The effects of empagliflozin, dietary energy restriction, or both on appetite-regulatory gut peptides in individuals with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity: The SEESAW randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

AIM

To assess the impact of the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor empagliflozin (25 mg once-daily), dietary energy restriction, or both combined, on circulating appetite-regulatory peptides in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and overweight or obesity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 68 adults (aged 30-75 years) with T2D (drug naïve or on metformin monotherapy; HbA1c 6.0%-10.0% [42-86 mmol/mol]) and body mass index of 25 kg/m² or higher were randomized to (a) placebo only, (b) placebo plus diet, (c) empagliflozin only or (d) empagliflozin plus diet for 24 weeks. Dietary energy restriction matched the estimated energy deficit elicited by SGLT2 inhibitor therapy through urinary glucose excretion (~360 kcal/day). The primary outcome was change in postprandial circulating total peptide-YY (PYY) during a 3-hour mixed-meal tolerance test from baseline to 24 weeks. Postprandial total glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), acylated ghrelin and subjective appetite perceptions formed secondary outcomes, along with other key components of energy balance.

RESULTS

The mean weight loss in each group at 24 weeks was 0.44, 1.91, 2.22 and 5.74 kg, respectively. The change from baseline to 24 weeks in postprandial total PYY was similar between experimental groups and placebo only (mean difference [95% CI]: -8.6 [-28.6 to 11.4], 13.4 [-6.1 to 33.0] and 1.0 [-18.0 to 19.9] pg/ml in placebo-plus diet, empagliflozin-only and empagliflozin-plus-diet groups, respectively [all P ≥ .18]). Similarly, there was no consistent pattern of difference between groups for postprandial total GLP-1, acylated ghrelin and subjective appetite perceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

In people with T2D and overweight or obesity, changes in postprandial appetite-regulatory gut peptides may not underpin the less than predicted weight loss observed with empagliflozin therapy.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

NCT02798744, www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; 2015-001594-40, www.EudraCT.ema.europa.eu; ISRCTN82062639, www.ISRCTN.org.

Effects of liraglutide versus sitagliptin on circulating cardiovascular biomarkers, including circulating progenitor cells, in individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity: Analyses from the LYDIA trial

The mechanisms behind the beneficial cardiovascular effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is) remain largely unknown, despite both targeting the incretin pathway to improve glycaemic control. In these prespecified secondary analyses of the LYDIA trial, we examined the impact of the GLP-1RA liraglutide (1.8 mg once-daily) and the DPP4i sitagliptin (100 mg once-daily) on circulating cardiovascular biomarkers associated with atherosclerotic risk, including circulating progenitor cells (CPCs). LYDIA was a 26-week, randomized, active-comparator trial in 61 adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity (mean ± SD: age 43.8 ± 6.5 years, body mass index 35.3 ± 6.4 kg/m² , HbA1c 7.5% ± 0.83% [58.5 ± 9.1 mmol/mol]). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor-1-alpha (SDF-1ɑ), both of which are implicated in endothelial function, were higher at 26 weeks with liraglutide therapy compared with sitagliptin (mean between-group difference [95% CI]: 77.03 [18.29, 135.77] pg/mL, p = .010; and 996.25 [818.85, 1173.64] pg/mL, p < .001, respectively). There were no between-group differences in CPCs, nitric oxide, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha and advanced glycation end-products. These analyses suggest a favourable impact of liraglutide on VEGF and SDF-1ɑ levels compared with sitagliptin. These factors may therefore be implicated in the differential cardiovascular effects observed between these agents in large cardiovascular outcome trials. However, these are secondary analyses from a previous trial and thus hypothesis-generating. Purposive trials are required to examine these findings further.

