Impact of the lipase inhibitor orlistat on the human gut microbiota.

Orlistat, an anti-obesity agent, inhibits the metabolism and absorption of dietary fat by inactivating pancreatic lipase in the gut. The effect of orlistat on the gut microbiota of Japanese individuals with obesity is unknown. This study aimed to explore the effects of orlistat on the gut microbiota and fatty acid metabolism of Japanese individuals with obesity. Fourteen subjects with visceral fat obesity (waist circumference ≥85 cm) took orlistat orally at a dose of 60 mg, 3 times a day for 8 weeks. Body weight; waist circumference; visceral fat area; levels of short-chain fatty acids, gut microbiota, fatty acid metabolites in the feces, and gastrointestinal hormones; and adverse events were evaluated. Body weight, waist circumference, and blood leptin concentrations were significantly lower after orlistat treatment (mean ± standard deviation, 77.8 ± 9.1 kg; 91.9 ± 8.7 cm; and 4546 ± 3211 pg/mL, respectively) compared with before treatment (79.4 ± 9.0 kg; 94.4 ± 8.0 cm; and 5881 ± 3526 pg/mL, respectively). Significant increases in fecal levels of fatty acid metabolites (10-hydroxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acid, 10-oxo-cis-12-octadecenoic acid, and 10-oxo-trans-11-octadecenoic acid) were detected. Meanwhile, no significant changes were found in abdominal computed tomography parameters, blood marker levels, or short-chain fatty acid levels in the feces. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that some study subjects had decreased abundance of Firmicutes, increased abundance of Bacteroidetes, and increased α-diversity indices (Chao1 and ACE) after 8 weeks of treatment. The levels of Lactobacillus genus and Lactobacillus gasseri were significantly higher after 8 weeks of treatment. None of the subjects discontinued treatment or experienced severe adverse events. This study suggested that orlistat might alter gut microbiota composition and affect the body through fatty acid metabolites produced by the modified gut bacteria.

Reduction of Excessive Visceral Fat and Safety with 52-Week Administration of Lipase Inhibitor Orlistat in Japanese: Long-Term Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION: Orlistat is an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase and is used as an anti-obesity drug in many countries. However, there are no data available regarding the effects of orlistat on visceral fat (VF) accumulation in Japanese individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of 52 weeks of orlistat administration in Japanese individuals. METHODS: Orlistat 60 mg was administered orally three times daily for 52 weeks to Japanese participants with excessive VF accumulation and without dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension (metabolic diseases). Participants were also counseled to improve their diet and to maintain exercise habits. We defined excessive VF accumulation as a waist circumference (WC) of ≥ 85 cm for males and ≥ 90 cm for females, which corresponds to a VF area of 100 cm2. Adverse reactions, clinical laboratory tests, VF, WC, body weight (BW), etc., were monitored throughout the study period. RESULTS: VF, WC, and BW were significantly reduced at week 52 from baseline; the mean ± standard error rate of change was - 21.52% ± 1.89%, - 4.89% ± 0.45%, and - 5.36% ± 0.56%, respectively, and continued to reduce throughout the 52 weeks; these significantly reduced at whole term compared with baseline. Most adverse reactions were defecation-related symptoms such as oily spotting and flatus with discharge (flatus with small amounts of stool or oil) due to the pharmacologic effects of the lipase inhibitor. These symptoms were mostly mild, reversible, and recognizable by the participants; none were serious or severe. No participants discontinued by medical judgment about adverse reactions, and the drug could be administered continuously. CONCLUSION: VF, WC, and BW were reduced from week 4 to week 52, indicating the effect of long-term orlistat administration. Moreover, it was well tolerated with an acceptable safety profile. Long-term administration of orlistat may be efficacious in reducing VF accumulation with safety when used in combination with diet and exercise. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with the Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center (identifier: JapicCTI-184004). FUNDING: Funding for this study was provided by Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Efficacy and Safety of Lipase Inhibitor Orlistat in Japanese with Excessive Visceral Fat Accumulation: 24-Week, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

