Effect of preceding drug therapy on the renal and cardiovascular outcomes of combined sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

AIM: To conduct a post hoc subgroup analysis of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from the RECAP study, who were treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) combination therapy, focusing only on those patients who had chronic kidney disease (CKD), to examine whether the composite renal outcome differed between those who received SGLT2 inhibitor treatment first and those who received a GLP-1RA first. METHODS: We included 438 patients with CKD (GLP-1RA-first group, n = 223; SGLT2 inhibitor-first group, n = 215) from the 643 T2D patients in the RECAP study. The incidence of the composite renal outcome, defined as progression to macroalbuminuria and/or a ≥50% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), was analysed using a propensity score (PS)-matched model. Furthermore, we calculated the win ratio for these composite renal outcomes, which were weighted in the following order: (1) both a ≥50% decrease in eGFR and progression to macroalbuminuria; (2) a decrease in eGFR of ≥50% only; and (3) progression to macroalbuminuria only. RESULTS: Using the PS-matched model, 132 patients from each group were paired. The incidence of renal composite outcomes did not differ between the two groups (GLP-1RA-first group, 10%; SGLT2 inhibitor-first group, 17%; odds ratio 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85 to 4.26; p = 0.12). The win ratio of the GLP-1RA-first group versus the SGLT2 inhibitor-first group was 1.83 (95% CI 1.71 to 1.95; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although the renal composite outcome did not differ between the two groups, the win ratio of the GLP-1RA-first group versus the SGLT2 inhibitor-first group was significant. These results suggest that, in GLP-1RA and SGLT2 inhibitor combination therapy, the addition of an SGLT2 inhibitor to baseline GLP-1RA treatment may lead to more favourable renal outcomes.

Influence of the combination of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists on eGFR decline in type 2 diabetes: post-hoc analysis of RECAP study.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that both SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1Ra) have protective effects in patients with diabetic kidney disease. Combination therapy with SGLT2i and GLP1Ra is commonly used in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We previously reported that in combination therapy of SGLT2i and GLP1Ra, the effect on the renal composite outcome did not differ according to the preceding drug. However, it remains unclear how the initiation of combination therapy is associated with the renal function depending on the preceding drug. In this post hoc analysis, we analyzed a total of 643 T2D patients (GLP1Ra-preceding group, n = 331; SGLT2i-preceding group, n = 312) and investigated the differences in annual eGFR decline. Multiple imputation and propensity score matching were performed to compare the annual eGFR decline. The reduction in annual eGFR decline in the SGLT2i-preceding group (pre: -3.5 ± 9.4 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, post: -0.4 ± 6.3 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p < 0.001), was significantly smaller after the initiation of GLP1Ra, whereas the GLP1Ra-preceding group tended to slow the eGFR decline but not to a statistically significant extent (pre: -2.0 ± 10.9 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, post: -1.8 ± 5.4 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p = 0.83) after the initiation of SGLT2i. After the addition of GLP1Ra to SGLT2i-treated patients, slower annual eGFR decline was observed. Our data raise the possibility that the renal benefits-especially annual eGFR decline-of combination therapy with SGLT2i and GLP1Ra may be affected by the preceding drug.

Pretreatment body mass index affects achievement of target blood pressure with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2-I) shows excellent antihypertensive effects in addition to its hypoglycemic effects. However, whether body mass index (BMI) affects the antihypertensive effect of SGLT2-I remains unknown. We investigated the impact of baseline BMI on the achievement of target blood pressure (BP) with SGLT2-I treatment in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We retrospectively evaluated 447 Japanese patients with T2DM and CKD treated with SGLT2-I for at least 1 year. The primary outcome was achieving the target BP (<130/80 mmHg) after SGLT2-I treatment. Patients were divided into two groups according to a baseline BMI of 29.1 determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis and analyzed in a cohort model with propensity score matching. In each group, 130 patients were compared by propensity score matching. The target BP achievement rate was significantly higher in the BMI < 29.1 group than in the BMI ≥ 29.1 group (34% and 21%, respectively, p = 0.03). The odds ratio for achieving the target BP in the BMI ≥ 29.1 group was 0.50 (95% confidence interval, 0.28-0.90, p = 0.02). The BMI < 29.1 group had significantly lower systolic and diastolic BPs after SGLT2-I treatment than the BMI ≥ 29.1 group. Only the BMI < 29.1 group was showed a significant decrease in the logarithmic albumin-to-creatinine ratio from baseline after SGLT2-I treatment. In patients with T2DM and CKD, baseline BMI was associated with the antihypertensive effects of SGLT2-I. Patients in the lower baseline BMI group were more likely to achieve the target BP after SGLT2-I treatment. Pretreatment BMI affects the antihypertensice effect of SGLT2 inhibirors in patients with T2DM and CKD.

