Real-Time Flash Glucose Monitoring Had Better Effects on Daily Glycemic Control Compared With Retrospective Flash Glucose Monitoring in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes on Premix Insulin Therapy.

Background and Aims: To compare the effects of real-time and retrospective flash glucose monitoring (FGM) on daily glycemic control and lifestyle in patients with type 2 diabetes on premix insulin therapy. Methods and Results: A total of 172 patients using premix insulin, with HbA1c ≥ 7.0% (56 mmol/mol), or the time below the target (TBR) ≥ 4%, or the coefficient of variation (CV) ≥36% during the screening period, were randomly assigned to retrospective FGM (n = 89) or real-time FGM group (n = 83). Another two retrospective or real-time 14-day FGMs were performed respectively, 1 month apart. Both groups received educations and medication adjustment after each FGM. Time in range (3.9~10.0 mmol/l, TIR) increased significantly after 3 months in the real-time FGM group (6.5%) compared with the retrospective FGM group (-1.1%) (p = 0.014). HbA1c decreased in both groups (both p < 0.01). Real-time FGMs increased daily exercise time compared with the retrospective group (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Real-time FGM with visible blood glucose improves daily glycemic control and diabetes self-care behaviors better than retrospective FGM in patients with type 2 diabetes on premix insulin therapy. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/NCT04847219.

Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 52-Week Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoglycemic drugs affect the bone quality and the risk of fractures in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We aimed to investigate the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and insulin on bone mineral density (BMD) in T2DM. METHODS: In this single-blinded study, a total of 65 patients with T2DM were randomly assigned into four groups for 52 weeks: the exenatide group (n = 19), dulaglutide group (n = 19), insulin glargine group (n = 10), and placebo (n = 17). General clinical data were collected, and BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased significantly in the exenatide (8.11 ± 0.24% vs. 7.40 ± 0.16%, P = 0.007), dulaglutide (8.77 ± 0.37% vs. 7.06 ± 0.28%, P < 0.001), and insulin glargine (8.57 ± 0.24% vs. 7.23 ± 0.25%, P < 0.001) groups after treatment. In the exenatide group, the BMD of the total hip increased. In the dulaglutide group, only the BMD of the femoral neck decreased (P = 0.027), but the magnitude of decrease was less than that in the placebo group; the BMD of L1-L4, femoral neck, and total hip decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the placebo group, while in the insulin glargine group, the BMD of L2, L4, and L1-4 increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the placebo group, the BMD of the femoral neck and total hip in the exenatide group and the insulin glargine group were increased significantly (P < 0.05); compared with the exenatide group, the BMD of L4 in the insulin glargine group was also increased (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the placebo, GLP-1RAs demonstrated an increase of BMD at multiple sites of the body after treatment, which may not exacerbate the consequences of bone fragility. Therefore, GLP-1RAs might be considered for patients with T2DM. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01648582.

Glycemic variation in uncontrolled Graves' disease patients with normal glucose metabolism: Assessment by continuous glucose monitoring.

PURPOSE: To observe the glycemic variation (GV) in uncontrolled Graves' disease (GD) patients with normal glucose metabolism measured by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). METHODS: This was a single-center, open-label, observational study. From January 2017 to October 2017, 20 GD patients with normal glucose metabolism and 24 healthy control subjects were recruited. Serum samples were obtained at 0, 30, and 120 min after oral glucose loading for glucose, insulin, and C-peptide level measurements. Fasting plasma fasting free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations were also detected. All participants were subjected to a 3-day CGM after baseline data were collected. The primary endpoint was the difference in the mean amplitude of the glycemic excursions between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy subjects, the GD patients had higher mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) (P < 0.01). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that FT4 level was an independent factor for the MAGE. Interestingly, the GD patients had a significant prolongation in the time to peak glucose, especially after breakfast (P < 0.01), and the elevation in the incremental area under the curve of glucose after breakfast till 4 hours later. CONCLUSIONS: Uncontrolled GD patients with normal glucose metabolism had a greater GV, and the FT4 level may contributed to the increased GV.

