Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Henagliflozin, a Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor, in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

A Human Engineered Heart Tissue-Derived Lipotoxic Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Model Revealed Early Benefits of Empagliflozin

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DbCM) is increasingly prevalent, but intervention targets remain unclear due to the lack of appropriate models and the complexity of risk factors. Here, this work establishes an in vitro assessment system for DbCM function using cardiomyocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells and engineered heart tissue. This work finds high-fat status in complex diabetes risk factors majorly contributes most to cardiomyocyte death and contractile dysfunction. Notably, PA induced early electrophysiological abnormalities, and lately is associated with cardiac fibrosis, mitochondrial fission, and systolic and diastolic dysfunction at tissue level. Using this in vitro assessment system, this work finds that empagliflozin (EMPA), a first-line glucose-lowering drug, effectively alleviated early PA-induced cardiomyocyte injury. Treatment with EMPA enhanced abnormal diastolic and electrophysiological functions in the PA-hEHT model and significantly reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis. Furthermore, these promising results are confirmed in a type 2 diabetes mellitus mouse model, reinforcing the potential of EMPA as a therapeutic option to alleviate cardiomyocyte injury under diabetic conditions. These findings suggest that this work has developed an engineered model of diabetic cardiomyopathy that mimics the various stages of lipotoxic myocardial injury and support the use of EMPA as a potential therapeutic option for diabetic or lipotoxic cardiomyopathy.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of non-glucosidal based 1,3,4-thiadiazoles as SGLT-2 inhibitors

AIM

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major metabolic disorder needing insulin-independent treatments; this study developed Schiff base 1,3,4-thiadiazole as Sodium Glucose Co-transporters 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The target compounds were synthesized followed by docking studies, in vitro and in vivo analysis.

RESULTS

In vitro assay revealed SSS 6 and SSS 2 exhibited high SGLT2 inhibition activity i.e. 78.57% ± 2.8 and 74.60% ± 1.12 compared to dapagliflozin (93.65% ± 4.48) at same dosage in enzyme inhibition assays. In vivo results reveals that SSS 2 significantly improved excretion of urinary glucose (854 ± 46.51 mg/body weight) as compared to dapagliflozin (775 ± 32.68 mg/body weight. SSS 6 and SSS 2 significantly decreased blood glucose levels (137 ± 4.89 mg/dL and 183 ± 15.07 mg/dL) relative to dapagliflozin (158 ± 15.9 mg/dL).

CONCLUSION

Compounds SSS 6 and SSS 2 emerge as a potential candidates for further investigation as SGLT2 inhibitors for treating T2DM.

Effect of henagliflozin on left ventricular mass index in dialysis patients with HFpEF (HELD-HF): protocol for a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a prevalent comorbidity among patients with end-stage kidney disease. Although sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are validated in treating heart failure and ameliorating left ventricular hypertrophy among non-dialysis patients, the effects on dialysis patients are unknown. We previously investigated the pharmacokinetics of henagliflozin in patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) and clarified its safety.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is being conducted at three hospitals in Shanghai, China. A target of 108 HD or PD patients with HFpEF are randomly allocated to treatment group (henagliflozin 5 mg/day in addition to standard therapy) or control group (placebo with standard therapy) at a ratio of 1:1. All subjects will be followed up for 24 weeks. The primary outcome is change in echocardiography-measured left ventricular mass index. The secondary interests include changes in left atrial volume index, E/e', e' and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Intergroup comparisons of change in echocardiography-related outcomes from baseline to 24 weeks are based on a linear regression model adjusted for baseline values (analysis of covariance), and repeated measure analysis of variance with Bonferroni adjustment is employed for comparison of change in NT-proBNP. Subgroup analyses of the primary and secondary outcomes are conducted to determine whether the effect of henagliflozin varies according to dialysis modality. The χ2 method is used to compare the occurrence of adverse events and severe adverse events.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This trial has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (LY2023-127-B). All participants provide written informed consent before screening. The results of the trial will be disclosed completely in international peer-reviewed journals. Both positive and negative results will be reported.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2300073169.

Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic, and Safety Profiles of Proline Henagliflozin in Chinese Subjects with Varying Degrees of Liver Dysfunction

Proline henagliflozin, a novel selective inhibitor of sodium glucose cotransporter 2, is a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. We designed a parallel-group, open-label, and multicenter study to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), and safety profiles of henagliflozin in Chinese subjects with varying degrees of liver dysfunction. Thirty-two subjects were enrolled and divided into four groups based on liver function (normal liver function, mild, moderate, or severe liver dysfunction). The area under the plasma concentration from time zero to infinity of henagliflozin in subjects with mild liver dysfunction, moderate liver dysfunction, and severe liver dysfunction compared with normal liver function was increased by 137%, 197%, and 204%, respectively. The maximum plasma concentration was also increased by 123%, 129%, and 139%, respectively. PK parameters of three metabolites varied to different degrees in the liver dysfunction groups than in the normal liver function group. The mean accumulative excretion amounts and fraction of dose excreted in urine expressed as a percentage were all increased with the decrease of liver function. The PD parameters were significantly higher in liver dysfunction groups than those in the normal liver function group. However, the urine creatinine (UCr) was not significantly different among the groups. No notable adverse events or adverse drug reactions were observed. Due to the higher exposures in subjects with liver dysfunction, the benefit: risk ratio should be individually assessed because the long-term safety profile and efficacy have not been specifically studied in this population.

Combination of retagliptin and henagliflozin as add-on therapy to metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3 trial

AIM

This study assessed the efficacy and safety of co-administering retagliptin and henagliflozin versus individual agents at corresponding doses in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were inadequately controlled with metformin.

METHODS

This multicentre, phase 3 trial consisted of a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled period. Patients with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels between 7.5% and 10.5% were randomized to receive once-daily retagliptin 100 mg (R100; n = 155), henagliflozin 5 mg (H5; n = 156), henagliflozin 10 mg (H10; n = 156), co-administered R100/H5 (n = 155), or R100/H10 (n = 156). The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24.

RESULTS

Based on the primary estimand, the least squares mean reductions in HbA1c at week 24 were significantly greater in the R100/H5 (-1.51%) and R100/H10 (-1.54%) groups compared with those receiving the corresponding doses of individual agents (-0.98% for R100, -0.86% for H5 and -0.95% for H10, respectively; p < .0001 for all pairwise comparisons). Achievement of HbA1c <7.0% at week 24 was observed in 27.1% of patients in the R100 group, 21.2% in the H5 group, 24.4% in the H10 group, 57.4% in the R100/H5 group and 56.4% in the R100/H10 group. Reductions in fasting plasma glucose and 2-h postprandial glucose were also more pronounced in the co-administration groups compared with the individual agents at corresponding doses. Decreases in body weight and systolic blood pressure were greater in the groups containing henagliflozin than in the R100 group. The incidence rates of adverse events were similar across all treatment groups, with no reported episodes of severe hypoglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled by metformin monotherapy, the co-administration of retagliptin and henagliflozin yielded more effective glycaemic control through 24 weeks compared with the individual agents at their corresponding doses.

Evaluation of Drug-Drug Interaction Between Henagliflozin and Hydrochlorothiazide in Healthy Chinese Volunteers

Purpose

Henagliflozin is an original, selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a common anti-hypertensive drug. This study aimed to evaluate the potential interaction between henagliflozin and HCTZ.

Methods

This was a single-arm, open-label, multi-dose, three-period study that was conducted in healthy Chinese volunteers. Twelve subjects were treated in three periods, period 1: 25 mg HCTZ for four days, period 2: 10 mg henagliflozin for four days and period 3: 25 mg HCTZ + 10 mg henagliflozin for four days. Blood samples and urine samples were collected before and up to 24 hours after drug administrations on day 4, day 10 and day 14. The plasma concentrations of henagliflozin and HCTZ were analyzed using LC-MS/MS. The urine samples were collected for pharmacodynamic glucose and electrolyte analyses. Tolerability was also evaluated.

Results

The 90% CI of the ratio of geometric means (combination: monotherapy) for AUCτ,ss of henagliflozin and HCTZ was within the bioequivalence interval of 0.80-1.25. For henagliflozin, co-administration increased Css, max by 24.32% and the 90% CI of the GMR was (108.34%, 142.65%), and the 24-hour urine volume and glucose excretion decreased by 0.43% and 19.6%, respectively. For HCTZ, co-administration decreased Css, max by 19.41% and the 90% CI of the GMR was (71.60%, 90.72%), and the 24-hour urine volume and urinary calcium, potassium, phosphorus, chloride, and sodium excretion decreased by 11.7%, 20.8%, 11.8%, 11.9%, 22.0% and 15.5%, respectively. All subjects (12/12) reported adverse events (AEs), but the majority of theses AEs were mild and no serious AEs were reported.