Renoprotective effects of combination treatment with sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus according to preceding medication.

AIMS: Combination therapy with sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors (SGLT2is) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1Ras) is now of interest in clinical practice. The present study evaluated the effects of the preceding drug type on the renal outcome in clinical practice. METHODS: We retrospectively extracted type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who had received both SGLT2i and GLP1Ra treatment for at least 1 year. A total of 331 patients in the GLP1Ra-preceding group and 312 patients in the SGLT2i-preceding group were ultimately analyzed. Either progression of the albuminuria status and/or a ≥30% decrease in the eGFR was set as the primary renal composite outcome. The analysis using propensity score with inverse probability weighting was performed for the outcome. RESULTS: The incidences of the renal composite outcome in the SGLT2i- and GLP1Ra-preceding groups were 28% and 25%, respectively, with an odds ratio [95% confidence interval] of 1.14 [0.75, 1.73] (p = .54). A logistic regression analysis showed that the mean arterial pressure (MAP) at baseline, the logarithmic value of the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio at baseline, and the change in MAP were independent factors influencing the renal composite outcome. CONCLUSION: With combination therapy of SGLT2i and GLP1Ra, the preceding drug did not affect the renal outcome.

The concomitant use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors improved the renal outcome of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists.

Aims: This study aimed to clarify the renal influence of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1Ras) with or without sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) on Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: We retrospectively extracted 547 patients with T2DM who visited the clinics of members of Kanagawa Physicians Association. The progression of albuminuria status and/or a ≥ 15% decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) per year was set as the renal composite outcome. Propensity score matching was performed to compare GLP1Ra-treated patients with and without SGLT2i. Results: After matching, 186 patients in each group were compared. There was no significant difference of the incidence of the renal composite outcomes (17% vs. 20%, P = 0.50); however, the annual decrease in the eGFR was significantly smaller and the decrease in the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio was larger in GLP1Ra-treated patients with the concomitant use of SGLT2is than in those without it (-1.1 ±â€…5.0 vs. -2.8 ±â€…5.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = 0.001; and -0.08 ±â€…0.61 vs. 0.05 ±â€…0.52, P = 0.03, respectively). Conclusion: The concomitant use of SGLT2i with GLP1Ra improved the annual decrease in the eGFR and the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio in Japanese patients with T2DM.

Comparison of renal outcomes between sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists.

AIMS: This study aimed to clarify the differences in how sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1Ra) influence kidney function in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: We retrospectively built two databases of patients with T2DM who visited the clinics of members of Kanagawa Physicians Association. We defined the renal composite outcome as either progression of albuminuria status and/or > 15% deterioration in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) per year. We used propensity score matching to compare patient outcomes after SGLT2i and GLP1Ra treatments. RESULTS: The incidence of renal composite outcomes was significantly lower in SGLT2i-treated patients than in GLP1Ra-treated patients (n = 15[11%] and n = 27[20%], respectively, P = 0.001). Annual eGFR changes (mL/min/1.73 m2/year) between the two groups differed significantly (-1.8 [95 %CI, -2.7, -0.9] in SGLT2i-treated patients and - 3.4 [95 %CI, -4.6, -2.2] in GLP1Ra-treated patients, P = 0.0049). The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio changed owing to a significant interaction between the presence or absence of a decrease in systolic blood pressure and the difference in treatments (P < 0.04). CONCLUSION: Renal composite outcome incidence was lower in SGLT2i-treated patients than in GLP1Ra-treated patients.

Blood pressure after treatment with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors influences renal composite outcome: Analysis using propensity score-matched models.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) improve renal outcome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but the mechanism is not fully understood. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the association of achieved blood pressure with renal outcomes in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with chronic kidney disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed 624 Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with chronic kidney disease taking SGLT2i for >1 year. The patients were classified as those with post-treatment mean arterial pressure (MAP) of ≥92 mmHg (n = 344) and those with MAP of <92 mmHg (n = 280) for propensity score matching (1:1 nearest neighbor match with 0.04 of caliper value and no replacement). The end-point was a composite of progression of albuminuria or a decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate by ≥15% per year. RESULTS: By propensity score matching, a matched cohort model was constructed, including 201 patients in each group. The incidence of renal composite outcome was significantly lower among patients with MAP of <92 mmHg than among patients with MAP of ≥92 mmHg (n = 11 [6%] vs n = 26 [13%], respectively, P = 0.001). The change in estimated glomerular filtration rate was similar in the two groups; however, the change in the albumin-to-creatinine ratio was significantly larger in patients with MAP of <92 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: In Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with chronic kidney disease, blood pressure after SGLT2i administration influences the renal composite outcome. Blood pressure management is important, even during treatment with SGLT2i.

