Change in pharmacodynamic variables following once-weekly tirzepatide treatment versus dulaglutide in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS J-mono substudy)

Effects of patient age on the therapeutic effects of GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists (tirzepatide)

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) has attracted attention owing to its hypoglycemic and weight-loss effects, and various dosage forms are available in the market. Recently, glucose-dependent insulin secretion-stimulating polypeptide (GIP), an incretin hormone in the same family as GLP-1, has attracted attention, and tirzepatide, a GIP/GLP-1RA, has been launched. Given the short duration of tirzepatide on the market and the fact that its therapeutic effects in patients of different ages have not been reported, we conducted this study. HbA1c improved significantly in patients aged ≥ 65 years, whereas HbA1c, weight, and LDL cholesterol also improved significantly in patients aged ≤ 64 years when compared between the beginning of use and 3 months following use. Tirzepatide has a hypoglycemic effect regardless of age; however, its weight loss effect may be more pronounced in younger age groups. Therefore, optimal diabetes treatment with tirzepatide should consider the age and weight of patients.

Association of bodyweight loss with changes in lipids, blood pressure, and fasting serum glucose following tirzepatide treatment in Japanese participants with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis of the SURPASS J-mono trial

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

In the SURPASS J-mono trial, tirzepatide demonstrated significant improvements in bodyweight and several metabolic parameters in Japanese participants with type 2 diabetes. This post hoc analysis evaluated the potential relationships between weight loss and metabolic improvements in SURPASS J-mono.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Metabolic parameter data from tirzepatide-treated participants were analyzed by weight loss subgroups and compared to dulaglutide 0.75 mg. Correlations between changes from baseline to week 52 in weight loss and each metabolic parameter were assessed; Pearson correlation coefficients were derived. Mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate weight loss-associated and -unassociated effects of tirzepatide vs dulaglutide 0.75 mg.

RESULTS

This analysis included 548 participants (tirzepatide: n = 411, dulaglutide: n = 137). Weight loss subgroups showed greater improvement in metabolic parameters with greater bodyweight loss. Significant (P < 0.05) but weak correlations between changes in bodyweight and triglycerides (r = 0.18-0.25), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.37 to -0.29), and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.19-0.41) were observed across treatment groups; in diastolic blood pressure in the tirzepatide 5-mg (r = 0.28), pooled tirzepatide (r = 0.20), and dulaglutide 0.75-mg (r = 0.23) groups; and in fasting serum glucose in the dulaglutide 0.75-mg (r = 0.18) and pooled tirzepatide (r = 0.13) groups. Weight loss was associated with treatment differences between tirzepatide and dulaglutide 0.75 mg to varying degrees across metabolic parameters, with improvements in fasting serum glucose having the lowest association with weight loss (36.6%-43.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this post hoc analysis, non-glycemic and glycemic parameter improvements appeared differentially associated with weight loss, suggesting both weight loss-associated and -unassociated effects of tirzepatide.

Insulin Sensitivity and Beta-Cell Function Following Tirzepatide in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A SURPASS J-mono Analysis

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this work was to assess the association of tirzepatide with changes in insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

This was a prespecified analysis of SURPASS J-mono, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled phase 3 study in Japanese participants with T2D. Participants were randomly assigned to receive tirzepatide 5, 10, 15 mg, or dulaglutide 0.75 mg once weekly for 52 weeks. Changes from baseline in homeostatic model assessment (HOMA2) parameters were assessed by a mixed model for repeated measures. Post hoc subgroup analyses were conducted based on high and low baseline C-peptide categories (cutoff: median 1.86 µg/l).