INTRODUCTION: Orlistat is an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase and is used as an anti-obesity drug in many countries. However, there are no data available regarding the effects of orlistat on visceral fat accumulation in Japanese subjects. Therefore, this comparative, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of orlistat in Japanese participants with excessive visceral fat accumulation and without dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension ("metabolic diseases"). METHODS: The study population included Japanese participants with excessive visceral fat accumulation (waist circumference ≥ 85 cm in males and ≥ 90 cm in females, which corresponds to a visceral fat area of 100 cm2) and without metabolic diseases. Following a 12-week observation term, participants were randomized to the orlistat 60 mg group (n = 100) or placebo group (n = 100). Both drugs were administered orally three times daily for 24 weeks. Participants were also counseled to improve their diet and to maintain exercise throughout the study. Visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, waist circumference, body weight, body mass index, adverse reactions, laboratory tests, and blood pressure were regularly assessed. RESULTS: Visceral fat area, waist circumference, and body weight were significantly reduced in the orlistat group (mean ± standard error, - 13.50 ± 1.52%, - 2.51 ± 0.25%, and - 2.79 ± 0.30%, respectively) compared to the placebo group (- 5.45 ± 1.50%, - 1.55 ± 0.26%, and - 1.22 ± 0.28%, respectively) at the last assessment. The main adverse reactions were defecation-related symptoms including oily spotting and flatus with discharge, resulting from the pharmacological effects of orlistat. Most adverse reactions were mild, and none were serious or severe. CONCLUSION: Orlistat administration reduced visceral fat area, waist circumference, and body weight in Japanese participants with excessive visceral fat and without metabolic diseases. In addition, safety was confirmed with a tolerable profile. Orlistat may be useful to reduce excessive visceral fat accumulation when used in combination with diet and exercise. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center identifier, JapicCTI-184005. FUNDING: Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Luseogliflozin, a Selective SGLT2 Inhibitor, in Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes With Mild to Severe Renal Impairment.

This open-label, parallel-group, multicenter study aimed to assess the effects of renal impairment on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of luseogliflozin. A single 5-mg dose of luseogliflozin was administered to Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the following groups: G1, normal renal function; G2, mild renal impairment; G3a, mild to moderate impairment; G3b, moderate to severe impairment; G4, severe impairment, based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; ≥90, 60-89, 45-59, 30-44, 15-29 mL/min/1.73 m2 , respectively). While luseogliflozin pharmacokinetics were similar for patients across all renal function groups, the increase in plasma concentration was slightly slower and maximum concentration was slightly reduced in the lower eGFR groups compared with the other groups. However, luseogliflozin pharmacodynamics were affected by the severity of renal impairment. Urinary glucose excretion (UGE) increased in all groups relative to baseline levels, but the degree of UGE increase was smaller in the lower eGFR groups. Moreover, plasma glucose AUC changes from baseline tended to be smaller in the lower eGFR groups. No clear trends were observed between eGFR and incidence, type, or severity of adverse events. Thus, luseogliflozin administration should be carefully considered, as patients with renal impairment may show an insufficient response to treatment.

Luseogliflozin, an SGLT2 Inhibitor, in Japanese Patients With Mild/Moderate Hepatic Impairment: A Pharmacokinetic Study.

This open-label, parallel-group study evaluated the effect of mild and moderate hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of luseogliflozin in Japanese subjects. Thirteen subjects with hepatic impairment (mild, n = 8; moderate, n = 5) and 6 healthy subjects received a single 5-mg dose of luseogliflozin. Serial blood sampling over 72 hours and 24-hour urine collection were done for pharmacokinetic analysis of luseogliflozin and its metabolites and to measure pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, respectively. Demographic characteristics were similar at baseline for both groups. Geometric mean ratios of maximum plasma concentration (Cmax ) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUCinf [90%CI]) of unchanged luseogliflozin were 1.02 (0.790-1.32) and 0.774 (0.580-1.03), respectively, on comparing patients with hepatic impairment with healthy subjects, and 0.939 (0.752-1.17) and 1.00 (0.780-1.28), respectively, in subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment. Although mean plasma concentrations of metabolites were slightly higher in patients with hepatic impairment versus healthy subjects, their time-course plasma concentrations were very low compared with those of unchanged luseogliflozin. Single-dose luseogliflozin 5 mg was well tolerated by study participants, indicating luseogliflozin dose adjustment is not necessary in patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment.