The Effects of Once-Weekly Dulaglutide and Insulin Glargine on Glucose Fluctuation in Poorly Oral-Antidiabetic Controlled Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Aim. To compare the effects of once-weekly Dulaglutide with once-daily glargine in poorly oral-antidiabetic controlled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Method. A total of 25 patients with T2DM admitted into Department of Endocrinology from December 2012 to August 2013 were randomly assigned into two groups: Dulaglutide group (n = 16) and glargine group (n = 9). All patients received either Dulaglutide or glargine treatments for 52 weeks. Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) were applied to them for two 72 h periods at before and after the treatment each. Patient general clinical data were collected and analyzed. Result. Fast blood glucose (FBG) of the glargine group declined more significantly than the Dulaglutide group after treatment (p < 0.05). The mean blood glucose (MBG), standard deviation of blood glucose (SDBG), mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) within a day, the largest amplitude of glycemic excursion (LAGE), M-value, absolute means of daily difference (MODD) of glycemic excursion, the percentage of time (≤2.8 mmol/L, ≤3.9 mmol/L, ≥10.0 mmol/L, ≥13.9 mmol/L, 3.9-7.8 mmol/L, and 9-10.0 mmol/L), maximum glycemic value, and minimum glycemic value were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). The incidence of hypoglycemia was also similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Though serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and 8-PGF2α all decreased, significant reduction was found in TNF-α and 8-PGF2α. TNF-α was only significantly reduced in the Dulaglutide group, while 8-PGF2α was seen in both groups. Conclusion. For T2DM patients with poorly controlled oral antidiabetic drugs, once-weekly Dulaglutide not only has the same effect on glucose fluctuation as once-daily glargine but also significantly reduced TNF-α and 8-PGF2α after a 52 week treatment protocol. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01648582.

The characteristics of blood glucose fluctuations in patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus in the stable stage

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim was to characterize blood glucose fluctuations in patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1DM) at the stable stage using continuous blood glucose monitoring systems (CGMSs). Subjects and methods: Ten patients with FT1DM and 20 patients with classic type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (the control group) were monitored using CGMSs for 72 hours. Results: The CGMS data showed that the mean blood glucose (MBG), the standard deviation of the blood glucose (SDBG), the mean amplitude glycemic excursions (MAGE), the blood glucose areas and the percentages of blood glucose levels below 13.9 mmol/L were similar between the two groups. However, the percentage of blood glucose levels below 3.9 mmol/L was significantly higher in the FT1DM group compared to the T1DM group (p < 0.05). The minimum (Min) blood glucose level in the FT1DM group was significantly lower than that of the T1DM group (p < 0.05). Patients with FT1DM had severe dysfunction of the islet beta cells and alpha cells compared to patients with T1DM, as indicated by lower C-peptide values and higher glucagon/C-peptide values. Conclusion: In conclusion, patients with FT1DM at the stable stage were more prone to hypoglycemic episodes as recorded by CGMSs, and they had a greater association with severe dysfunction of both the beta and alpha islet cells compared to patients with T1DM.

Male Patients with Longstanding Type 2 Diabetes Have a Higher Incidence of Hypoglycemia Compared with Female Patients.

INTRODUCTION: To explore whether there was a gender difference in the risk of hypoglycemia during intensive insulin therapy in patients with longstanding type 2 diabetes (T2D). This was a post hoc analysis of a single-center, open-label and prospective trial. METHODS: All subjects were admitted as inpatients, underwent a standard bread meal test at baseline and received a 7-day continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy for achieving glycemic control. Patients then were randomized 1:1 to two groups receiving (1) 4 days of Novo Mix 30 followed by 2 days of Humalog Mix 50; (2) 4 days of Humalog Mix 50 followed by 2 days of Novo Mix 30. All patients were subjected to 4-day retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) during the last 4 days in this study. The primary outcome was the incidences of hypoglycemia monitored by CGM at the end point. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients met the inclusion criteria and completed the study. Our data revealed that 29 patients (28%) experienced hypoglycemia as detected by CGM at the end point. Binary logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that only gender significantly correlated with hypoglycemia (B = 1.17, p = 0.017). Importantly, male patients had a significantly higher incidence of hypoglycemia than female patients (male = 20/52, female = 9/50, p = 0.022), although male patients required significantly lower insulin doses to maintain glycemic control than female patient (p = 0.00). CONCLUSION: Male patients with longstanding T2D had a higher incidence of hypoglycemia than female patients during intensive insulin therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, ChiCTR-IPR-15007340.

Metformin add-on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion on precise insulin doses in patients with type 2 diabetes.

