate in patients with T2DM and hypertriglyceridemia versus conventional therapy, with or without a fibrate. The primary outcomes were the changes from baseline in fasting serum triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations at week 52. RESULTS: We recruited 650 patients, and data from 504 (252 per group) were analyzed after propensity score matching. In the pemafibrate group, both TG and HDL-C showed significant improvements (p < 0.001), and several indices reflecting TG-rich lipoproteins, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol particle size, and liver enzyme elevations were significantly ameliorated compared with the control group, but there was no difference in glycemic control markers. One of the key secondary endpoints showed that switching from conventional fibrates to pemafibrate improved eGFR but increased uric acid concentration. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with T2DM, pemafibrate has superior effects on lipid profile as well as liver and renal dysfunction to conventional fibrates.

The agreement between measured HbA1c and optimized target HbA1c based on the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System 8-items (DASC-8): A cross-sectional study of elderly patients with diabetes.

AIM: To investigate the achievement of individualized target HbA1c based on the Japanese guideline after geriatric assessment with the Dementia Assessment Sheet for Community-based Integrated Care System 8-items (DASC-8) and to evaluate patient characteristics acting as barriers to achieving the target HbA1c in elderly outpatients with diabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 303 Japanese outpatients aged ≥65 years with diabetes. Their health status was measured using the DASC-8. The target HbA1c was optimized for each patient by the guideline based on the DASC-8 score and use of drugs potentially associated with severe hypoglycemia. Patient characteristics related to the agreement between measured HbA1c and target HbA1c were extracted by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 73.0 years and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.2 kg/m2 . The agreement between measured HbA1c and target HbA1c was 43.9% (95% confidence interval: 38.4%-50.0%). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the agreement in patients with drugs potentially associated with severe hypoglycemia was significantly lower than in those without these drugs (37.8% vs. 60.5%, P = 0.0004). In patients with these drugs, higher BMI (P = 0.0271) and higher fasting plasma glucose (P = 0.0034) were independent related factors for measured HbA1c being higher than target HbA1c. Vulnerable elderly patients (P = 0.0116) and not taking sodium glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor (P = 0.0186) were independent related factors for inappropriately lower HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: The agreement between measured HbA1c and target HbA1c was low in elderly patients with diabetes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 560-567.

Effects of obesity on CC16 and their potential role in overweight/obese asthma.

INTRODUCTION: Club cell secretory protein-16 (CC16) is a major anti-inflammatory protein expressed in the airway; however, the potential role of CC16 on overweight/obese asthma has not been assessed. In this study, we examined whether obesity reduces airway/circulatory CC16 levels using experimental and epidemiological studies. Then, we explored the mediatory role of CC16 in the relationship of overweight/obesity with clinical asthma measures. METHODS: Circulating CC16 levels were assessed by ELISA in three independent human populations, including two groups of healthy and general populations and asthma patients. The percentage of cells expressing club markers in obese vs. non-obese mice and human airways was determined by immunohistochemistry. A causal mediation analysis was conducted to determine whether circulatory CC16 acted as a mediator between overweight/obesity and clinical asthma measures. RESULTS: BMI was significantly and monotonously associated with reduced circulating CC16 levels in all populations. The percentage of CC16-expressing cells was reduced in the small airways of both mice and humans with obesity. Finally, mediation analysis revealed significant contributions of circulatory CC16 in the association between BMI and clinical asthma measures; 21.8% of its total effect in BMI's association with airway hyperresponsiveness of healthy subjects (p = 0.09), 26.4% with asthma severity (p = 0.030), and 23% with the required dose of inhaled corticosteroid (p = 0.042). In logistic regression analysis, 1-SD decrease in serum CC16 levels of asthma patients was associated with 87% increased odds for high dose ICS requirement (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that airway/circulating CC16, which is inversely associated with BMI, may mediate development and severity in overweight/obese asthma.

Luseogliflozin preserves the pancreatic beta-cell mass and function in db/db mice by improving mitochondrial function.

We aimed to determine the mechanism by which the sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, luseogliflozin, preserves pancreatic beta-cell mass and function in db/db mice. Six-week-old db/db mice were fed to standard chow or standard chow containing 0.01% luseogliflozin. After 4 weeks, DNA microarray analysis, real-time PCR analysis, and measurement of mitochondrial respiratory capacity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were performed using isolated islets. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopic analysis were performed using pancreatic tissues. Metabolites extracted from the islets were measured by capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry. The expression of genes involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and electron transport chain was upregulated by luseogliflozin. Luseogliflozin improved the mitochondrial complex II-linked oxidative phosphorylation capacity and reduced ROS generation. Mitochondrial morphology was normally maintained by luseogliflozin. Luseogliflozin increased NK6 homeobox 1 (NKX6.1) expression and TCA cycle metabolites. Relief of glucotoxicity by luseogliflozin may involve lower mitochondrial ROS generation and an improvement in complex II-linked mitochondrial respiration. Reducing ROS generation through preventing complex II damage likely increases NKX6.1 expression and ameliorate glucose metabolism in the TCA cycle, contributing to the protection of pancreatic beta-cells. Protection of complex II in pancreatic beta-cells represents a novel therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes.