Conclusion

Although Css,max was affected by the combination of henagliflozin and HCTZ, there was no clinically meaningful safety interaction between them. Given these results, coadministration of HCTZ should not require any adaptation of henagliflozin dosing.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06083116.

Pharmacokinetics of Henagliflozin in Dialysis Patients with Diabetes

AIM

This study aimed to assess the pharmacokinetics of henagliflozin in dialysis patients with diabetes.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized, open-label study where 10 hemodialysis and 10 peritoneal dialysis patients with diabetes were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to oral administration of henagliflozin in doses of 5 and 10 mg/day. The pharmacokinetics of a single dose of henagliflozin on Days 1 and 2, the minimum plasma concentration (Cmin) of the steady state on Day 10, and single hemodialysis clearance of henagliflozin were measured.

RESULTS

The mean values of Cmax were 70.2-77.0 ng/mL and 105-143 ng/mL in the 5 mg and 10 mg henagliflozin groups, respectively; the mean values of AUCinf were 777-811 h*ng/mL and 1290-1730 h*ng/mL in the 5 mg and 10 mg henagliflozin groups, respectively. The median Tmax values ranged from 1 to 3 h across the dose range. The mean values of T1/2 of henagliflozin were 14.1-14.5 and 16.2-21.0 h in the 5 mg and 10 mg groups, respectively. The Cmin values of the steady state in dialysis patients taking 5 mg and 10 mg of henagliflozin were 15.0 ± 4.4 ng/mL and 26.8 ± 16.3 ng/mL, respectively, which were 123.8% and 131.0% higher than those in diabetic patients with normal renal function, respectively. Henagliflozin concentration was decreased by 1.1% after hemodialysis treatment. No treatment-related serious adverse events or discontinuations occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Henagliflozin at the current recommended dosage may be safe, although it is possible to result in slight accumulation in patients on dialysis.

REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry number ChiCTR2200062872. The date of registration: August 22, 2022.

Effects of Food and Multiple‐dose Administration on the Pharmacokinetic Properties of HR20033, a Sustained‐release Formulation of Henagliflozin and Metformin for the Treatment of Diabetes, in Healthy Chinese Volunteers

Henagliflozin proline and metformin hydrochloride sustained-release tablets (HR20033) are a fixed-dose combination of the novel, highly selective, and effective sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor henagliflozin, with a metformin sustained-release layer for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in conjunction with dietary control and exercise. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of a high-fat diet on the pharmacokinetics of henagliflozin and metformin after a single administration of HR20033 and the effect of repeated oral administration of HR20033 on their pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. The food-effect clinical study involved 18 healthy subjects randomized to receive either HR20033 in the fasted condition followed by HR20033 in the fed condition or the reverse schedule, with the two doses separated by a washout period of at least 7 days. The multiple-dose clinical study was conducted on 10 healthy subjects. In the food-effect study, compared with those in the fasted condition, the area under the blood concentration curve (AUC) and peak concentration (C_max ) of henagliflozin decreased by 12.64% and 40.89%, respectively, while the AUC of metformin increased by 31.13% and C_max decreased by 7.09% in the fed state. There was no significant accumulation of HR20033 in the body after multiple oral doses. No serious adverse event was observed in either of the two clinical studies. Food did not have a clinically meaningful effect on the absorption of HR20033.