To investigate whether metformin add-on to the continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (Met + CSII) therapy leads to a significant reduction in insulin doses required by type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients to maintain glycemic control, and an improvement in glycemic variation (GV) compared to CSII only therapy. We analyzed data from our two randomized, controlled open-label trials. Newly diagnoses T2D patients were randomized assigned to receive either CSII therapy or Met + CSII therapy for 4 weeks. Subjects were subjected to a 4-day continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) at the endpoint. Insulin doses and GV profiles were analyzed. The primary endpoint was differences in insulin doses and GV between the two groups. A total of 188 subjects were admitted as inpatients. Subjects in metformin add-on therapy required significantly lower total, basal and bolus insulin doses than those of control group. CGM data showed that patients in Met + CSII group exhibited significant reduction in the 24-hr mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), the standard deviation, and the coefficient of variation compared to those of control group. Our data suggest that metformin add-on to CSII therapy leads to a significant reduction in insulin doses required by T2D patients to control glycemic variations.

The real world of blood glucose point-of-care testing (POCT) system running in China teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND:  The blood glucose point-of-care testing (POCT) system is important in the decision-making process involving patients suspected of having hypoglycemia. To investigate the real world of the POCT system being used in teaching hospitals in China. METHODS: The survey was conducted by Hisend Research Group from May 2015 to July 2015 in four teaching hospitals in China. The survey questions were referred to the ISO 15197:2013 standard requirements for the use of the POCT system in a hospital setting. RESULTS: A total of 170 subjects were included from 4 hospitals, which included nursing staff, nurse unit managers, employees from the department of medical instruments, and staff members employed by the clinical laboratories in the Tianjin Metabolism Hospital, Nanjing First Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, and the First hospital affiliated with the Xi'an Transportation University. The average score for the four hospitals surveyed in this study was 66.6, which varied from 46.1 to 79.7. The main factors influencing the scores were the multiple choices of blood-glucose meters, and the quality control assessment. CONCLUSION: Our data indicates that the real world use of the POCT system in hospital settings in China needs more closer adherence to a quality management framework.

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Lispro and Aspart Evaluated by Continuous Glucose Monitoring System in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of the rapid-acting insulin analogues (RAIAs) aspart (NovoRapid) and lispro (Prandilin) on glycemic variations by continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) in patients within newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) receiving continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and metformin intensive therapy. METHODS: This is a single-blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 110 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM and with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c%) above 9% was hospitalized and randomly divided into two groups: group Asp (NovoRapid group) and group Lis (Prandilin group). They all received CSII and metformin therapy. Treatments were maintained for 2-3 weeks after the glycaemic target was reached. C-peptide and insulin and fructosamine were determined. CGMS was continuously applied for 4 days after reaching the glycemic target. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in daily dosages of insulin, fasting plasma C-P and 2 h postprandial C-P and insulin, and fructosamine at the baseline and endpoint between the groups Asp and Lis. No significant differences were seen in the 24 h mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), 24 h mean blood glucose (MBG), the standard deviation of the MBG (SDBG), fasting blood glucose, number of glycemic excursion (NGE), and the incidence of hypoglycemia between the two groups. Similarly, no significant differences were found in areas under the curve (AUC) of glucose above 10.0 mmol/L or the decremental area over the curve (AOC) of glucose below 3.9 mmol/L between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lispro and aspart had the similar ability to control the glycemic variations in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number ChiCTR-IPR-17010338.

Management of glycemic variation in diabetic patients receiving parenteral nutrition by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy.

To compare the continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or insulin glargine based multiple injections (MDI) therapy on glycemic variations in diabetic patients receiving PN outside of intensive care settings. This was a single-center, randomized, open-label trial. Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who were receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) were recruited. After baseline data were collected, recruited patients were then randomized 1:1 to a CSII group or a MDI group. All patients were subjected to a 4-day retrospective Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). The primary endpoint was the differences of the 24-hrs mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) in patients receiving the PN therapy between the two groups. A total of 102 patients with T2D receiving PN were recruited. Patients in the CSII group had a significantly decreased mean glucose level (MBG), the standard deviation of MG (SDBG), MAGE, and the coefficient of variation (CV%) compared to those in MDI group (all P < 0.01). Furthermore, we found that the patients who received a bolus insulin dose required maintaining euglycemic control was gradually decreased during the PN period in both groups at the endpoint. The administration of insulin via CSII led to a significant decrease in glycemic variations in patients receiving PN.