Mechanism-Based Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Luseogliflozin, a Sodium Glucose Co-transporter 2 Inhibitor, in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Luseogliflozin is a selective sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that reduces hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by promoting urinary glucose excretion (UGE). A clinical pharmacology study conducted in Japanese patients with T2DM confirmed dose-dependency of UGE with once-daily administration of luseogliflozin; however, the reason for sustained UGE after plasma luseogliflozin decreased was unclear. To elucidate the effect of inhibition rate constants, Kon and Koff, and to explain the sustained UGE, a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model was built based on the mechanisms of glucose filtration in the glomerulus and reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule of kidney as well as the kinetics of competitive inhibition of SGLT1/2 and inhibition rate constants of SGLT2, by using UGE and plasma glucose levels and luseogliflozin concentrations. This acquired population PK-PD model adequately described the sustained UGE and the estimated population means of the inhibition constant for SGLT2 (Ki2) and inhibition-rate constants for SGLT2 (Kon and Koff) were 0.31- and 3.6-fold lower or higher than the in vitro values. Because the dissociation half-time of luseogliflozin from SGLT2 calculated from Koff, 6.81 h, was consistent with the value in vitro, we considered that the sustained UGE could be explained by the long dissociation half-time. Moreover, by calculating the SGLT2 inhibition ratio using the model, we discuss other properties of the UGE time course after luseogliflozin administration.

Metabolite profiling and enzyme reaction phenotyping of luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, in humans.

1. To understand the clearance mechanism of luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, we investigated its human metabolite profile and metabolic enzymes responsible for the primary metabolic pathways in human using reaction phenotyping. 2. Sixteen metabolites of luseogliflozin were found in human plasma and/or urine and their structural information indicated that the drug was metabolized via multiple metabolic pathways. The primary metabolic pathways involve (1) O-deethylation to form M2 and subsequent glucuronidation to form M12, (2) ω-hydroxylation at ethoxy group to form M3 followed by oxidation to form the corresponding carboxylic acid metabolite (M17) and (3) direct glucuronidation to form M8. 3. The reaction phenotyping studies indicated that the formation of M2 was mainly mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4/5, and subsequently M12 formation was catalyzed by UGT1A1, UGT1A8 and UGT1A9. The formation of M3 was mediated by CYP4A11, CYP4F2 and CYP4F3B, and the further oxidation of M3 to M17 was mediated by alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. The formation of M8 was catalyzed by UGT1A1. 4. These results demonstrate that luseogliflozin is metabolized through multiple pathways, including CYP-mediated oxidation and glucuronidation, in human.

Substantial Effects of Luseogliflozin Revealed by Analyzing Responses to Postprandial Hyperglycemia: Post Hoc Subanalyses of a Randomized Controlled Study.