Retrospective Analysis of the Renoprotective Effects of Long-Term Use of Six Types of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Aim: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) provide renal protection in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to elucidate the renal effects of long-term use of six types of SGLT2is in Japanese patients with T2DM and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials and Methods: The Kanagawa Physicians Association maintains a registry of patients who visit their 31 clinics. We retrieved clinical data of patients with T2DM and CKD who were prescribed with SGLT2is for >1 year. Results: A total of 763 patients with a median treatment duration of 33 months were included. The logarithmic value of urine albumin-creatinine ratio (LNACR) decreased significantly from 1.60 ± 0.65 to 1.51 ± 0.67. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the LNACR at the initiation of treatment, change in (Δ) diastolic blood pressure, and Δ hemoglobin A1c were independently correlated with ΔLNACR (P < 0.001). The decrease in the LNACR was significantly smaller in the patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) [mL/(min ·1.73 m2)] of <60 (P < 0.05). The eGFR decreased from 77.4 ± 22.3 to 72.7 ± 22.5 mL/(min ·1.73 m2) (P < 0.001). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the LNACR at the initiation of treatment, Δbody weight at the previous survey, ΔeGFR at the previous survey, and the eGFR at the initiation of treatment correlated independently with ΔeGFR during the maintenance period (P < 0.001). Greater changes in the eGFR during the maintenance period were observed in the patients with macroalbuminuria or eGFR of <60 (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The study confirmed that the long-term use of six types of SGLT2i improved the albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), although the eGFR gradually decreased during the treatment. The change in the ACR was significantly smaller in the patients with eGFR of <60 mL/(min ·1.73 m2) than in those with eGFR of >60 mL/(min ·1.73 m2). However, this was a retrospective observational study; further studies are needed to formulate final conclusions.

Relation between Blood Pressure Management and Renal Effects of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

AIM: The renoprotective effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors is thought to be due, at least in part, to a decrease in blood pressure. The aim of this study was to determine the renal effects of these inhibitors in low blood pressure patients and the dependence of such effect on blood pressure management status. METHODS: The subjects of this retrospective study were 740 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease who had been managed at the clinical facilities of the Kanagawa Physicians Association. Data on blood pressure management status and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio were analyzed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Changes in the logarithmic value of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio in 327 patients with blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg at the initiation of treatment and in 413 patients with BP above 130/80 mmHg were -0.13 ± 1.05 and -0.24 ± 0.97, respectively. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups by analysis of covariance models after adjustment of the logarithmic value of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio at initiation of treatment. Changes in the logarithmic value of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio in patients with mean blood pressure of <102 mmHg (n = 537) and those with ≥102 mmHg (n = 203) at the time of the survey were -0.25 ± 1.02 and -0.03 ± 0.97, respectively, and the difference was significant in analysis of covariance models even after adjustment for the logarithmic value of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio at initiation of treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed that blood pressure management status after treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors influences the extent of change in urinary albumin-creatinine ratio. Stricter blood pressure management is needed to allow the renoprotective effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors.

Renal effects of sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with home blood pressure monitoring.

Decrease in blood pressure contributes to the reno-protective effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors; however, its relationship with home monitoring of blood pressure is unclear. We retrospectively analyzed 101 visiting members of the Kanagawa Physicians Association with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease who were taking sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and who monitored blood pressure at home for a median treatment period of 14 months. At baseline, the mean value of HbA1c was 59.3 mmol/mol (7.6%) and the median value of albumin-creatinine ratio was 30.9 mg/gCr that was evaluated in 88 patients. The mean blood pressure both at office and home significantly decreased, and there was a significant positive correlation between the change in albumin-creatinine ratio and both blood pressures. Controlled hypertension, masked hypertension, white coat hypertension, and sustained hypertension were observed in 10.9%, 13.9%, 12.9%, and 62.4% of patients at the initiation of therapy, which changed to 10.9%, 16.8%, 17.8%, and 54.5% at the time of the survey, respectively. In conclusion, management of blood pressure both at office and home was found to be important for the reno-protective effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors along with strict blood pressure management.