RESULTS

This analysis included 636 participants (tirzepatide 5 mg: n = 159; 10 mg: n = 158; 15 mg: n = 160; dulaglutide 0.75 mg: n = 159). Fasting insulin and C-peptide levels were significantly reduced from baseline at week 52 at all three tirzepatide doses compared with dulaglutide 0.75 mg (estimated treatment differences [ETDs] for tirzepatide 5, 10, and 15 mg, respectively: insulin, - 22.6%, - 29.8%, and - 31.0%; C-peptide, - 14.2%, - 21.5%, and - 20.7%; p < 0.001 all comparisons). Insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function indices significantly increased in all tirzepatide groups compared with the dulaglutide 0.75-mg group (ETDs for tirzepatide 5, 10, and 15 mg, respectively: HOMA2-%S [insulin], 31.8%, 43.2%, and 49.9%; HOMA2-%S [C-peptide], 24.8%, 33.9%, and 38.2%; HOMA2-%B [insulin], 27.3%, 34.9%, and 40.6%; HOMA2-%B [C-peptide], 31.6%, 40.1%, and 46.7%; p < 0.001 all comparisons). Regardless of baseline C-peptide level, the tirzepatide groups showed significant improvement in glycated hemoglobin at week 52 compared with the dulaglutide group (C-peptide < 1.86 µg/l: - 2.31% to - 2.75% vs. - 1.45%; ≥ 1.86 µg/l: - 2.43% to - 2.89% vs. - 1.12%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In these prespecified and post hoc analyses, tirzepatide was associated with improved insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in Japanese participants with T2D, which may result in reduced fasting insulin levels.

CLINICALTRIALS

GOV: NCT03861052.

Impacts of tirzepatide on older patients with diminished β-cell function and dementia

Tirzepatide could control postprandial hyperglycemia even in cases with diminished β-cell function. This finding gives new insight into the treatment of older patients with diabetes. However, tilzepatide does not replace basal insulin in cases with diminished β-cell function and requires careful observation for sarcopenia.

Why does GLP-1 agonist combined with GIP and/or GCG agonist have greater weight loss effect than GLP-1 agonist alone in obese adults without type 2 diabetes?

Obesity is a chronic condition demanding effective treatment strategies, among which pharmacotherapy plays a critical role. As glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long-term weight management in adults with obesity, liraglutide and semaglutide have great weight loss effect through reducing food intake and delaying gastric emptying. The emergence of unimolecular polypharmacology, which utilizes single molecules to simultaneously target multiple receptors or pathways, marked a revolutionary improvement in GLP-1-based obesity pharmacotherapy. The dual agonist tirzepatide activates both GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors and has shown enhanced potency for weight loss compared to conventional GLP-1 mono agonist. Furthermore, emerging data suggests that unimolecular GLP-1/glucagon (GCG) dual agonist, as well as GLP-1/GIP/GCG triple agonist, may offer superior weight loss efficacy over GLP-1 agonist. This review summarizes the comprehensive mechanisms underlying the pronounced advantages of GLP-1/GIP dual agonist, GLP-1/GCG dual agonist and GLP-1/GIP/GCG triple agonist over GLP-1 mono agonist in weight reduction in obese adults without type 2 diabetes. A deeper understanding of these unimolecular multitargeting GLP-1-based agonists will provide insights for their clinical application and guide the development of new drugs for obesity treatment.

Euglycemic Ketoacidosis Following Coadministration of an SGLT2 Inhibitor and Tirzepatide

Euglycemic ketoacidosis (EKA) is a life-threatening condition characterized by ketone production leading to systemic acidosis, dehydration, and end-organ damage. It presents similarly to diabetic ketoacidosis, except that patients have normal to slightly elevated blood glucose levels. EKA is an increasingly recognized complication of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Recently the novel dual GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonist tirzepatide was approved for treatment of diabetes and weight loss. Here, we describe a unique case in which a patient placed on both an SGLT2 inhibitor and tirzepatide to treat type 2 diabetes was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for EKA. To our knowledge, this is the first case detailing a patient developing this serious condition after starting tirzepatide for diabetes. The patient required treatment and monitoring in an ICU to make a full recovery. As tirzepatide is a relatively new medication whose side effect profile has yet to be fully characterized, clinicians should be aware of this rare yet potentially fatal complication.

Greater improvement in insulin sensitivity per unit weight loss associated with tirzepatide versus semaglutide: An exploratory analysis

AIMS

To explore the relationship between weight loss and insulin sensitivity in response to tirzepatide or semaglutide.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a post hoc exploratory analysis of a 28-week, double-blind, randomized trial in people with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin, randomized to tirzepatide 15 mg, semaglutide 1 mg or placebo. We evaluated the relationship between change in body weight and change in insulin sensitivity determined from hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (M value), or from mixed-meal tolerance testing (Matsuda index).