INTRODUCTION: In our previous study investigating effects of luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, on 24-h glycemic variability by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), luseogliflozin elicited parallel downward shifts in fasting and postprandial glucose levels. However, further review of individual patients' data revealed that postprandial hyperglycemia was not reduced in some patients, while preprandial glucose was ameliorated in most patients. Therefore, we divided patients into two groups according to their postprandial glucose responses and conducted a post hoc subanalyses to elucidate which factors contributed to the differential effects of luseogliflozin. METHODS: Thirty-four Japanese type 2 diabetic patients in our previous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study with 7-day luseogliflozin administration were divided into postprandial glucose responders (PGR, n = 23, ameliorated peak glucose) and postprandial glucose non-responders (PGNR; n = 11, non-ameliorated peak glucose). Baseline characteristics, variations in CGM-measured 24-h glucose levels, and other pharmacodynamic variabilities were compared. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between groups. Placebo-subtracted peak glucose was significantly lowered in PGR and significantly increased in PGNR (-43.8 and 17.9 mg/dL; both p < 0.05). Luseogliflozin significantly lowered "lowest glucose" (defined as the lowest level measured throughout a 24-h period) similarly in PGR and PGNR (-19.2 and -24.0 mg/dL; both p < 0.05), significantly reduced the mean amplitude of glucose excursions in PGR (-15.50 mg/dL; p < 0.05), and increased the area under the curve for plasma glucagon over 24 h in PGNR (median difference vs. placebo: 240 pg/mL h; p < 0.05). Luseogliflozin increased urinary glucose excretion (UGE) and decreased serum insulin by similar magnitudes in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Luseogliflozin diminished glucose fluctuations in most patients by lowering peak glucose to a greater extent than lowest glucose. Luseogliflozin may also lower lowest glucose in patients whose peak glucose was not ameliorated despite increasing UGE. The glucagon increase in PGNR might explain its hypoglycemic effect on postprandial glucose. FUNDING: Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan. TRIAL REGISTRATION: JapicCTI-142548.

Efficacy and Safety of the SGLT2 Inhibitor Luseogliflozin in Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Stratified According to Baseline Body Mass Index: Pooled Analysis of Data From 52-Week Phase III Trials.

PURPOSE: Luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, may be beneficial in obese diabetic patients based on its potential to decrease blood glucose and body weight, but there is limited proof. This analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of luseogliflozin in patients with varying levels of obesity. METHODS: A pooled analysis of four 52-week Phase III trials of luseogliflozin 2.5 mg daily (or up to 5 mg daily) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus stratified according to baseline body mass index (BMI) was conducted. Efficacy end points included changes in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and body weight. FINDINGS: In total, 1031 patients were included and stratified into 5 BMI (kg/m(2)) groups: low-to-medium (<22.5, n = 222); medium (≥22.5 to <25, n = 270); high-level 1 (≥25 to <27.5, n = 262); high-level 2 (≥27.5 to <30, n = 142); and very-high (≥30, n = 135). HbA1c decreased significantly compared with baseline until week 52 in all groups, and a similar trend was observed with FPG and body weight. The reduction in glycemic parameters tended to be slightly smaller in patients with BMI <22.5 kg/m(2), and the reduction in body weight tended to be greater in patients with higher BMI, especially those with BMI ≥30 kg/m(2). Levels of fasting insulin, C-peptide immunoreactivity, triglyceride, blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and uric acid decreased significantly at week 52 in all groups (except for aspartate aminotransferase in patients with BMI <22.5 kg/m(2)). Levels of these parameters tended to be higher at baseline and these enhanced levels resulted in a greater decrease in patients with higher BMI. In safety, the incidence of adverse events was similar between groups, and most of them were mild in severity. IMPLICATIONS: HbA1c and body weight decreased significantly in all groups. Decrease in glycemic parameters tended to be smaller in patients with BMI <22.5 kg/m(2), while that of body weight was larger in patients with higher BMI. Furthermore, luseogliflozin was especially beneficial in patients with higher BMI in terms of metabolic abnormalities, including insulin secretion and hypertension. Luseogliflozin exhibited a favorable and similar safety profile over 52 weeks in all groups. This agent can be an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option in patients with a wide range of BMI levels, and it may be more beneficial in patients with higher BMI.