The characteristics of blood glucose fluctuations in patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus in the stable stage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to characterize blood glucose fluctuations in patients with fulminant type 1 diabetes (FT1DM) at the stable stage using continuous blood glucose monitoring systems (CGMSs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ten patients with FT1DM and 20 patients with classic type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (the control group) were monitored using CGMSs for 72 hours. RESULTS: The CGMS data showed that the mean blood glucose (MBG), the standard deviation of the blood glucose (SDBG), the mean amplitude glycemic excursions (MAGE), the blood glucose areas and the percentages of blood glucose levels below 13.9 mmol/L were similar between the two groups. However, the percentage of blood glucose levels below 3.9 mmol/L was significantly higher in the FT1DM group compared to the T1DM group (p < 0.05). The minimum (Min) blood glucose level in the FT1DM group was significantly lower than that of the T1DM group (p < 0.05). Patients with FT1DM had severe dysfunction of the islet beta cells and alpha cells compared to patients with T1DM, as indicated by lower C-peptide values and higher glucagon/C-peptide values. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, patients with FT1DM at the stable stage were more prone to hypoglycemic episodes as recorded by CGMSs, and they had a greater association with severe dysfunction of both the beta and alpha islet cells compared to patients with T1DM.

Young onset type 2 diabetic patients might be more sensitive to metformin compared to late onset type 2 diabetic patients.

It is unknown whether YOD (young onset diabetes) and LOD (late onset diabetes) require similar insulin doses for intensive insulin therapy with a metformin add-on to achieve glycemic control. We analyzed data from our two previously performed randomized, controlled open-label trials. Patients were randomized to receive either continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy or CSII combined with metformin therapy for 4 weeks. The studies concentrated on the differences in the insulin doses used for the two groups. We included 36 YOD (age < 40 yrs) and 152 LOD (age > 40 yrs) patients. YOD patients who received metformin combined with CSII therapy required significantly lower insulin doses to maintain euglycemic control compared to patients with LOD. A multivariate analysis, controlled for gender and the fasting blood concentration, was performed to determine the significance of the differences between groups, particularly with respect to the total and basal insulin doses. There was a trend toward improvement in ß-cell function and insulin resistance in terms of ΔHOMA-B and ΔHOMA-IR in patients with YOD compared to those with LOD. Newly diagnosed T2D patients with YOD required significantly lower insulin doses, particularly basal insulin doses, to maintain glycemic control compared to the LOD patients.

Effects of Vildagliptin Add-on Insulin Therapy on Nocturnal Glycemic Variations in Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate whether vildagliptin add-on insulin therapy improves glycemic variations in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to patients with placebo therapy. METHODS: This was a 24-week, single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Inadequately controlled T2D patients treated with insulin therapy were recruited between June 2012 and April 2013. The trial included a 2-week screening period and a 24-week randomized period. Subjects were randomly assigned to a vildagliptin add-on insulin therapy group (n = 17) or a matched placebo group (n = 16). Scheduled visits occurred at weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed before and at the endpoint of the study. RESULTS: A total of 33 subjects were admitted, with 1 patient withdrawing from the placebo group. After 24 weeks of therapy, HbA1c values were significantly reduced at the endpoint in the vildagliptin add-on group. CGM data showed that patients with vildagliptin add-on therapy had a significantly lower 24-h mean glucose concentration and mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE). At the endpoint of the study, patients in the vildagliptin add-on group had a significantly lower MAGE and standard deviation compared to the control patients during the nocturnal period (0000-0600). A severe hypoglycemic episode was not observed in either group. CONCLUSION: Vildagliptin add-on therapy to insulin has the ability to improve glycemic variations, especially during the nocturnal time period, in patients with uncontrolled T2D.

Glucose metabolism before and after radioiodine therapy of a patient with Graves' disease: Assessment by continuous glucose monitoring.