RESULTS

Tirzepatide was associated with a greater improvement than semaglutide in insulin sensitivity assessed using hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps (p < 0.001). With tirzepatide, improvements in insulin sensitivity were associated with percent change in weight (R = -0.656, p < 0.0001). With semaglutide, change in insulin sensitivity was less strongly correlated with percent change in weight (R = -0.268, p = 0.0820; p = 0.0242 vs. tirzepatide). In regression analyses, the slope of the relationship between change in M value and change in weight was statistically different between semaglutide and tirzepatide (p = 0.0461). These relationships were also assessed using the Matsuda index as the metric of insulin sensitivity, and using change in fat mass as the determinant of change in insulin sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Improvement in insulin sensitivity was proportional to weight and fat loss, with greater strength of association with tirzepatide. In regression analysis, tirzepatide was associated with greater improvement in insulin sensitivity per unit weight loss than semaglutide. The greater improvement in insulin sensitivity following treatment with tirzepatide was not simply attributable to greater weight or fat loss.

Effects of the switch from dulaglutide to tirzepatide on glycemic control, body weight, and fatty liver: a retrospective study

Objectives

Tirzepatide belongs to a new class of anti-diabetic agents that stimulate both glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptors, resulting in a greater blood glucose-lowering effect and body weight reduction than glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs. However, data on the effects of switching from glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs to tirzepatide on the blood glucose level, body weight, and liver functions are unavailable.

Methods

Data from 40 patients with type 2 diabetes who received a prescription change from dulaglutide to tirzepatide were retrospectively analyzed at the 3 and 6 months after the switch. The analyzed data included glycosylated hemoglobin, body weight, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels, and fibrosis-4 index.

Results

Six months after the treatment switch, average reductions of 1.2% and 3.6 kg were observed in the glycosylated hemoglobin and body weight, respectively. The change in glycosylated hemoglobin level was negatively correlated with the baseline glycosylated hemoglobin level. However, body weight reduction was observed regardless of the baseline characteristics. Moreover, the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels decreased 6 months after the switch. Reductions in alanine aminotransferase levels was greater in patients with higher baseline aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels. Although the fibrosis-4 index did not improve during the study period, a trend toward a decrease was observed in patients with a higher baseline fibrosis-4 index.

Conclusions

Switching from dulaglutide to tirzepatide has a beneficial effect on the blood glucose level, body weight, and liver function in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Why People Seek Obesity Care Through Digital Rather Than In-Person Services: A Quantitative Multinational Analysis of Patients From a Large Unsubsidized Digital Obesity Provider

Digital modalities have been demonstrated to improve access and adherence to various chronic care services by mitigating geographical, temporal, and psychological barriers to ongoing multidisciplinary consultations, which such diseases necessitate. The net utility of medication-supported digital weight-loss services (DWLSs) has been intensely debated over the past few years due to their rapid uptake against the backdrop of the obesity epidemic. However, research on these services in real-world settings is scarce. Patients of a large multinational DWLS were emailed a four-question survey, soliciting their reasons for using the service instead of face-to-face (F2F) alternatives. Responses were collected from 1,283 patients, including 481 from the United Kingdom, 428 from Germany, and 374 from Australia. Personal discomfort in discussing weight loss in F2F settings was the most common reason for subscribing to the Eucalyptus DWLS across the full cohort (N = 557, 43.41%), followed by the modality's flexibility (N = 441, 34.37%), patient inability to access comprehensive obesity care through a local general practitioner (GP) (N = 435, 33.90%), and marketing or brand awareness (N = 358, 27.90%). Several significant differences were observed between country, gender, ethnicity, and regular GP status across each of the subscription reasons. This study contributed another important layer to the emerging literature on DWLSs by generating preliminary quantitative evidence of their benefits to obesity care access. However, the findings also indicated that a certain number of patients may be subscribing to such services simply to access weight-loss medications rather than multidisciplinary care. To derive clearer conclusions about this concern, follow-up studies should aim to analyze health coaching engagement markers across a range of service providers.