Impact of Reduced Renal Function on the Glucose-Lowering Effects of Luseogliflozin, a Selective SGLT2 Inhibitor, Assessed by Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the impact of reduced renal function on 24-h glucose variability in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with luseogliflozin. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 37 Japanese patients with T2DM [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 7.0-10.0%] and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥45 mL/min/1.73 m(2) were randomized into two groups in which patients first received luseogliflozin then placebo, or vice versa, for 7 days each. Twenty-four-hour glucose variability was measured on day 7 in each period and was compared among patients divided into three groups according to their baseline eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m(2)): normal (≥90; n = 13; normal group), normal-to-mildly reduced renal function (≥75 to <90; n = 12; normal-mild group), and mild-to-moderately reduced renal function (<75; n = 9; mild-moderate group). RESULTS: The mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] placebo-subtracted 24-h cumulative urinary glucose excretion (g) was 82.1 (72.7, 91.5), 82.5 (73.4, 91.5), and 62.2 (51.2, 73.3); the placebo-subtracted 24-h mean glucose concentration (mg/dL) was -24.39 (-32.53, -16.26), -28.28 (-39.35, -17.22), and -11.53 (-23.93, 0.86); and the placebo-subtracted peak postprandial glucose (mg/dL) was -26.9 (-46.9, -6.9), -38.1 (-59.6, -16.6), and 1.5 (-25.5, 28.4) in the normal, normal-mild, and mild-moderate groups, respectively. The mean lowest glucose concentrations (placebo vs. luseogliflozin, mg/dL) decreased to similar levels in the normal (115.4 vs. 93.4), normal-mild (121.0 vs. 97.9), and mild-moderate (104.0 vs. 91.1) groups. CONCLUSION: This post hoc subanalysis revealed that although mild-to-moderately reduced renal function attenuated the glucose-lowering effects of luseogliflozin on peak postprandial glucose, it did not attenuate the effects of luseogliflozin on fasting glucose. These findings may explain the smaller increase in urinary glucose excretion in these patients relative to patients with normal renal function or normal-to-moderately reduced renal function. Further studies may be needed to examine these findings in large populations of patients with T2DM and reduced renal function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: JapicCTI-142548. FUNDING: Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Influence of Renal Function on the 52-Week Efficacy and Safety of the Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Luseogliflozin in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of renal function on the efficacy and safety of the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor luseogliflozin (TS-071) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Study 1 was a 52-week, Phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2.5 mg/d luseogliflozin (or increased to 5 mg/d) in patients with T2DM with moderate renal impairment. During the initial 24 weeks, efficacy and safety of luseogliflozin were compared with placebo. Study 2 was a pooled analysis of four 52-week, Phase III studies of luseogliflozin, including Study 1, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of luseogliflozin in patients with various degrees of renal function. Patients were stratified into 3 groups by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): normal renal function (≥90 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), mild impairment (≥60 to <90 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), and moderate impairment (≥30 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). Patients with moderate impairment were further divided into those with mild-moderate (≥45 to <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and moderate-severe (≥30 to <45 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). In both studies, efficacy end points included changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, and body weight. The safety end points included adverse events (AEs) and laboratory parameters. FINDINGS: In Study 1, HbA1c, FPG, and body weight significantly decreased at Week 24 in patients treated with luseogliflozin compared with patients treated with placebo, with the decrease in these parameters also observed with luseogliflozin at Week 52. The incidence of AEs was similar between groups. In Study 2, 1030 patients were included (normal, 275; mildly impaired, 598; and moderately impaired, 157). At Week 52, HbA1c, FPG, and body weight were significantly decreased from baseline in all groups. In between-group comparisons, the decreases in HbA1c and body weight were significantly smaller in patients with moderate impairment than in those with normal function; however, the HbA1c-lowering efficacy was reduced by nearly half, whereas the efficacy of body weight lowering was not so much diminished in the moderate impairment group. Furthermore, a scatter plot showed that changes in HbA1c were more influenced by baseline HbA1c than by baseline eGFR. The incidence of AEs during 52 weeks was similar among all groups, with the majority being mild. IMPLICATIONS: Luseogliflozin improved glycemic control and reduced body weight in all eGFR groups, and its efficacy on HbA1c lowering was reduced in those with moderate renal impairment. Luseogliflozin was well tolerated and safe, with no significant safety issues identified, regardless of baseline eGFR. The study is registered with Clinical Trials Information/JapicCTI of the Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center, and the study registry identification numbers are JapicCTI-111507, JapicCTI-111508, JapicCTI-111509, and JapicCTI-111543.