Effects of switching from a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor to oral semaglutide on glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes: protocol for a multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, parallel-group comparison study (the SWITCH-SEMA 2 study).

INTRODUCTION: Incretin-based therapies exert antihyperglycaemic effects in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a blood glucose concentration-dependent fashion. The first-in-class oral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist semaglutide has potent effects on glycaemic and weight control, but little evidence has been published for the superiority of semaglutide for glycaemic control in patients after switching from a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. Therefore, we aim to verify the efficacy of oral semaglutide in patients with T2D being treated with a DPP-4 inhibitor. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, parallel-group trial. In total, 172 participants with T2D who have been treated with a DPP-4 inhibitor for more than 12 weeks and who have a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 7.0%-9.9% will be randomised to continue using their existing DPP-4 inhibitor or switch to oral semaglutide for 24 weeks. Biochemical analyses and physical assessment will be performed, and adverse events will be recorded at baseline and at the end of the study. The primary endpoint will be the effect of oral semaglutide on the change in HbA1c. The secondary endpoints will be the mean changes in body weight, abdominal circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), pulse rate, the relationship between improvement of metabolic parameters including HbA1c and patient background characteristics, side effects and other laboratory parameters. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This will be the first study to compare the effects of switching from a DPP-4 inhibitor to oral semaglutide on glycaemic control in patients with T2D. The results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences. Hokkaido University Certified Review Board (CRB no.1180001) has approved the protocol (no. 020-013). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000045270 in the University Hospital Medical Information Network; jRCT1011210032 in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials.

Direct visualization of glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion by fluorescent fusion proteins.

Live-cell imaging with fluorescent proteins (FPs) is a powerful tool for investigating the exocytosis processes of hormones. However, the secretion process of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has not been visualized by FPs, which might be because tagging FPs inhibits GLP-1 synthesis through the post-translational processing from proglucagon. Here, we have developed FP-tagged GLP-1 by inserting FPs into the middle of GLP-1 and adding the proglucagon signal peptide. Confocal imaging confirmed that GLP-1 fused to FPs with high folding efficiency showed granular structure, in which secretory vesicle markers colocalized. The fluorescence intensity of FP in the culture supernatant from cells treated with KCl or forskolin was significantly increased compared with those from untreated cells. Furthermore, FP-tagged GLP-1 enables direct visualization of stimulation-dependent exocytosis of GLP-1 at a single granule resolution with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. FP-tagged GLP-1 might facilitate the screening of GLP-1 secretagogues and the discovery of new antidiabetic drugs.

A randomized trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of once-daily liraglutide 1.8 mg in Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes exhibiting an inadequate response to liraglutide 0.9 mg.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: The present trial compared the efficacy and safety of once-daily liraglutide 1.8 mg with liraglutide 0.9 mg in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes to assess the incremental effects of liraglutide 1.8 mg in those who exhibited an inadequate response to 0.9 mg. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This 26-week randomized trial (NCT02505334) enrolled Japanese adults with type 2 diabetes across 47 sites in Japan. Participants with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ) 7.5-10.0% were included and those on insulin treatment were excluded. Participants discontinued pre-trial oral antidiabetic drug and initiated liraglutide 0.9 mg for a 12-week run-in period, after which those with HbA1c ≥7.0% (466) were randomized (1:1) to two treatment arms: continuing liraglutide 0.9 mg or dose escalation to 1.8 mg. The change from baseline in HbA1c (primary endpoint) and treatment-emergent adverse events (secondary endpoint) were measured at the end of 26 weeks. RESULTS: After 26 weeks of treatment, liraglutide 1.8 mg was more effective compared with 0.9 mg in lowering HbA1c levels, with an estimated treatment difference of -0.40% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.55, -0.24; P < 0.0001). Liraglutide 1.8 mg was associated with significantly greater odds of participants reaching HbA1c <7.0% (estimated odds ratio [EOR] 3.87; 95% CI 2.12, 7.08; P < 0.0001) and ≤6.5% (EOR 3.78; 95% CI 1.36, 10.54; P = 0.0109) compared with 0.9 mg. Both doses were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide 1.8 mg had better efficacy in improving HbA1c levels after 26 weeks treatment vs 0.9 mg in Japanese patients, with both doses well tolerated.