Retrospective analysis of effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with chronic kidney disease.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the renal effects of the glucose-lowering SGLT2 inhibitors in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with chronic kidney disease. METHODS: The Kanagawa Physicians Association maintains a registry of patients who visit their 31 clinics. Clinical data of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with chronic kidney disease, who were prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors in addition to other treatments, were collected and analysed. RESULTS: SGLT2i was associated with a fall in HbA1c from 64.1 ± 16.7 mmol/mol (8.0 ± 1.5%) to 56.5 ± 12.9 mmol/mol (7.3 ± 1.2%) ( p < 0.01) in 869 analysed cases, a decrease in urine albumin-creatinine ratio from a median of 47.1 to 41.1 mg/gCr, and decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate from 77.7 ± 23.9 to 75.0 ± 23.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 ( p < 0.01). The effect on albumin-creatinine ratio was independent of age or stage of estimated glomerular filtration; however, there was a significant negative correlation between albumin-creatinine ratio at the initiation of SGLT2 inhibitor and change in ACR. Multiple linear regression analysis identified use of empagliflozin, ß-blockers, and sulphonylureas, Δsystolic blood pressure at office, serum Cr and albumin-creatinine ratio value at initiation of SGLT2 inhibitor as independent and significant determinants of change in ACR. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the beneficial renal effects of SGLT2 inhibitor in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with chronic kidney disease, similar to those reported in large-scale clinical trials conducted in Western countries.

A variant within the FTO confers susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

To explore novel genetic loci for diabetic nephropathy, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for diabetic nephropathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. We analyzed the association of 5,768,242 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, 2,380 nephropathy cases and 5,234 controls. We further performed GWAS for diabetic nephropathy using independent Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, 429 cases and 358 controls and the results of these two GWAS were combined with an inverse variance meta-analysis (stage-1), followed by a de novo genotyping for the candidate SNP loci (p < 1.0 × 10(-4)) in an independent case-control study (Stage-2; 1,213 cases and 1,298 controls). After integrating stage-1 and stage-2 data, we identified one SNP locus, significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy; rs56094641 in FTO, P = 7.74 × 10(-10). We further examined the association of rs56094641 with diabetic nephropathy in independent Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (902 cases and 1,221 controls), and found that the association of this locus with diabetic nephropathy remained significant after integrating all association data (P = 7.62 × 10(-10)). We have identified FTO locus as a novel locus for conferring susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Detection of Autonomic Nervous System Abnormalities in Diabetic Patients by 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between 24-hr blood pressure (BP) fluctuations and autonomic nervous system dysfunction in diabetic patients using non-invasive ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring (ABPM) system. METHODS: The subjects were 39 diabetic patients free of cardiovascular diseases. 24-hr BP was monitored by a non-invasive ABPM system. The relationships among 24-hr BP fluctuations and various clinical parameters relevant to diabetes and hypertension were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients were divided into the diurnal hypertension (DH, n=4), diurnal and nocturnal hypertension (DNH, n=9), normotension (N, n=14), and nocturnal hypertension (NH, n=12) groups. DH and/or NH was observed in 25 (64%) patients: 13 had DH (≥135/85 mmHg), 21 had NH (≥120/70 mmHg), and 9 had both. Furthermore, 4 patients with DH but no NH (diurnal/nocturnal+/ - ); 9 (+/+); 14 ( - / - ); and 12 ( - /+). The R-R interval coefficient of variation on the EKG (CV-RR) was significantly different among the groups (N>NH>DNH>DH). CONCLUSION: Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in diabetic patients had a negative influence on 24-hr fluctuations in BP. Monitoring nighttime hypertension and daily BP variation using ABPM diabetic is a potentially useful approach for identifying autonomic nervous system dysfunction and associated abnormal BP patterns that cannot be detected by routine check-ups.

Exercise Therapy for Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Superior Efficacy of Activity Monitors over Pedometers.