Randomized, Controlled, Thorough QT/QTc Study Shows Absence of QT Prolongation with Luseogliflozin in Healthy Japanese Subjects.

Luseogliflozin is a selective sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. To evaluate the cardiac safety of luseogliflozin, a thorough QT/QTc study was conducted in healthy Japanese subjects. The effects of moxifloxacin on QT prolongation in Japanese subjects were also evaluated. In this double-blind, placebo- and open-label positive-controlled, 4-way crossover study, 28 male and 28 female subjects received a single dose of luseogliflozin 5 mg (therapeutic dose), luseogliflozin 20 mg (supratherapeutic dose), placebo, and moxifloxacin 400 mg. Serial triplicate digital 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded before and after dosing, and results were analyzed using the Fridericia correction (QTcF) method. Serial blood sampling was performed for pharmacokinetic analyses of luseogliflozin and moxifloxacin to analyze the relationship between QTcF interval and plasma concentration. The upper limits of the two-sided 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for baseline and placebo-adjusted QTcF intervals (ΔΔQTcF) in the 5 mg and 20 mg luseogliflozin groups were less than 10 ms at all time points. No correlation between plasma luseogliflozin concentrations and ΔΔQTcF was observed. In the moxifloxacin group, the lower limits of the two-sided 90% CIs for ΔΔQTcF were greater than 5 ms at all time points. A positive relationship was observed between plasma moxifloxacin concentration and change in ΔΔQTcF. Luseogliflozin was well tolerated at both dose levels. The majority of adverse events were mild in severity, and no serious or life-threatening adverse events occurred. Neither therapeutic (5 mg) nor supratherapeutic (20 mg) doses of luseogliflozin affected QT prolongation in healthy Japanese subjects.

Efficacy and safety of luseogliflozin added to various oral antidiabetic drugs in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Two studies were carried out to investigate the efficacy and safety of luseogliflozin added to existing oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled with OAD monotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the trial involving add-on to sulfonylureas (study 03-1), patients were randomly assigned to receive luseogliflozin 2.5 mg or a placebo for a 24-week double-blind period, followed by a 28-week open-label period. In the open-label trial involving add-on to other OADs; that is, biguanides, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, glinides and α-glucosidase inhibitors (study 03-2), patients received luseogliflozin for 52 weeks. RESULTS: In study 03-1, luseogliflozin significantly decreased glycated hemoglobin at the end of the 24-week double-blind period compared with the placebo (-0.88%, P < 0.001), and glycated hemoglobin reduction from baseline at week 52 was -0.63%. In study 03-2, luseogliflozin added to other OADs significantly decreased glycated hemoglobin from baseline at week 52 (-0.52 to -0.68%, P < 0.001 for all OADs). Bodyweight reduction was observed in all add-on therapies, even with agents associated with weight gain, such as sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones. Most adverse events were mild in severity. When added to a sulfonylurea, incidences of hypoglycemia during the double-blind period were 8.7% and 4.2% for luseogliflozin and placebo, respectively, but no major hypoglycemic episodes occurred. The frequency and incidences of adverse events of special interest for sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and adverse events associated with combined OADs were acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Add-on therapies of luseogliflozin to existing OADs improved glycemic control, reduced bodyweight and were well tolerated in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients. These trials were registered with the Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center (add on to sulfonylurea: JapicCTI-111507; add on to other OADs: JapicCTI-111508).