Lymphocytic panhypophysitis and anti-rabphilin-3A antibody with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

PURPOSE: To explore the clinical significance of anti-rabphillin-3A antibody for the differential diagnosis of lymphocytic panhypophysitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 58-year-old Japanese man developed uveitis of unknown cause in 2017. In 2019, he became aware of polyuria. In August 2020, he noticed transient diplopia and was diagnosed with right abducens nerve palsy. At the same time, he complained of fatigue and loss of appetite. Head magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated enlargement of the pituitary stalk and pituitary gland, corresponding to hypophysitis. Hormone stimulation tests showed blunted responses with respect to all anterior pituitary hormones. Central diabetes insipidus was diagnosed on the basis of a hypertonic saline loading test. Taking these findings together, a diagnosis of panhypopituitarism was made. Computed tomography showed enlargement of hilar lymph nodes. Biopsies of the hilar lymph nodes revealed non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas that were consistent with sarcoidosis. Biopsy of the anterior pituitary revealed mild lymphocyte infiltration in the absence of IgG4-positive cells, non-caseating granulomas, or neoplasia. Western blotting revealed the presence of anti-rabphilin-3A antibody, supporting a diagnosis of lymphocytic panhypophysitis. Because the patient had no visual impairment or severe uveitis, we continued physiological hormone replacement therapy and topical steroid therapy for the uveitis. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of anti-rabphilin 3A antibody positive lymphocytic panhypophysitis comorbid with sarcoidosis, diagnosed by both pituitary and hilar lymph node biopsy. The utility of anti-rabphilin-3A antibody for the differential diagnosis of hypophysitis like this case should be clarified with further case studies.

Switching from Insulin Degludec plus Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor to Insulin Degludec/Liraglutide Improves Glycemic Variability in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Preliminary Prospective Observation Study.

Incretins reduce glycemic variability (GV) in patients with type 2 diabetes, but it is unknown whether switching from a combination of basal insulin and a DPP-4 inhibitor to insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) improves GV. We performed an exploratory prospective observational study to compare the effect of IDegLira and the combination on GV. We recruited hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes who had stable glycemic control with insulin degludec (≤16 units/day) and taking a DPP-4 inhibitor. GV was analyzed using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) before and after switching the medication to IDegLira. The principal endpoint was the change in mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE). Other indices of GV and CGM parameters were analyzed as the secondary endpoints. Fifteen participants were enrolled and 12 completed the study. In these participants, the DPP-4 inhibitor and insulin degludec were discontinued, and the equivalent dose of IDegLira was commenced. Switching to IDegLira significantly improved MAGE from 74.9 (60.3, 97.7) mg/dL to 64.8 (52.0, 78.2) mg/dL (P < 0.05), as well as other indices of GV and 24-hour mean blood glucose concentration. Analysis of the ambulatory glucose profile showed marked reductions in postprandial glucose concentration. Nocturnal glucose concentration was similar under the two treatment regimens. IDegLira improved GV as well as the mean and the postprandial glucose concentration by switching from insulin degludec plus DPP-4 inhibitor combination. IDegLira might be beneficial for patients being treated with low-dose basal insulin.

Glucokinase activation leads to an unsustained hypoglycaemic effect with hepatic triglyceride accumulation in db/db mice.

AIM: To investigate how subchronic administration of a glucokinase activator (GKA) results in attenuation of the hypoglycaemic effect in the diabetic condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six-week-old db/db mice were fed standard chow containing a GKA or the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor ipragliflozin for 1, 6, 14 or 28 days. We performed histological evaluation and gene expression analysis of the pancreatic islets and liver after each treatment and compared the results to those in untreated mice. RESULTS: The unsustained hypoglycaemic effect of GKAs was reproduced in db/db mice in conjunction with significant hepatic fat accumulation. The initial reactions to treatment with the GKA in the liver were upregulation of the gene expression of carbohydrate response element-binding protein beta (Chrebp-b) and downregulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pepck) on day 1. Subsequently, the initial changes in Chrebp-b and Pepck disappeared and increases in the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, were observed. There were no significant changes in the pancreatic ß cells nor in hepatic insulin signalling. CONCLUSIONS: The GKA showed an unsustained hypoglycaemic effect and promoted hepatic fat accumulation in db/db mice. Dynamic changes in the expression of hepatic genes involved in lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis could affect the unsustained hypoglycaemic effect of the GKA despite no changes in pancreatic ß-cell function and mass.

Do the benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors exceed the risks in patients with type 1 diabetes?

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are well-established means of improving glycemia and preventing cardio-renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, their efficacy and safety have yet to be fully characterized in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We studied patients with T1D who regularly attended one of five diabetes centers and treated with an SGLT2i (ipragliflozin or dapagliflozin) for >52 weeks, and the changes in HbA1c, body mass, insulin dose, and laboratory data were retrospectively evaluated and adverse events (AEs) recorded during December 2018 to April 2021. A total of 216 patients with T1D were enrolled during the period. Of these, 42 were excluded owing to short treatment periods and 15 discontinued their SGLT2i. The mean changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass, and insulin dose were -0.4%, -2.1 kg, and -9.0%, respectively. The change in HbA1c was closely associated with the baseline HbA1c (p < 0.001), but not with the baseline body mass or renal function. The basal and bolus insulin doses decreased by 18.2% and 12.6%, respectively, in participants with a baseline HbA1c <8%. The most frequent AE was genital infection (2.8%), followed by diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA; 1.4%). None of the participants experienced severe hypoglycemic events. In conclusion, the administration of an SGLT2i in addition to intensive insulin treatment in patients with T1D improves glycemic control and body mass, without increasing the incidence of hypoglycemia or DKA.