We compared the efficacy of activity monitor (which displays exercise intensity and number of steps) versus that of pedometer in exercise therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes. The study subjects were divided into the activity monitor group (n = 92) and pedometer group (n = 95). The primary goal was improvement in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The exercise target was set at 8,000 steps/day and 20 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (≥3.5 metabolic equivalents). The activity monitor is equipped with a triple-axis accelerometer sensor capable of measuring medium-intensity walking duration, number of steps, walking distance, calorie consumption, and total calorie consumption. The pedometer counts the number of steps. Blood samples for laboratory tests were obtained during the visits. The first examination was conducted at the start of the study and repeated at 2 and 6 months. A significant difference in the decrease in HbA1c level was observed between the two groups at 2 months. The results suggest that the use of activity level monitor that displays information on exercise intensity, in addition to the number of steps, is useful in exercise therapy as it enhances the concept of exercise therapy and promotes lowering of HbA1c in diabetic patients.

The Prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency in Japanese Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy.

Objective The purpose of this study was to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in Japanese patients with diabetic nephropathy and determine the relationship between 25(OH)D concentrations and various factors. Methods The study subjects included 442 patients with type 2 diabetes. Their serum levels of creatinine, HbA1c, intact-parathyroid hormone, urinary albumin, 25(OH)D, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] were measured and their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined. The patients were divided into four groups based on the risk for progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD): low, moderate, high, very high, based on their eGFR and their level of albuminuria. Results The median 25(OH)D level was 14.6 ng/mL; 11% of the patients had 25(OH)D deficiency (<10 ng/mL), and 2% of patients had active vitamin D deficiency, as defined by a 1,25(OH)2D level of <22 pg/mL. The serum 25(OH)D level was correlated with the serum 1,25(OH)2D level in patients with a very high risk for CKD, but not in those with a moderate or high risk for CKD. Conclusion Although the vitamin D levels of the Japanese patients with diabetic nephropathy and CKD were low, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, as defined by the 1,25(OH)2D level, was low. Albuminuria, younger age, and female gender were associated with a low 25(OH)D level. The serum level of 25(OH)D should be monitored to assess the vitamin D status of patients with nephropathy and CKD.

Effects of liraglutide, a human glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue, on body weight, body fat area and body fat-related markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of six-month liraglutide treatment on body weight, visceral and subcutaneous fat and related markers in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: A total of 59 patients with type 2 diabetes were treated with liraglutide (0.3 mg/day for ≥1 week and then 0.6 mg/day for ≥1 week, gradually increasing the dose to 0.9 mg/day) for six months. Changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, the fasting blood glucose level, visceral and subcutaneous fat areas, hepatic and renal CT values and the associated markers proinsulin, adiponectin and pentraxin (PTX) 3 were measured. RESULTS: The study included one treatment-naïve patient, 10 patients who were switched from oral antidiabetic drugs and 35 patients who were switched from insulin therapy. At six months after treatment, the preprandial blood glucose levels were higher (148.8±40.5 mg/dL) than the baseline values (130.8±36.7, p<0.05); however, body weight, BMI and abdominal circumference were lower, and the liver/kidney CT ratio improved significantly from 1.64±0.44 at baseline to 1.78±0.42. An analysis of the patients who were not pretreated with insulin resistance ameliorators showed that six months of liraglutide treatment significantly decreased the subcutaneous but not visceral fat areas, significantly decreased the serum adiponectin levels and significantly increased the serum PTX3 levels. CONCLUSION: In addition to its glucose-lowering effects, liraglutide exhibits weight loss promotion actions, reducing subcutaneous fat areas in particular. The weight and total fat area reduction properties of liraglutide are likely to be beneficial when this medication is used in combination with other oral antidiabetic drugs and insulin.

Replication study for the association of 3 SNP loci identified in a genome-wide association study for diabetic nephropathy in European type 1 diabetes with diabetic nephropathy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: A recent genome-wide association study for diabetic nephropathy in European type 1 diabetes identified 3 candidate loci for diabetic nephropathy. In this study, we examined the association of the 3 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci with susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We genotyped 3 SNPs, rs7583877 in AFF3, rs12437854 in the RGMA-MCTP2 locus and rs7588550 in ERBB4, for 2,300 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes [initial study, 1,055 nephropathy cases with overt proteinuria or with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and 1,245 control patients with normoalbuminuria]. The association of these SNPs with diabetic nephropathy was examined by using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We observed a significant association of rs7588550 in ERBB4 with diabetic nephropathy in the Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, although the effect direction was not consistent with that in the European study [p = 0.0126, odds ratio (OR) = 0.79, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.65-0.95]. We further examined the association of rs7588550 with diabetic nephropathy in an independent Japanese cohort (596 nephropathy cases and 311 controls) and observed the same trend of the association with the initial study. We did not observe any association of the remaining 2 SNP loci with diabetic nephropathy in the present Japanese sample. CONCLUSION: The association of SNP loci derived from GWAS in European type 1 diabetes with diabetic nephropathy was not replicated in the Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, although the ERBB4 locus may have some effect also in Japanese type 2 diabetes.