The effectiveness and sustainability of health outcomes from a holistic digital weight-loss service with concomitant initiation of tirzepatide: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial in the UK

AIM

To measure the effectiveness and sustainability of the Juniper UK digital weight-loss service (DWLS), which delivers 6 months of personalized, proactive lifestyle coaching supplemented with tirzepatide to patients through a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

METHODS

An observer-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted on a cohort of non-diabetic patients of the Juniper DWLS in the UK. Participants in both the intervention and control groups will receive weekly subcutaneous injections of 2.5 mg tirzepatide for 4 weeks, uptitrating the dose to 5.0 mg from weeks 5 to 8, and by 2.5 mg every 4 weeks until reaching 15 mg in week 21, which they will maintain until the end of the intervention period at 6 months, when participants will be taken off the medication. The intervention group will receive personalized weeklylifestyle coaching with a focus on protein intake and resistance training for 6 months. Participants in the control group will attend a diet and exercise group counselling session at programme inception and will be sent a summary of the session's content at months 2 and 4. Aside from these events, health coaches will only interact with control group participants on a reactive basis. From month 6 to month 12, participants from both groups will no longer have access to their MDTs. The trial's co-primary endpoints include weight loss, fat-free to fat-mass ratio and composite strength measures at 12 months (6 months following the end of treatment), compared with baseline. Secondary endpoints include percentage change in weight, fat-free to fat-mass ratio, and composite strength from baseline to 6 months, side effect incidence, and change in cardiometabolic risk factors at 12 months. Quality of life and programme engagement represent the study's exploratory endpoints.

RESULTS

A total of 688 participants enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 44.6 (± 11.4) years and a mean body mass index of 34.8 (± 7.5) kg/m2; 81.0% of participants are women, and 72.8% are of White ethnicity. More than three-quarters of participants have at least one co-morbidity, with dyslipidaemia (42.4%), hypertension (35.3%) and high cholesterol (31.8%) being the most prevalent conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

This RCT will be the first to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of a real-world intensive, multidisciplinary DWLS, and it should highlight the potential of such a service for long-term obesity treatment compared with programmes that deliver standard health counselling.

The Effect of Tirzepatide on Body Composition in People with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review of Randomized, Controlled Studies

Tirzepatide (TZP) is a new anti-obesity drug, and little is currently known about its effect on body composition (BC) in people with overweight or obesity. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review on the impact of TZP on BC compartments in this population during weight loss programs. Literature searches, study selection, method development, and quality appraisal were performed. The data were synthesized using a narrative approach, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Of the 1379 papers retrieved, 6 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed, revealing the following findings. Firstly, TZP was shown to result in a significant reduction in total fat mass (FM), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and waist circumference (WC) between baseline and short as well as intermediate follow-ups. Compared to other anti-obesity medications (e.g., dulaglutide and semaglutide) taken over the same duration, TZP showed a superior decrease in body fat compartments (i.e., total FM, VAT and WC). Finally, the effect of TZP on fat-free mass (FFM) is still uncertain because the findings remain inconclusive. In conclusion, TZP appears to be an effective strategy for achieving significant improvements in body fat and its distribution, but additional investigations are still needed to determine the impact of TZP on lean mass in this population.

Tirzepatide's innovative applications in the management of type 2 diabetes and its future prospects in cardiovascular health

Tirzepatide, a novel GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist, shows significant advantages in glycemic management and weight control. By summarizing the results of the SURMOUNT and SURPASS clinical trials, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide in reducing blood glucose and weight. These trials indicate that tirzepatide significantly lowers HbA1c levels (with a maximum reduction of 2.24%) and promotes weight loss (up to 11.2 kg) with good tolerability. However, there are still some challenges in its clinical application, including high treatment costs and gastrointestinal discomfort. Additionally, the safety and efficacy of tirzepatide in special populations, such as patients with renal impairment, require further investigation. Future large-scale clinical trials, such as SURPASS-CVOT and SUMMIT, are expected to further verify the long-term benefits of tirzepatide in cardiovascular health management, providing stronger evidence for its comprehensive treatment of diabetes and its complications.

