Basal insulin peglispro increases lipid oxidation, metabolic flexibility, thermogenesis and ketone bodies compared to insulin glargine in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

When treated with basal insulin peglispro (BIL), patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) exhibit weight loss and lower prandial insulin requirements versus insulin glargine (GL), while total insulin requirements remain similar. One possible explanation is enhanced lipid oxidation and improved ability to switch between glucose and lipid metabolism with BIL. This study compared the effects of BIL and GL on glucose and lipid metabolism in subjects with T1DM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen subjects with T1DM were enrolled into this open-label, randomised, crossover study, and received once-daily stable, individualised, subcutaneous doses of BIL and GL for 4 weeks each. Respiratory quotient (RQ) was measured using whole-room calorimetry, and energy expenditure (EE) and concentrations of ketone bodies (3-hydroxybutyrate) and acylcarnitines were assessed.

RESULTS

Mean sleep RQ was lower during the BIL (0.822) than the GL (0.846) treatment period, indicating greater lipid metabolism during the post-absorptive period with BIL. Increases in carbohydrate oxidation following breakfast were greater during BIL than GL treatment (mean change in RQ following breakfast 0.111 for BIL, 0.063 for GL). Furthermore, BIL treatment increased total daily EE versus GL (2215.9 kcal/d for BIL, 2135.5 kcal/d for GL). Concentrations of ketone bodies and acylcarnitines appeared to be higher following BIL than GL treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

BIL increased sleeping fat oxidation, EE, ketone bodies, acylcarnitines and post-prandial glucose metabolism when switching from conventional insulin, thus, restoring metabolic flexibility and increasing thermogenesis. These changes may explain the previously observed weight loss with BIL versus GL.

LY2963016 Insulin Glargine and Insulin Glargine (Lantus) Produce Comparable Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics at Two Dose Levels

LY2963016 (LY IGlar) and Lantus (IGlar) are insulin glargine products with identical amino acid sequences. This was a phase 1 single-site, randomized, subject- and investigator-blinded, 4-treatment, 4-period crossover study to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of LY IGlar and IGlar at 2 different doses. Fasted healthy subjects were randomly assigned to receive 2 single doses of LY IGlar and IGlar (0.3 and 0.6 U/kg for each product). Blood samples were collected up to 24 hours postdose to assess PK, and a euglycemic clamp lasting up to 24 hours postdose was conducted to assess PD. Twenty-four healthy subjects aged 23 to 52 years participated in the study. The primary PK parameters (area under the concentration versus time curve from 0 to 24 hours [AUC_0-24 ] and maximum observed drug concentration [C_max ]) and PD parameters (total amount of glucose infused during the clamp [G_tot ] and maximum glucose infusion rate [R_max ]) were not statistically different between LY IGlar and IGlar at either dose. No safety concerns were noted with either drug. The study demonstrated that the PK and PD parameters for LY IGlar and IGlar were comparable following single doses at both 0.3 and 0.6 U/kg.

Quantification of Basal Insulin Peglispro and Human Insulin in Adipose Tissue Interstitial Fluid by Open-Flow Microperfusion

BACKGROUND

Restoration of the physiologic hepatic-to-peripheral insulin gradient may be achieved by either portal vein administration or altering insulin structure to increase hepatic specificity or restrict peripheral access. Basal insulin peglispro (BIL) is a novel, PEGylated basal insulin with a flat pharmacokinetic and glucodynamic profile and altered hepatic-to-peripheral action gradient. We hypothesized reduced BIL exposure in peripheral tissues explains the latter, and in this study assessed the adipose tissue interstitial fluid (ISF) concentrations of BIL compared with human insulin (HI).

METHODS

A euglycemic glucose clamp was performed in patients with type 1 diabetes during continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of BIL or HI, while the adipose ISF insulin concentrations were determined using open-flow microperfusion (OFM). The ratio of adipose ISF-to-serum concentrations and the absolute steady-state adipose ISF concentrations were assessed using a dynamic no-net-flux technique with subsequent regression analysis.