Evaluation of Pharmacokinetic Interactions Between the New SGLT2 Inhibitor SHR3824 and Valsartan in Healthy Chinese Volunteers

PURPOSE

Hypertension is often observed in patients with diabetes, and the progression of diabetic nephropathy is closely related to blood pressure elevation. Thus, the effects of hypoglycemic drugs on kidney function and pharmacokinetic interactions in combination with antihypertensive and hypoglycemic drugs are of great clinical value. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic interactions between henagliflozin (SHR3824), a new sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor class drug, and valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

METHODS

A single-center, single-arm, open-label, self-controlled study was conducted in healthy Chinese volunteers. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with Phoenix WinNonlin version 7.0, and the statistical analysis was performed with SAS version 9.4. Data on pharmacokinetic parameters (single and/or steady-state) were collected and tabulated for different analytes (valsartan and SHR3824) according to the sampling time specified in the protocol. Continuous attention was paid to the safety of all subjects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a single dose of valsartan on the pharmacokinetic behavior of SHR3824 after multiple doses of SHR3824 (C_max,ss and AUC_τ,ss) and the effect of multiple doses of SHR3824 on the pharmacokinetic behavior of valsartan (C_max, AUC_0-24h, and AUC_0-∞). A mixed effect model was used to estimate the point estimation and 90% CI of the geometric mean ratio of the corresponding pharmacokinetic indices at the combined-medication stage (SHR3824 + valsartan) and the single-medication stage (SHR3824 or valsartan).

FINDINGS

Twelve volunteers were screened into this experiment and underwent blood sampling. The pharmacokinetic properties of SHR3824 were evaluated after its administration alone or in combination with valsartan. Point estimates and 90% CIs of the geometric mean ratio of SHR3824 C_max,ss and AUC_τ,ss were within the conventional bioequivalence range of 80% to 125%. The pharmacokinetic properties of valsartan were evaluated after its administration alone or in combination with SHR3824. The geometric mean ratios and 90% CIs of the valsartan C_max, AUC_0-24h, and AUC_0-∞ were also within the range of 80% to 125%. Thirty-four mild adverse events were reported, with no serious adverse events or suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions.

IMPLICATIONS

This study provides basis for the clinical co-administration of SHR3824 with angiotensin II receptor blockers represented by valsartan. Based on these findings, co-administration of SHR3824 and valsartan seemed to have no effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of either drug. Chinadrugtrials.org.cn Identifier: CTR20180002.

No apparent pharmacokinetic interactions were found between henagliflozin: A novel sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor and glimepiride in healthy Chinese male subjects

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Henagliflozin is a novel selective sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor with similar inhibitory effect to ertugliflozin. Glimepiride is widely used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with few cardiovascular side effects. In the present study, we aimed at evaluating the pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions between henagliflozin and glimepiride.

METHODS

An open-label, single-centre, single-arm, 3-period, 3-treatment, self-control study was conducted in twelve healthy Chinese male subjects. During each study period, subjects received a single oral dose of glimepiride 2 mg, multiple oral doses of henagliflozin 10 mg or a combination of the two drugs. Serial blood samples were collected 24 h post-dosing for PK analyses. Finger-tip blood glucose was also tested for safety evaluation.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Co-administration of henagliflozin with glimepiride did not affect their plasma PK profiles. For henagliflozin, the 90% confidence intervals for the geometric mean ratio (GMR) for the maximum plasma concentrations at steady-state (C_{max ss} ) and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve during a dosing interval at steady-state (AUC_{τ, ss} ) of combination therapy to henagliflozin alone were 1.00 (0.93-1.08) and 1.00 (0.98-1.02), respectively. For glimepiride, the corresponding values of combination therapy to glimepiride alone were 1.00 (0.88-1.13) for maximum plasma concentrations (C_max ), 0.91 (0.84-0.99) for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0-24 h (AUC_0-24h ) and 0.91 (0.83-1.00) for the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinite (AUC_0-inf ), respectively. All values fell within the equivalence range of 0.8-1.25. All monotherapies and combination therapy led to no serious adverse events and were well tolerated.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Multiple doses of henagliflozin did not exert a significant change on glimepiride PK profiles and a single dose of glimepiride had little effect on henagliflozin blood concentration. Thus, henagliflozin can be co-administered with glimepiride without dose adjustment of either drug.

Effects of Food on the Pharmacokinetic Properties and Mass Balance of Henagliflozin in Healthy Male Volunteers

PURPOSE

Henagliflozin is a highly selective and effective sodium glucose co-transporter (SGLT)-2 inhibitor developed for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the effects of meal intake on the pharmacokinetic properties of henagliflozin, and to understand the excretion pathways of henagliflozin in humans.