Hyperthyroidism causes impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance (IR) and insulin secretion. However, the glucose variability affected by thyroid dysfunction remains unclear. Glucose variability was assessed by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in a non-diabetic patient with Graves' disease (GD), to the best of our knowledge, for the first time. A 28-year-old man with GD, who had been taking methimazole for 4 years, was treated with radioiodine on August 17th 2016. Although the patient exhibited normal glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; 5.3%) and blood glucose values during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; fasting and 120 min blood glucose were 5.38 and 6.39 mmol/l, respectively) before radioiodine therapy, CGM exhibited high 24 h mean glucose and nocturnal hyperglycemia. An increased fasting insulin level, suppressed levels of blood glucagon and high homeostatic model assessment of IR were also observed. The disordered glucose metabolism improved as soon as the patient's thyroid function turned to hypothyroidism 4 months after radioiodine therapy. The glucose intolerance in patients with hyperthyroidism, missed by the OGTT and HbA1c tests, may be more common than anticipated.

Features of glycemic variations in drug naïve type 2 diabetic patients with different HbA1c values.

To define the features of glycemic variations in drug naïve type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients with different HbA1c values using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), a total of 195 drug naïve T2D patients were admitted. The subjects were divided into the following groups: lower HbA1c values (≤8%), moderate HbA1c values (>8% and ≤10%), and higher HbA1c values (>10%). The patients underwent oral glucose tolerance tests and were then subjected to 3-day CGM. The primary endpoint was the differences in the 24-hr mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) in patients with different HbA1c values. Patients with higher HbA1c values had larger MAGEs than those in the moderate and lower groups (7.44 ± 3.00 vs. 6.30 ± 2.38, P < 0.05, 7.44 ± 3.00 vs. 5.20 ± 2.35, P < 0.01, respectively). The 24-hr mean glucose concentrations increased incrementally in the patients with lower, moderate and higher HbA1c values. Moreover, the patients with higher HbA1c values exhibited higher peak glucose concentrations and prolongation in the time to peak glucose. Patients with higher HbA1c values had larger MAGE compared with those with lower and moderate HbA1c values. Our data indicated patients with higher HbA1c values should receive special therapy aimed at reducing the larger glycemic variations.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients Reveals a Potential Risk of Hypoglycemia in Older Men.

Objectives. We performed continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to define the features of patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) before and after Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) therapy. Methods. This was a retrospective analysis. Newly diagnosed T2D patients (106) were admitted from eight centers in China. They were divided into a younger patient group (<60 years) and an older patient group (≥60 years). Each group was further divided into male and female patients. CSII therapy was maintained for 3 weeks after the glycemic target was reached. CGM was performed 2 times before and after completion of insulin treatment. Results. CGM data showed the expected significant improvement of mean amplitude glycemic excursion (MAGE) with CSII therapy. The older patients had lower hourly glucose concentrations from 0200 to 0700 o'clock compared to the younger patients at baseline. Surprisingly, in the older patient group, the male patients had a potential risk of hypoglycemia after CSII therapy, especially during periods from 2300 to 2400 and 0400 to 0600. Conclusions. Our data suggested that older male patients with newly diagnosed T2D may have lower nocturnal glucose concentrations. This may potentially increase the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia during CSII therapy. This study was registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, number CliCTR-TRC-11001218.

Exenatide Add-on to Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Therapy Reduces Bolus Insulin Doses in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Controlled, Open-Label Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of adding exenatide to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy on the precise insulin doses required by type 2 diabetic patients to maintain glycemic control. METHODS: This was a single-center, randomized, controlled, open-label trial. Uncontrolled T2D patients were recruited between March 2010 and November 2011 at Nanjing First Hospital, China. Subjects were randomly assigned (1:1) to either an exenatide add-on to CSII group or a CSII therapy only (i.e., control) group (n = 18, respectively) for 5 weeks. Patients were subjected to 3 days of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) during the screening period and after therapy. The precise insulin doses, the times taken by the patients to achieve euglycemic control, and the mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) at the endpoint were compared between the two groups. The primary endpoint was precise insulin dose differences between groups from baseline to the endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 36 subjects were admitted as inpatients. Patients in the exenatide add-on therapy group needed less insulin titration time to achieve glycemic control (3.67 ± 1.33 vs. 4.78 ± 1.00 days, P = 0.028) and significantly lower bolus insulin doses than the control group at the endpoint (total bolus, 0.13 ± 0.03 vs. 0.17 ± 0.04 U/kg, P = 0.02, breakfast bolus, 0.05 ± 0.01 vs. 0.06 ± 0.01 U/kg, P = 0.01, lunch bolus, 0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.06 ± 0.01 U/kg, P = 0.01, dinner bolus, 0.04 ± 0.01 vs. 0.05 ± 0.01 U/kg, P = 0.01, respectively). Moreover, the CGM data showed that patients in the exenatide add-on therapy group exhibited a significant reduction in MAGE as compared to the control group (2.96 ± 1.14 vs. 4.21 ± 1.39 mmol/L, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that adding exenatide therapy to CSII therapy leads to an improvement in glycemic excursions and the use of smaller bolus insulin doses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier, ChiCTR-PPR-15007045.