The long goodbye on a disappearing, ancestral island: a just retreat from Isle de Jean Charles

Climate change will necessitate evermore frequent and complex managed retreats in the future, and drafting policies that are equitable and just for those residents who are relocating will be essential. The USA's first federally funded, community-scale, climate-driven resettlement is currently underway in coastal Louisiana. In January 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the state of Louisiana $48.3 million to plan, design, and implement a structured, just, and scalable resettlement with former and current Isle de Jean Charles residents. Most Island households are multi-generational and directly descended from Jean Marie Naquin, after whose father the Island is named. Using interviews, ethnographic data, and policy documents, this paper will delineate and analyze the dimensions of sense of place, which, in this case, prompted policy changes dramatically different from standard relocation policies: assurance that the properties and land from which residents are departing will remain in their possession as long as the land remains. For most Island residents, this was non-negotiable. The intangible connection to place-feelings of belonging, lifestyle, family connections, and culture-plays a central role in many families' decision to stay or go. The choice to relocate is rooted in this complex entanglement of identity, familial ties, land loss, historical and current marginalization, and a way of life passed on by multiple generations. In forthcoming community resettlements, continued access and ownership of the properties being left behind should be considered as a critical component for planning just retreats.

Improvements in Glycemic Control After Acute Moderate-Intensity Continuous or High-Intensity Interval Exercise Are Greater in South Asians Than White Europeans With Nondiabetic Hyperglycemia: A Randomized Crossover Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether circulating metabolic responses to low-volume high-intensity interval exercise (LV-HIIE) or continuous moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (CME) differ between white Europeans and South Asians with nondiabetic hyperglycemia (NDH).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Thirteen white Europeans and 10 South Asians (combined median [interquartile range] age 67 [60-68] years, HbA_1c 5.9% [5.8-6.1%] [41.0 (39.9-43.2) mmol ⋅ mol^-1]) completed three 6-h conditions (sedentary control [CON], LV-HIIE, and CME) in a randomized order. Exercise conditions contained a single bout of LV-HIIE and CME, respectively (each ending at 2 h), with meals provided at 0 and 3 h. Circulating glucose (primary outcome), insulin, insulin resistance index (IRI), triglycerides, and nonesterified fatty acids were measured at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, and 6 h. Data were analyzed as postexercise time-averaged area under the curve (AUC) adjusted for age, sex, and preexercise AUC.

RESULTS

Glucose was similar in each condition and with ethnicity, with no condition-by-ethnicity interaction (P ≥ 0.28). However, insulin was lower in LV-HIIE (mean [95% CI] -44.4 [-23.7, -65.1] mU ⋅ L^-1) and CME (-33.8 [-13.7, -53.9] mU ⋅ L^-1) compared with CON. Insulin responses were greater in South Asians (interaction P = 0.03) such that values were similar in each ethnicity during exercise conditions, despite being 33% higher in South Asians during CON. IRI followed a similar pattern to insulin. Lipids were unaffected by exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Reductions in insulin and insulin resistance after acute LV-HIIE and CME are greater in South Asians than in white Europeans with NDH. Further trials are required to examine the longer-term impact of LV-HIIE and CME on cardiometabolic health.

A randomized, open-label, active comparator trial assessing the effects of 26 weeks of liraglutide or sitagliptin on cardiovascular function in young obese adults with type 2 diabetes

AIM

To compare the effects of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist and a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor on magnetic resonance imaging-derived measures of cardiovascular function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint trial liraglutide (1.8 mg) and sitagliptin (100 mg) were compared in asymptomatic, non-insulin treated young (aged 18-50 years) adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The primary outcome was difference in circumferential peak early diastolic strain rate change (PEDSR), a biomarker of cardiac diastolic dysfunction 26 weeks after randomization. Secondary outcomes included other indices of cardiac structure and function, HbA1c and body weight.