Absence of Drug-Drug Interactions Between Luseogliflozin, a Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter-2 Inhibitor, and Various Oral Antidiabetic Drugs in Healthy Japanese Males.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the possibilities of drug-drug interactions between luseogliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, and oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) in healthy Japanese males. METHODS: We conducted six independent studies to investigate potential drug-drug interactions between 5 mg luseogliflozin and the following OADs usually used in Japan: 1 mg glimepiride, 250 mg metformin, 30 mg pioglitazone, 50 mg sitagliptin, 50 mg miglitol, or 0.6 mg voglibose (0.2 mg before each meal). Twelve subjects were enrolled in each study. The glimepiride, metformin, sitagliptin, and miglitol studies were randomized, open-label, single-dose, three-way crossover studies. The pioglitazone and voglibose studies were open-label studies, where a single dose of luseogliflozin was added to multiple doses of pioglitazone or voglibose. The endpoints were the area under the curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0-24 h) or to infinity (AUCinf) and the maximum concentration (Cmax) of each drug administered alone or in combination. RESULTS: The 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of the geometric mean ratio (GMR) for Cmax of luseogliflozin in the pioglitazone and miglitol studies were beyond the reference range for bioequivalence (0.80-1.25) (miglitol: 0.851 [0.761, 0.952]; pioglitazone: 1.16 [1.04, 1.30]). However, the 90% CIs for AUC0-24 h were within the reference range. The 90% CIs of the GMRs for Cmax and AUC0-24 h of pioglitazone were beyond the reference range (Cmax 0.884 [0.746, 1.05]; AUC0-24 h 0.896 [0.774, 1.04]), but the 90% CIs for the active metabolites of pioglitazone were within the reference range. For the other combinations tested, the 90% CIs and GMRs for luseogliflozin and the individual OADs were within the reference range. CONCLUSION: No clinically meaningful interactions were observed between luseogliflozin and six commonly used OADs in Japan, although there were some changes in the pharmacokinetics of pioglitazone co-administered with luseogliflozin and for luseogliflozin co-administered with miglitol or pioglitazone. FUNDING: Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Fifty-two-week long-term clinical study of luseogliflozin as monotherapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with diet and exercise.

Luseogliflozin, a selective sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, was demonstrated in a previous 24-week study of type 2 diabetic patients to be efficacious and well tolerated. This study mainly aimed to evaluate the long-term safety of luseogliflozin monotherapy in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients based on the Japanese guidelines. Additionally, long-term efficacy was also evaluated. Patients on diet and exercise therapy alone with an HbA1c of 6.9-10.5% received luseogliflozin 2.5 mg once daily for 52 weeks. For patients with insufficient glycemic control, this dose was able to be increased to 5 mg at Week 24. Adverse events (AEs), clinical laboratory tests, vital signs and 12-lead electrocardiograms were used to assess safety. Efficacy endpoints consisted of changes in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and body weight from baseline. Of 299 patients who received luseogliflozin, 279 completed the study. Most AEs were mild in severity with incidences of AEs and adverse drug reactions at 75.3% and 16.7%, respectively. Although hypoglycemia was observed in 7 patients (2.3%), no major hypoglycemic episodes occurred. The incidences of AEs of special interest, including pollakiuria, volume depletion and urinary tract/genital infections, were at acceptable levels. Luseogliflozin significantly lowered HbA1c (-0.50%, P< 0.001), FPG (-16.3 mg/dL, P< 0.001) and body weight (-2.68 kg, P< 0.001) at Week 52 compared to baseline. Up-titration to 5 mg further improved glycemic control. In this long-term study of Japanese type 2 diabetic patients, luseogliflozin monotherapy was well tolerated for 52 weeks and provided a sustained glycemic lowering effect and reduced body weight.

Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety of Luseogliflozin in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized, Single-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Luseogliflozin, a potent, selective sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, promotes urinary glucose excretion (UGE) and reduces plasma glucose concentrations. Luseogliflozin was approved for use in Japan after favorable pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety profiles were reported in healthy Japanese subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in clinical development studies. We aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of multiple doses of luseogliflozin administered once daily for 7 days in Japanese patients with T2DM. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind, parallel-group, clinical pharmacology study at the P-One Clinic, Keikokai Medical Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) between August 2009 and November 2009. Forty Japanese patients with T2DM were randomly assigned to receive once-daily 0.5, 1, 2.5 or 5 mg luseogliflozin or placebo for 7 days. We assessed the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics (including changes in UGE and plasma glucose concentrations), and safety of luseogliflozin. RESULTS: The plasma concentrations of luseogliflozin and its active metabolite, M2, were dose proportional, without accumulation. 24-h UGE was greater in all luseogliflozin groups versus placebo. Least-squares mean differences in 24-h UGE on Day 7 increased dose dependently in the luseogliflozin groups, with values of 49.2, 66.5, 89.4, and 101 g/day at 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 mg, respectively. On Day 7, the areas under the concentration-time curves for post-meal plasma glucose and the mean plasma glucose for 0-16 h were significantly lower in all luseogliflozin groups versus placebo. Seven patients had mild adverse events (AEs); all were resolved. No AEs led to study discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Once-daily administration of luseogliflozin for 7 days increased 24-h UGE in a dose-dependent manner, reduced plasma glucose concentrations, and was well tolerated in Japanese patients with T2DM. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of luseogliflozin observed in this study supports its once-daily dosing regimen. FUNDING: Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

SGLT2 inhibitor lowers serum uric acid through alteration of uric acid transport activity in renal tubule by increased glycosuria.

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been reported to lower the serum uric acid (SUA) level. To elucidate the mechanism responsible for this reduction, SUA and the urinary excretion rate of uric acid (UE(UA)) were analysed after the oral administration of luseogliflozin, a SGLT2 inhibitor, to healthy subjects. After dosing, SUA decreased, and a negative correlation was observed between the SUA level and the UE(UA), suggesting that SUA decreased as a result of the increase in the UE(UA). The increase in UE(UA) was correlated with an increase in urinary D-glucose excretion, but not with the plasma luseogliflozin concentration. Additionally, in vitro transport experiments showed that luseogliflozin had no direct effect on the transporters involved in renal UA reabsorption. To explain that the increase in UE(UA) is likely due to glycosuria, the study focused on the facilitative glucose transporter 9 isoform 2 (GLUT9ΔN, SLC2A9b), which is expressed at the apical membrane of the kidney tubular cells and transports both UA and D-glucose. It was observed that the efflux of [(14) C]UA in Xenopus oocytes expressing the GLUT9 isoform 2 was trans-stimulated by 10 mm D-glucose, a high concentration of glucose that existed under SGLT2 inhibition. On the other hand, the uptake of [(14) C]UA by oocytes was cis-inhibited by 100 mm D-glucose, a concentration assumed to exist in collecting ducts. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the UE(UA) could potentially be increased by luseogliflozin-induced glycosuria, with alterations of UA transport activity because of urinary glucose.

A Strategy for assessing potential drug-drug interactions of a concomitant agent against a drug absorbed via an intestinal transporter in humans.

A strategy for assessing potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) based on a simulated intestinal concentration is described. The proposed prediction method was applied to the DDI assessment of luseogliflozin, a novel antidiabetic drug, against miglitol absorbed via the intestinal sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1). The method involves four steps: collection of physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters of luseogliflozin for use in a computer simulation; evaluation of the validity of these parameters by verifying the goodness of fit between simulated and observed plasma profiles; simulation of the intestinal luseogliflozin concentration-time profile using the Advanced Compartment Absorption and Transit (ACAT) model in a computer program and estimation of the time spent above a value 10-fold higher than the IC50 value (TAIC) for SGLT1; and evaluation of the DDI potential of luseogliflozin by considering the percentage of TAIC against the miglitol Tmax (time for Cmax) value (TAIC/Tmax). An initial attempt to prove the validity of this method was performed in rats. The resulting TAIC/Tmax in rats was 32%, suggesting a low DDI potential of luseogliflozin against miglitol absorption. The validity was then confirmed using an in vivo interaction study in rats. In humans, luseogliflozin was expected to have no DDI potential against miglitol absorption, since the TAIC/Tmax in humans was lower than that in rats. This prediction was proven, as expected, in a clinical interaction study. In conclusion, the present strategy based on a simulation of the intestinal concentration-time profile using dynamic modeling would be useful for assessing the clinical DDI potential of a concomitant agent against drugs absorbed via an intestinal transporter.