METHODS

In this Phase I, randomized, open-label, single-dose, two-period crossover study, 12 healthy male Chinese volunteers were randomized to receive either henagliflozin 10 mg in the fasted condition followed by henagliflozin 10 mg in the fed condition, or the reverse schedule, with the two administrations separated by a washout period of at least 7 days. Samples of blood, urine, and feces were collected and analyzed for the investigation of the pharmacokinetic profile and excretion pathways in the fasted and fed conditions. Any adverse events that occurred throughout the study were recorded for tolerability assessment.

FINDINGS

After the administration of a single oral dose of henagliflozin, mean (SD) plasma AUC_0-∞ and C_max were 1200 (274) h · ng/mL and 179 (48.8) ng/mL, respectively, in the fasted state and were decreased to 971 (245) h · ng/mL and 115 (34.2) ng/mL in the fed state. The fed/fasted ratios (90% CIs) of the geometric mean values of C_max, AUC_0-t, and AUC_0-∞ were 64% (54%-76%), 80% (76%-85%), and 80% (76%-85%), respectively. The median (range) T_max was prolonged from 1.5 (1-3) hours in the fasted condition to 2 (1.5-6) hours in the fed condition. Mass-balance testing revealed that henagliflozin was eliminated primarily as the parent drug in feces and as glucuronide metabolites in urine. In the fasted state, the cumulative excretion percentages of the parent drug and its metabolites to dose in feces and urine were 40.6% and 33.9%, respectively. The values in the fed condition were changed to 50.4% and 25.5%, respectively. These findings suggest that postprandial administration decreases the absorption rate and the extent of henagliflozin exposure in humans, but has no effect on the metabolism or elimination of the drug.

IMPLICATIONS

In the present study, the consumption of a high-fat meal prior to henagliflozin administration was associated with reductions in AUC_0-∞ and C_max of 19.4% and 36.4%, respectively. However, based on the analysis of the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic findings on henagliflozin, this slight change may not have clinical significance. Mass balance of henagliflozin in humans was achieved with ∼75% of the administered dose recovered in excretions within 4 days after administration whether in the fasted or fed state. These findings suggest that henagliflozin tablets can be administered with or without food.

Henagliflozin monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on diet and exercise: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial

AIM

To evaluate henagliflozin, a novel sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, as monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control with diet and exercise.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This multicentre trial included a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled period, followed by a 28-week extension period. Four hundred and sixty-eight patients with an HbA1c of 7.0%-10.5% were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to receive once-daily placebo, or 5 or 10 mg henagliflozin. After 24 weeks, patients on placebo were switched to 5 or 10 mg henagliflozin, and patients on henagliflozin maintained the initial therapy. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from baseline after 24 weeks.

RESULTS

At Week 24, the placebo-adjusted least squares (LS) mean changes from baseline in HbA1c were -0.91% (95% CI: -1.11% to -0.72%; P < .001) and -0.94% (-1.13% to -0.75%; P < .001) with henagliflozin 5 and 10 mg, respectively; the placebo-adjusted LS mean changes were -1.3 (-1.8 to -0.9) and -1.5 (-2.0 to -1.1) kg in body weight, and -5.1 (-7.2 to -3.0) and -4.4 (-6.5 to -2.3) mmHg in systolic blood pressure (all P < .05). The trends of these improvements were sustained for an additional 28 weeks. Adverse events occurred in 81.0%, 78.9% and 78.9% of patients in the placebo, henagliflozin 5 and 10 mg groups, respectively. No diabetic ketoacidosis or major episodes of hypoglycaemia occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Henagliflozin 5 mg and 10 mg as monotherapy provided effective glycaemic control, reduced body weight and blood pressure, and was generally well tolerated.

Tolerability, Pharmacokinetic, and Pharmacodynamic Profiles of Henagliflozin, a Novel Selective Inhibitor of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2, in Healthy Subjects Following Single- and Multiple-dose Administration

BACKGROUND

Henagliflozin, a novel selective inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2, is under development as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the tolerability, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of henagliflozin in healthy Chinese volunteers.

METHODS

Two clinical studies were conducted. One was a single ascending dose (SAD) study (2.5-200 mg) involving 80 healthy subjects, and the other was a multiple ascending dose (MAD) study (1.25-100 mg for 10 days) involving 48 healthy subjects. The tolerability, PK profiles of henagliflozin and its main metabolites, and the urinary glucose excretion over 24 h were characterized in these 2 studies.

