RESUMO
Background: The clinical management of leprosy is complicated by leprosy reactions (LR) causing irreversible nerve damage and disabilities. LR often require long-term use of corticosteroids causing serious side effects. Adjunct host-directed therapy (HDT) is a potentially attractive strategy in leprosy to prevent LR and associated immunopathology, modulate immunological memory that protects against recurrence, and thereby reduce nerve damage, disability and corticosteroid-associated morbidities. Metformin, a well-tolerated, safe and cheap anti-hyperglycaemic drug, is repurposed as HDT in auto-immune and infectious diseases, like tuberculosis (TB). Metformin use in people with diabetes is associated with reduced risks of TB-infection, progression to active TB, treatment failure and TB-mortality. Given the similarities both mycobacteria share, we hypothesize that among persons with multibacillary (MB) leprosy, adjunctive metformin may prevent/mitigate LR. Methods: We will perform a double-blind controlled proof-of-concept trial in which people with newly diagnosed multibacillary leprosy will be randomized (1:1) to metformin hydrochloride 1000mg extended release once daily versus placebo for 24 weeks in addition to standard-of-care WHO MB multidrug therapy (MDT) during 48 weeks. We aim to enrol 166 participants aged between 18 and 65 years, across five clinical sites in two leprosy endemic areas in Indonesia. Primary outcomes are the proportion of participants experiencing a LR and the frequency of (serious) adverse events. Secondary outcomes are the severity and time to first LR, the cumulative corticosteroid usage, and quality of life. The total study follow-up is 48 weeks. Discussion: LR signify the most important cause of irreversible nerve damage leading to anatomical deformities and disabilities, imposing a social and financial burden on those affected. Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of adjunct metformin added to MDT in persons with multibacillary leprosy, and explore its effects on clinical and immunological outcomes. ClinicalTrialsgov registration: NCT05243654 (17/02/2022).
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction is a common complication in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients associated with oxidative damage which could be characterized by 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α and hydrogen peroxide level as oxidative stress markers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to determine if there is a difference in 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α and hydrogen peroxide levels between sulfonylurea and combination of metformin-sulfonylurea in diabetic patients. We also wanted to determine if these oxidative stress markers correlate with the estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with inclusion of 55 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Dr. Sitanala Tangerang Hospital, Indonesia with purposive sampling. The value of eGFR was obtained by serum creatinine levels, while the level of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α was measured by ELISA and urinary hydrogen peroxide using FOX-1 (Ferrous Ion Oxidation Xylenol Orange 1). RESULTS: There was no difference in 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α and hydrogen peroxide level between the two groups (p=0.088 and p=0.848). Moreover, there was no difference in eGFR values between the two groups, measured by Cockroft-Gault, MDRD, and CKD-EPI. 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (n=55) was positively correlated with eGFR based on Cockroft-Gault (r=0.382; p=0.009), whereas urinary hydrogen peroxide (n=47) also generate significant positive correlation with eGFR based on the MDRD equation (r=0.326; p=0.021). Linear regression analysis showed that 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α is the most predictive factor and the only significant factor for eGFR in Cockroft-Gault, MDRD and also CKDEPI, even after controlled by gender, age, BMI, HbA1c, systole, and H2O2. CONCLUSION: The two treatments did not have any significant differences in antioxidant activity. However, an increase of urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2. and hydrogen peroxide which correlates with eGFR in the total sample may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy.