The impact of approved anti-obesity medications on osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Obesity has been established as a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis. Anti-obesity medications (AOMs) have demonstrated efficacy in weight management. However, potential impact on osteoarthritis risk remains uncertain.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used Kythera data from NOV2022 to JULY2024. Patients with obesity using AOMs were identified through diagnosis and prescription claims for tirzepatide, semaglutide, or liraglutide between 1NOV2023 and 31JAN2024, with a 6-month follow-up to assess OA risk. OA risk, analyzed using Cox regression and propensity score matching, controlled for comorbidities and sociodemographic factors.

RESULTS

There were 39,394 patients living with obesity using AOM (23,933 semaglutide 12,854 tirzepatide, 2,607 liraglutide) and 72,405 without AOM use. The adjusted osteoarthritis risk was 27% % lower in AOM users than in non-users (hazard ratio (HR) = 073, 95% CI (0.67-0.79), p < 0.01). Among AOMs, tirzepatide was associated with a significantly lower osteoarthritis (OA) risk compared to semaglutide (HR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.50-0.65, p < 0.0001). Liraglutide was linked to a significantly higher OA risk vs tirzepatide (HR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.23-2.15, p = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS

AOM use was associated with a significantly lower risk of OA and may be an effective obesity management intervention.

Advances in clinical research on glucagon

We are now celebrating the 100th anniversary of the discovery of an important pancreatic hormone, glucagon. Glucagon is historically described as a diabetogenic hormone elevating glucose levels via increases in insulin resistance and hepatic gluconeogenesis. The more recently identified actions of glucagon include not only its pathophysiologic effects on glucose metabolism but also its significant roles in amino-acid metabolism in the liver. The possibility that abnormalities in α-cells' secretion of glucagon in metabolic disorders are a compensatory adaptation for the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis is another current issue. However, the clinical research concerning glucagon has been considerably behind the advances in basic research due to the lack of suitable methodology for obtaining precise measurements of plasma glucagon levels in humans. The precise physiology of glucagon secretory dynamics in individuals with metabolic dysfunction (including diabetes) has been clarified since the development in 2014 of a quantitative measurement technique for glucagon. In this review, we summarize the advances in the clinical research concerning glucagon, including those of our studies and the relevant literature.

Sarcopenic obesity in older adults: a clinical overview

Sarcopenic obesity is characterized by a concurrent decline in muscle mass and function, along with increased adipose tissue. Sarcopenic obesity is a growing concern in older adults owing to significant health consequences, including implications for mortality, comorbidities and risk of developing geriatric syndromes. A 2022 consensus statement established a new definition and diagnostic criteria for sarcopenic obesity. The pathophysiology of this condition involves a complex interplay between muscle, adipose tissue, hormonal changes, inflammation, oxidative stress and lifestyle factors, among others. Sarcopenic obesity is treated with a range of management approaches, such as lifestyle interventions, exercise, nutrition and medical therapies. Emerging therapies that were developed for treating other conditions may be relevant to sarcopenic obesity, including novel pharmacological agents and personalized approaches such as precision medicine. In this Review, we synthesize the current knowledge of the clinical importance of sarcopenic obesity, its assessment and diagnosis, along with current and emerging management strategies.

Tirzepatide Reduces Fat Mass and Provides Good Glycaemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

Tirzepatide is an injectable peptide approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Its weight-loss effect primarily targets fat reduction; however, such effect on patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing haemodialysis (HD) has not been reported.

METHODS

Nine patients with CKD undergoing HD received weekly tirzepatide doses (2.5-7.5 mg) once a week. Evaluations encompassed tirzepatide's impact on dry weight (DW) and body composition assessed at baseline and study conclusion using bioelectrical impedance analysis. This longitudinal study included nine patients, with a median age of 53 years and median HD duration of 4 years.

RESULTS

Tirzepatide treatment significantly decreased glycated albumin compared with the value at baseline (22.7 ± 5.4 vs. 18.3 ± 2.5%, p = 0.028, respectively). Significant reductions were observed in DW (-1.0 kg, p = 0.024) and body mass index (-0.6 kg/m2, p = 0.050) following tirzepatide administration. Total fat mass was also reduced, but not significantly (- 2.51% from baseline, p = 0.214). In contrast, skeletal muscle mass was not decreased (-1.02% from baseline, p = 0.722). No serious side effects other than nausea were observed during the study period.