RESULTS

Steady-state BIL concentrations in adipose tissue ISF were achieved by ∼16 h after IV infusion. Median time to reach steady-state glucose infusion rate across doses ranged between 8 and 22 h. The average serum concentrations (coefficient of variation %) of BIL and HI were 11,200 pmol/L (23%) and 425 pmol/L (15%), respectively. The ISF-to-serum concentration ratios were 10.2% for BIL and 22.9% for HI.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates feasibility of OFM to measure BIL in ISF. The observed low ISF-to-serum concentration ratio of BIL is consistent with its previously demonstrated reduced peripheral action.

Duration of action of two insulin glargine products, LY2963016 insulin glargine and Lantus insulin glargine, in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

LY2963016 (LY IGlar) and Lantus (IGlar) are insulin glargine products manufactured by distinct processes, but with identical amino acid sequences. This study compared the duration of action of LY IGlar and IGlar in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a randomized, double-blind, single-dose, two-period, crossover study. Twenty subjects underwent 42-hour euglycaemic clamps after a single subcutaneous 0.3-U/kg dose of LY IGlar or IGlar. In this study, the duration of action was defined as the time required for blood glucose levels to rise consistently above a predefined cut-off of 8.3 mmol/L (150 mg/dL) from a state of euglycaemia. Blood samples were collected to measure blood glucose for pharmacodynamic (PD) evaluations.

RESULTS

End of action was reached within 42 hours in 26 of 40 clamps (13 LY IGlar and 13 IGlar). The median duration of action for all subjects was 37.1 and 40.0 hours, and the mean duration of action (calculated using only patients who reached end of action) was 23.8 and 25.5 hours for LY IGlar and IGlar, respectively. The duration of action was demonstrated to be similar between the treatments using time-to-event analysis (log-rank test of equality p = .859). Following administration of LY IGlar and IGlar, the PD parameters of maximum glucose infusion rate (R _max ) and total glucose infusion during the clamp (G _tot ) were comparable.

CONCLUSION

LY IGlar and IGlar had similar duration of action and comparable PD parameters in subjects with T1DM.

Reduced peripheral activity leading to hepato-preferential action of basal insulin peglispro compared with insulin glargine in patients with type 1 diabetes

AIMS

Basal insulin peglispro (BIL), a novel PEGylated basal insulin with a large hydrodynamic size, has a delayed absorption and reduced clearance that prolongs the duration of action. The current study compared the effects of BIL and insulin glargine (GL) on endogenous glucose production (EGP), glucose disposal rate (GDR) and lipolysis in patients with type 1 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a randomized, open-label, four-period, crossover study. Patients received intravenous infusions of BIL and GL, each at two dose levels selected for partial and maximal suppression of EGP, during an 8 to 10 h euglycemic clamp procedure with d-[3-³ H] glucose.

RESULTS

Following correction for equivalent human insulin concentrations (EHIC), low-dose GL infusion resulted in similar EGP at the end of the clamp compared to low-dose BIL infusion (GL/BIL ratio of 1.03) but a higher GDR (GL/BIL ratio of 2.42), indicating similar hepatic activity but attenuated peripheral activity of BIL. Consistent with this, the EHIC-corrected GDR/EGP at the end of the clamp was 1.72-fold greater for GL than BIL following low-dose administration. At the lower dose of BIL and GL (concentrations in the therapeutic range), BIL produced less suppression of lipolysis compared with GL as indicated by free fatty acid and glycerol levels at the end of the clamp.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with GL, BIL restored the hepato-peripheral insulin action gradient seen in normal physiology via its peripherally restricted action on target tissues related to carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

Pharmacokinetics of the Long-Acting Basal Insulin LY2605541 in Subjects With Varying Degrees of Renal Function