FINDINGS

No serious adverse events were observed in the healthy subjects after single- and multiple-dose oral administration of henagliflozin, suggesting that this drug was well tolerated. Henagliflozin was rapidly absorbed, with a T_max of 1.5-3 h, and then eliminated from plasma with a half-life of 11-15 h. It was not accumulated following once-daily oral administration. Plasma exposure of henagliflozin exhibited dose-proportional PK properties over the dose ranges of 2.5-200 mg (SAD) and 1.25-100 mg (MAD). The excretion of henagliflozin in urine was found to be very low, with 3.00%-5.13% of the dose. The glucuronide metabolites M5-1, M5-2 and M5-3 were the main metabolites detected in plasma samples, which accounted for up to 54.3%, 19.8%, and 27.5%, respectively, of the parent drug at steady state. Both the SAD and MAD studies demonstrated that the urinary glucose excretion over 24 h was dose-dependently increased and displayed saturation kinetics at >25 mg. No significant changes in the levels of serum glucose and urine electrolytes were found following a single or multiple doses of henagliflozin administration.

IMPLICATIONS

Henagliflozin was well tolerated and showed predictable PK/PD profiles in these healthy subjects. Henagliflozin did not affect blood glucose level or urinary electrolyte excretion. It is best characterized for once-daily administration with a maximum dose of 25 mg. ChinaDrugTrials.org.cn identifiers: CTR20131986 and CTR20140132.

Characterization and quantitative determination of henagliflozin metabolites in humans

Henagliflozin is a highly specific inhibitor of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) proposed as a more efficient medication for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this work, henagliflozin metabolic profile was investigated in human plasma and urine samples using a newly developed high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/Q-TOF MS) method. A total of 8 metabolites were observed, while the structures of four major metabolites, including M1 (O-deethylation metabolite), M5-1 (2-O-β-glucuronide conjugate), M5-2 (6-O-β-glucuronide conjugate), and M5-3 (3-O-β-glucuronide conjugate) were confirmed in our study after comparison with the reference standards. The principal henagliflozin metabolic pathways were identified as glucuronidation and O-deethylation in humans. The principal form of henagliflozin in human plasma was parent drug, followed by M5-1; while it was M5-3 and M5-1 in urine. Subsequently, an accurate and simple LC-MS/MS method was developed for simultaneously determine M5-1, M5-2, and M5-3 in human plasma. After optimization of this method, three M5 isomers were successfully separated and quantified using chromatography. Acetonitrile-induced protein precipitation method was adapted for extracting the analytes from human plasma. Separation was conducted using Gemini C₁₈ column under gradient elution with 5 mM aqueous ammonium acetate (A) and acetonitrile (B) mobile phases. Negative electrospray ionization was conducted using a selective reaction monitoring with the same transition of m/z 629→321 for detection of three M5 isomers. The method showed good linearities for M5-1, M5-2, and M5-3 within the range of 1.00-150 ng/mL, 0.500-75.0 ng/mL, and 1.00-150 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusively, the method has been applied successfully to assess phase I henagliflozin pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and providing effective safety evaluations.

An update of SGLT1 and SGLT2 inhibitors in early phase diabetes-type 2 clinical trials

Introduction: More than 424 million adults have diabetes mellitus (DM). This number is expected to increase to 626 million by 2045. The majority (90-95%) of people with DM has type 2-diabetes (T2DM). The continued prevalence of DM and associated complications has prompted investigators to find new therapies. One of the most recent additions to the anti-diabetic armamentarium are inhibitors of sodium-glucose co-transporters 1 and 2 (SGLT1, SGLT2). Areas covered: The authors review the status of SGLT2 inhibitors for the treatment of T2DM and place an emphasis on those agents in early phase clinical trials. Data and information were retrieved from American Diabetes Association, Diabetes UK, ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, and Scopus websites. The keywords used in the search were T2DM, SGLT1, SGLT2, and clinical trials. Expert opinion: The benefits of SGLT inhibitors include reductions in serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, blood pressure and cardiovascular and renal events. However, SGLT inhibitors increase the risk of genitourinary tract infections, diabetic ketoacidosis, and bone fractures. The development of SGLT inhibitors with fewer side effects and as combination therapies are the key to maximizing the therapeutic effects of this important class of anti-diabetic drug.