CONCLUSION

Tirzepatide effectively provides good glycaemic control in T2DM patients undergoing HD, decreasing DW by reducing body fat mass without increasing frailty risk.

Metabolic Abnormalities Following Tirzepatide Monotherapy in Japanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Phase 3 SURPASS J-mono Post Hoc Analysis

INTRODUCTION

The presence of metabolic abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities. This analysis compared the effects of tirzepatide (5, 10, and 15 mg) and dulaglutide 0.75 mg on the prevalence of metabolic abnormalities in Japanese patients with T2D.

METHODS

This was a post hoc analysis of SURPASS J-mono, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 trial that compared the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide monotherapy (5, 10, and 15 mg) to dulaglutide 0.75 mg in Japanese patients with T2D. Thresholds for abnormalities were based on the Japanese criteria for metabolic syndrome. Proportions of participants meeting a composite endpoint (visceral fat accumulation measured by waist circumference plus two or more of dyslipidemia, hypertension, or hyperglycemia) or individual component thresholds were calculated at baseline and week 52 for the overall population and for baseline body mass index (BMI) subgroups (< 25, 25 to < 30, and ≥ 30 kg/m2).

RESULTS

Of 636 randomized participants, 431 (67.8%) met the composite endpoint at baseline, with similar findings observed across treatment arms. At week 52, the proportion of participants on treatment that met the composite endpoint was 31.7%, 23.0%, and 14.2% in the tirzepatide 5-, 10-, and 15-mg arms, respectively, and 56.5% in the dulaglutide arm (p < 0.001). A higher proportion met the composite endpoint at baseline in the BMI 25 to < 30 and ≥ 30 kg/m2 subgroups (73.2-79.3%) compared with the < 25 kg/m2 subgroup (45.3%), with reductions observed across all BMI subgroups treated with tirzepatide. The proportion of participants with individual metabolic abnormalities showed similar trends to those observed for the composite endpoint. Tirzepatide was consistently superior to dulaglutide across all assessments.

CONCLUSIONS

Tirzepatide reduced the prevalence of multiple metabolic abnormalities, indicating tirzepatide may have metabolic benefit in Japanese patients with T2D.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03861052.

The Body weight Reducing Effects of Tirzepatide in People with and without Type 2 Diabetes: A Review on Efficacy and Adverse Effects

Obesity is becoming more frequent and has several negative health impacts. Recent advances in weight management strategies have primarily resided in pharmaceutical treatments, and the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have shown great potential in terms of body weight reduction in addition to improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Recently, the dual GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist tirzepatide has been developed. Tirzepatide has shown strong effects on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels in several clinical trials including participants with T2D (SURPASS program). In addition to its lowering effect on HbA1C, tirzepatide leads to substantial reductions in body weight, and a series of clinical trials (SURMOUNT program) have investigated the effects on body weight as the primary outcome. In these two trial programs, tirzepatide in doses of 5 mg to 15 mg administered subcutaneously once weekly resulted in body weight reduction of up to 15% in participants with T2D and up to 21% in participants without T2D, despite comparable baseline bodyweight. Across the two trial programs, adverse effects were mainly gastrointestinal (nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting) occurring with similar incidences of vomiting and lower incidences of diarrhea and nausea in trial participants with T2D compared to trials participants without T2D. Overall, discontinuation due to adverse events occurred in 3-7% of participants with no major differences between individuals with and without T2D. The higher weight-reducing efficacy of tirzepatide in trial participants without T2D is currently unexplained and may be partly reflected in dissimilarities in frequencies of gastrointestinal adverse events. The weight reducing effects of tirzepatide hold great promise for weight management in obese patients regardless of the presence of T2D.