The pharmacokinetics of LY2605541 (basal insulin peglispro), a novel long-acting basal insulin analogue, was evaluated in 5 groups of subjects with varying degrees of renal function based on creatinine clearance: normal renal function (>80 mL/min), mild renal impairment (51-80 mL/min), moderate renal impairment (30-50 mL/min), severe renal impairment (<30 mL/min), or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring hemodialysis. Serial blood samples for pharmacokinetic analyses were collected up to 12 days following a single 0.33 U/kg subcutaneous dose of LY2605541. The apparent clearance (CL/F) and half-life across groups were not affected by renal function. Cmax values were lower in subjects with increasing severity of renal impairment; however, the small decrease in Cmax did not affect the overall exposure. Regression analysis showed that LY2605541 clearance is independent of renal function (slope = 0.000863; P = .885). The mean fraction of LY2605541 eliminated by a single hemodialysis session was 13% in subjects with ESRD. LY2605541 was generally well tolerated in healthy subjects and those with renal impairment following a single 0.33 U/kg subcutaneous dose. Given these data, no dose adjustment of LY2605541 based on pharmacokinetics is recommended in renal impairment or in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Comparison of the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of LY2963016 Insulin Glargine and EU- and US-Approved Versions of Lantus Insulin Glargine in Healthy Subjects: Three Randomized Euglycemic Clamp Studies

OBJECTIVE

LY2963016 (LY IGlar) and Lantus (IGlar) are insulin glargine products manufactured by distinct processes but with identical amino acid sequences. Three studies evaluated the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) similarity of LY IGlar and the European Union- and US-approved versions of IGlar.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

These were three single-site, randomized, double-blind, two-treatment, four-period, crossover, euglycemic clamp studies. In each study, fasted healthy subjects received 0.5 units/kg s.c. doses of two different insulin glargine products on two occasions each, following a randomized sequence. A ≥7-day washout period separated the doses. Blood samples were collected predose and up to 24 h postdose to assess PK; PD was assessed by a euglycemic clamp lasting up to 24 h.

RESULTS

A total of 211 subjects participated in the three studies. The PK (area under the curve [AUC]; maximum observed concentration [Cmax]) and PD (maximum glucose infusion rate [Rmax]; total glucose infusion during the clamp [Gtot]) were similar between LY IGlar and IGlar, with the ratios of geometric means ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 for PK parameters and from 0.91 to 0.99 for PD parameters across studies. In all cases, the 90% CIs for the ratios of geometric means were completely contained in the prespecified acceptance limits of 0.80-1.25. Adverse events were similar between treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrated that the PK and PD properties of LY IGlar and IGlar were similar after single 0.5 units/kg s.c. doses in healthy subjects, contributing to the totality of evidence supporting similarity of these products.

Basal insulin peglispro demonstrates preferential hepatic versus peripheral action relative to insulin glargine in healthy subjects

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the endogenous glucose production (EGP) and glucose disposal rate (GDR) over a range of doses of basal insulin peglispro (BIL) and insulin glargine in healthy subjects.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a single-center, randomized, open-label, four-period, incomplete-block, crossover study conducted in eight healthy male subjects. Subjects had 8-h euglycemic clamps performed with primed, continuous infusions of BIL (5.1 to 74.1 mU/min) in three dosing periods and insulin glargine (20 or 30 mU/m(2)/min) in a fourth period, targeted to achieve 50-100% suppression of EGP. D-[3-(3)H] glucose was infused to assess rates of glucose appearance and disappearance.

RESULTS

Mean BIL and insulin glargine concentrations (targeted to reflect the differences in intrinsic affinities of the two basal insulins) ranged from 824 to 11,400 and 212 to 290 pmol/L, respectively, and increased accordingly with increases in dose. Suppression of EGP and stimulation of GDR were observed with increasing concentrations of both insulins. At insulin concentrations where EGP was significantly suppressed, insulin glargine resulted in increased GDR. In contrast, at comparable suppression of EGP, BIL had minimal effect on GDR at lower doses and had substantially less effect on GDR than insulin glargine at higher doses.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel basal insulin analog BIL has relative hepatopreferential action and decreased peripheral action, compared with insulin glargine, in healthy subjects.