Analysis of the add-on effect of α-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose in insulin therapy: A pilot study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the add-on effect of acarbose therapy in oxidative stress, and the lipid and inflammatory profiles of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with insulin. This was an open and unblended study. Patients (n=134) with T2DM (haemoglobin A1c range, 9.0-12.0%) were recruited. After continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for 7 days for initial rapid correction of hyperglycaemia, a premixed insulin titration period (duration, 4-6 days) subsequently followed. Patients were then randomized (1:1) into two groups as follows: An acarbose plus pre-mixed 30/70 insulin group or a pre-mixed 30/70 insulin only group; each group received treatment for 2 weeks. Plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso PGF2α), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 levels were measured before and after therapy. Patients that received acarbose plus insulin demonstrated greater reduction in 8-iso PGF2α, Hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 levels when compared with the insulin only patients. Thus, acarbose add-on insulin therapy was identified to be associated with greater improvements in oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with T2DM when compared with those that received insulin only therapy.

Blood Glucagon Levels Predict the Hemoglobin A1c Response to Saxagliptin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled with Metformin.

BACKGROUND: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are widely used as second-option medications when metformin fails. Variance of the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) response to DPP-4 inhibitions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been observed, but the characteristics which predict the response to DPP-4 inhibitor therapy are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of α- and ß-cell functions which might predict the efficacy of saxagliptin and facilitate personalization of treatment. METHODS: We studied 60 patients with T2DM who had inadequate glycemic control [HbA1c7.0-13.0% (53-119 mmol/mol)) with metformin alone. The patients were treated with saxagliptin (5 mg, daily) and metformin (1000-2000 mg as former) for 12 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance tests were carried out at baseline and endpoint to evaluate α- and ß-cell functions, and blood C-peptide, insulin, glucagon levels were tested. Blood glucose, HbA1c and weight were also observed. RESULTS: Significant reduction of weight, HbA1c and glucagon was observed after 12-week treatment, while C-peptide, insulin and homeostasis model assessment-ß increased (P < 0.05). Linear regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that baseline HbA1c and 30 min-glucagon were correlated with the HbA1c response to saxagliptin, while the weight loss was correlated with gender, age and fasting-insulin level. Further analysis showed the 30 min-glucagon of 49.1 pmol/L was the optimal cutoff value to predict the efficacy of saxagliptin. CONCLUSIONS: Saxagliptin added to metformin significantly improved glycemic control and α- and ß-cell function. Blood glucagon level was a good predicting factor for the HbA1c response to saxagliptin, and it will help appropriate patient selection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Register identifier, ChiCTR-PPR-15007045.

Effects of saxagliptin add-on therapy to insulin on blood glycemic fluctuations in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, control, open-labeled trial.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether saxagliptin add-on therapy to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) further improve blood glycemic control than CSII therapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: This was a single-center, randomized, control, open-labeled trial. Newly diagnosed T2D patients were recruited between February 2014 and December 2015. Subjects were divided into saxagliptin add-on therapy to CSII group (n = 31) and CSII therapy group (n = 38). The treatment was maintained for 4 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed at baseline. Serum samples were obtained before and 30 and 120 minutes after oral administration for glucose, insulin, and C-peptide determination. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was performed before and endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 69 subjects were admitted. After 4-week therapy, CGM data showed that patients with saxagliptin add-on therapy exhibited further improvement of mean amplitude glycemic excursion (MAGE), the incremental area under curve of plasma glucose >7.8 and 10 mmol/L compared with that of control group. In addition, the hourly mean blood glucose concentrations, especially between 0000 and 0600 in patient with saxagliptin add-on therapy, were significantly lower compared with that of the control patients. Furthermore, patients in saxagliptin add-on group needed lower insulin dose to maintain euglycemic control. In addition, severe hypoglycemic episode was not observed from any group. CONCLUSION: Saxagliptin add-on therapy to insulin had the ability of further improve blood glycemic controlling, with lower insulin dose required by patients with T2D to maintain euglycemic controlling.