Glycaemic control, body weight, and safety of tirzepatide versus dulaglutide by baseline glycated haemoglobin level in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: A subgroup analysis of the SURPASS J-mono study

AIM

To evaluate glycaemic control, body weight, and safety outcomes following treatment with tirzepatide or dulaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with a baseline haemoglobin (HbA1c) level of ≤8.5% (≤69 mmol/mol) versus >8.5% (>69 mmol/mol).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SURPASS J-mono was a 52-week, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel, active-controlled, phase 3 study conducted in Japan. In this exploratory subgroup analysis of SURPASS J-mono, we examined mean change in HbA1c and body weight and the incidence of adverse events (AEs) in patients with a baseline HbA1c of ≤8.5% versus >8.5% after treatment with tirzepatide (5, 10 or 15 mg) or dulaglutide 0.75 mg.

RESULTS

Of 636 randomized participants, 203 had a baseline HbA1c of >8.5% and 433 had a baseline HbA1c of ≤8.5% (range ≥7.0% to ≤10.0%). Both subgroups showed significantly greater reductions in HbA1c and body weight with any-dose tirzepatide versus dulaglutide 0.75 mg, with greater HbA1c reductions observed in patients with a baseline HbA1c of >8.5% treated with tirzepatide (least squares mean [LSM] differences of -3.13% to -3.86%) or dulaglutide (LSM -1.81%) compared with patients with a baseline HbA1c of ≤8.5% (LSM -2.00% to -2.32%) or dulaglutide (LSM -1.05%; treatment-by-baseline HbA1c subgroup interaction P ≤ 0.001). For the tirzepatide treatment arms, LSM change from baseline in body weight ranged from -6.7 to -10.7 kg for the baseline HbA1c ≤8.5% subgroup and from -4.0 to -10.6 kg for the baseline HbA1c >8.5% subgroup, compared with -0.6 kg and -0.4 kg, respectively, for the dulaglutide arm. The incidence of hypoglycaemia was low, with no substantial difference in hypoglycaemia or treatment-emergent AEs between subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of baseline HbA1c (≤8.5% or >8.5%), tirzepatide at doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg is effective in Japanese patients with T2D compared with dulaglutide 0.75 mg in terms of glycaemic control and body weight reduction, with an adequate safety profile consistent with previous reports.

Sarcopenia and Diabetes: A Detrimental Liaison of Advancing Age

Sarcopenia is an age-related clinical complaint characterized by the progressive deterioration of skeletal muscle mass and strength over time. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with faster and more relevant skeletal muscle impairment. Both conditions influence each other, leading to negative consequences on glycemic control, cardiovascular risk, general health status, risk of falls, frailty, overall quality of life, and mortality. PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for research articles, scientific reports, observational studies, clinical trials, narrative and systematic reviews, and meta-analyses to review the evidence on the pathophysiology of di-abetes-induced sarcopenia, its relevance in terms of glucose control and diabetes-related outcomes, and diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The review comprehensively addresses key elements for the clinical definition and diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia, the pathophysiological correlation be-tween T2D, sarcopenia, and related outcomes, a critical review of the role of antihyperglycemic treatment on skeletal muscle health, and perspectives on the role of specific treatment targeting myokine signaling pathways involved in glucose control and the regulation of skeletal muscle metabolism and trophism. Prompt diagnosis and adequate management, including lifestyle inter-vention, health diet programs, micronutrient supplementation, physical exercise, and pharmaco-logical treatment, are needed to prevent or delay skeletal muscle deterioration in T2D.

Relationship between the magnitude of body mass index reductions and remission in patients with type 2 diabetes in real world settings: Analysis of nationwide patient registry in Japan (JDDM74)

AIMS

To determine the association between the magnitude of weight loss and incidence of remission according to baseline characteristics in patients with diabetes in clinical settings.

METHODS

In total, 39 676 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥18 years with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5% and/or glucose-lowering drug prescription were identified from databases of specialists' clinics from 1989 and followed until September 2022. Remission was diagnosed as maintaining HbA1c <6.5% at least 3 months after cessation of a glucose-lowering drug. Factors associated with remission were evaluated by logistic regression analysis according to weight change in 1 year (i.e. ≥10%, 7.0-9.9%, 3.0-6.9% reduction, <3% change and ≥3.0% increase).