Long-term glycemic control in Japanese type 2 diabetes patients after switching treatment from twice-daily premixed insulin to once daily insulin glargine.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical utility of once-daily insulin glargine, we studied the clinical course of patients who were switched to from twice-daily premixed insulin to once daily insulin glargine. METHODS: The study was conducted at Tokai University hospital in 20 patients with type 2 diabetes, whose treatment regimens were switched from twice-a-day premixed insulin formulation to once-a-day insulin glargine. Changes in various clinical indexes were studied during a 3-year period after the switch. We also compared the well-controlled group (hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c, levels maintained at less than 6.9%) and poorly-controlled group (HbA1c levels at 7.4% or higher). RESULTS: During the 3-year period, all patients showed significant decrease in HbA1c levels and tendency for reduced daily dose of insulin. Although both BMI and insulin dose tended to decrease in the well-controlled group, they increased in the poorly controlled group. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that in type 2 diabetes, once-a-day insulin glargine could be more useful than twice-a-day premixed insulin formulation. Poor adherence was observed in the poorly-controlled group, namely lack of thoroughness in self-monitoring of blood glucose and adherence to diet and exercise therapy, thus emphasizing the importance of diabetes education.

The influence of a single nucleotide polymorphism within CNDP1 on susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy in Japanese women with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Several linkage analyses have mapped a susceptibility locus for diabetic nephropathy to chromosome 18q22-23, and polymorphisms within the carnosine dipeptidase 1 gene (CNDP1), located on 18q22.3, have been shown to be associated with diabetic nephropathy in European subjects with type 2 diabetes. However, the association of this locus with diabetic nephropathy has not been evaluated in the Japanese population. In this study, we examined the association of polymorphisms within the CNDP1/CNDP 2 locus with diabetic nephropathy in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We genotyped a leucine repeat polymorphism (D18S880) that is within CNDP1 along with 29 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CNDP1/CNDP2 locus for 2,740 Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes (1,205 nephropathy cases with overt nephropathy or with end-stage renal disease [ESRD], and 1,535 controls with normoalbuminuria). The association of each polymorphism with diabetic nephropathy was analysed by performing logistic regression analysis. We did not observe any association between D18S880 and diabetic nephropathy in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes. None of the 29 SNPs within the CNDP1/CNDP2 locus were associated with diabetic nephropathy, but a subsequent sex-stratified analysis revealed that 1 SNP in CNDP1 was nominally associated with diabetic nephropathy in women (rs12604675-A; p = 0.005, odds ratio [OR] = 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-2.61). Rs12604675 was associated with overt proteinuria (p = 0.002, OR = 2.18, 95% CI, 1.32-3.60), but not with ESRD in Japanese women with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Rs12604675-A in CNDP1 may confer susceptibility to overt proteinuria in Japanese women with type 2 diabetes.

Efficacy of long-acting insulin analog insulin glargine at high dosage for basal-bolus insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Attempts to achieve strict glycemic control with basal-bolus insulin therapy required increased dosages of neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin. However, high dosage of NPH insulin often occurs nocturnal hypoglycemia. Insulin glargine can simulate normal basal insulin secretion with its flat time-action profiles. To confirm the efficacy of insulin glargine we investigated the type 2 diabetic patients on basal-bolus insulin therapy whose basal insulin was switched from NPH insulin to insulin glargine. METHODS: The Japanese 400 patients with type 2 diabetes on basal-bolus insulin therapy whose basal insulin was switched from NPH insulin to insulin glargine were followed-up. After the switching, the basal insulin was increased with reference to the self-monitoring of blood glucose results, with the aim of maintaining fasting blood sugar (FBS) level at 110 mg/dL, and simultaneously reducing the bolus insulin dosage to maintain the total daily insulin dosage. RESULTS: We were able to lower FBS significantly with almost no serious hypoglycemia. HbA1c also improved significantly. The improvements in FBS and HbA1c levels did not require a significant increase in the total insulin dosage. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that basal insulin supplementation using insulin glargine is a useful method to control not only FBS but also HbA1c.