RESULTS

During the study period, 3454 remissions occurred. The rates of remission were higher in the group with the greatest reduction of body mass index (BMI) in any category examined (i.e. baseline BMI, HbA1c, duration of diabetes and treatment). The incidences of remission per 1000 person-years were about 25 and 50, respectively, for those with BMI ≥22.5 and reductions in BMI of 7.0-9.9% and ≥10% in 1 year. Remissions per 1000 person-years were 99.2 and 91.8, respectively, for those with baseline HbA1c of 6.5-6.9 and a 10% BMI reduction and those not taking glucose-lowering drugs accompanied by a 10% BMI reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

Modest weight losses of 3.0-7.9% were significantly associated with remission, but a minimum of 10% weight loss would be required in addition to an early diagnosis to achieve a 10% remission rate in clinical settings. Our results implied that remission may be expected with a relatively lower BMI in an Asian population compared with that was reported in Western populations if accompanied by weight loss.

Incidence and predictors of remission and relapse of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Japan: Analysis of a nationwide patient registry

AIMS

To determine the incidence of remission and 1-year relapse from remission and associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 48 320 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥18 years, with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels ≥48 mmol/mol (6.5%) and/or glucose-lowering drug prescription, were identified from databases of specialist clinics from 1989 and followed until September 2022. Remission was defined as HbA1c <48 mmol/mol at least 3 months after cessation of a glucose-lowering drug. Relapse was defined as failure to maintain remission for 1 year. Factors associated with remission and relapse were evaluated by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of remissions per 1000 person-years was 10.5, and for those with HbA1c levels of 48 to 53 mmol/mol (6.5% to 6.9%), those taking no glucose-lowering drugs at baseline, and those with a ≥10% body mass index (BMI) reduction in 1 year, it was 27.8, 21.7 and 48.2, respectively. Shorter duration, lower baseline HbA1c, higher baseline BMI, higher BMI reduction at 1 year, and no glucose-lowering drugs at baseline were significantly associated with remission. Among 3677 persons with remission, approximately two-thirds (2490) relapsed within 1 year. Longer duration, lower BMI at baseline, and lower BMI reduction at 1 year were significantly associated with relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that the incidence of remission and predictors of relapse, especially baseline BMI, might differ greatly between East Asian and Western populations. Furthermore, the relationships of BMI reduction with remission and relapse may be greater in East Asian than in Western populations, implying ethnic differences in returning from overt hyperglycaemia to nearly normal glucose levels.

Newly discovered knowledge pertaining to glucagon and its clinical applications

Glucagon has been defined as an 'insulin counteracting hormone', which raises blood glucose levels. Recent progress in basic research has shown that glucagon is closely involved in glucose and amino acid metabolism. Additionally, its secretion is intricately, but precisely, regulated by various mechanisms involving molecules in addition to glucose, thus showing its critical role in systemic nutrient metabolism. An innovative dual-antibody-linked immunosorbent assay for glucagon that improves measurement accuracy has been developed, and substantial clinical findings have been obtained using this new system. This discovery expanded the pathophysiological significance of glucagon and accelerated the development of its clinical applications in diabetes.

Tirzepatide: A Systematic Update

Tirzepatide is a new molecule capable of controlling glucose blood levels by combining the dual agonism of Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. GIP and GLP1 are incretin hormones: they are released in the intestine in response to nutrient intake and stimulate pancreatic beta cell activity secreting insulin. GIP and GLP1 also have other metabolic functions. GLP1, in particular, reduces food intake and delays gastric emptying. Moreover, Tirzepatide has been shown to improve blood pressure and to reduce Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. Tirzepatide efficacy and safety were assessed in a phase III SURPASS 1-5 clinical trial program. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved Tirzepatide subcutaneous injections as monotherapy or combination therapy, with diet and physical exercise, to achieve better glycemic blood levels in patients with diabetes. Other clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate its use in other diseases. The scientific interest toward this novel, first-in-class medication is rapidly increasing. In this comprehensive and systematic review, we summarize the main results of the clinical trials investigating Tirzepatide and the currently available meta-analyses, emphasizing novel insights into its adoption in clinical practice for diabetes and its future potential applications in cardiovascular medicine.