RESULTS

Seventy-six participants were randomized (54% female, mean ± SD age 44 ± 6 years, diabetes duration 4.4 years, body mass index 35.3 ± 6.1 kg m^-2 ), of whom 65% had ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor. Sixty-one participants had primary outcome data available. There were no statistically significant between-group differences (intention-to-treat; mean [95% confidence interval]) in PEDSR change (-0.01 [-0.07, +0.06] s^-1 ), left ventricular ejection fraction (-1.98 [-4.90, +0.94]%), left ventricular mass (+1.14 [-5.23, +7.50] g) or aortic distensibility (-0.35 [-0.98, +0.28] mmHg^-1  × 10^-3 ) after 26 weeks. Reductions in HbA1c (-4.57 [-9.10, -0.37] mmol mol^-1 ) and body weight (-3.88 [-5.74, -2.01] kg) were greater with liraglutide.

CONCLUSION

There were no differences in cardiovascular structure or function after short-term use of liraglutide and sitagliptin in younger adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Longer studies in patients with more severe cardiac dysfunction may be necessary before definitive conclusions can be made about putative pleiotropic properties of incretin-based therapies.

Moderate increases in daily step count are associated with reduced IL6 and CRP in women with PCOS

Aims Physical activity has been proposed to be an effective non-pharmacological method of reducing systemic inflammation and therefore may prove particularly efficacious for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who have been shown to have high levels of inflammation and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess whether modest changes in daily step count could significantly reduce levels of inflammatory markers in women with PCOS. Subjects and Methods Sixty-five women with PCOS were assessed at baseline and again at 6 months. All had been provided with an accelerometer and encouraged to increase activity levels. Multivariate linear regression analyses (adjusted for age, ethnicity, baseline step count, change in BMI and change in accelerometer wear-time) were used to assess changes in daily step count against clinical and research biomarkers of inflammation, CVD and T2DM. Results Mean step count/day at baseline was 6337 (±270). An increase in step count (by 1000 steps) was associated with a 13% reduction in IL6 (β: -0.81 ng/L; 95% CI, -1.37, -0.25, P = 0.005) and a 13% reduction in CRP (β: -0.68 mg/L; 95% CI, -1.30, -0.06, P = 0.033). Additionally, there was a modest decrease in BMI (β: 0.20 kg/m2; 95% CI, -0.38, -0.01, P = 0.038). Clinical markers of T2DM and CVD were not affected by increased step count. Conclusions Modest increases in step count/day can reduce levels of inflammatory markers in women with PCOS, which may reduce the future risk of T2DM and CVD.

Biomarkers assessing warm ischemic injury using an isolated porcine kidney hemoreperfusion model

Prolonged warm ischemia (WI) occurring in marginal kidney donors together with reperfusion injury determines allograft survival, in which apoptosis and inflammation play crucial roles. There is no single valid biomarker, so far, to assess the degree of kidney donor injury. To define new biomarkers for detecting initial donor ischemic injury, caspase-3, caspase-7, apoptosis, inflammation, HSP70 and renal histological changes were examined in porcine kidneys subjected to 7- 15- 25- or 40-min WI, two-hour cold storage and six-hour hemoreperfusion. Caspase-3 activity was gradually increased by prolonged reperfusion, with a decrease trend against WI time. This result was verified by raised 17 kDa active caspase-3 in postreperfusion kidneys, with elevated 12 kDa active caspase-3 and lowered precursor at seven-minute WI. Active caspase-7 was also doubled by reperfusion with decreased precursor at seven-minute WI, but declined against prolonged WI. Apoptotic cells in tubular and interstitial areas were greatly increased by reperfusion at seven-minute WI, but decreased against prolonged WI. In addition, myeloperoxidase (MPO)+ cells were dramatically increased by reperfusion and presented as a bell-shape against WI time, while HSP70 was significantly increased at 7-min WI, but decreased at 40-min WI after reperfusion. In postreperfusion kidneys, tubular dilation and cell shedding were observed at 7- and 15-min WI, while tubular vacuolation and cell debris were found in tubular lumens at longer WI times. At 40-min WI, early nuclear pyknosis, tubular epithelia detachment and peri-tubular capillary dilation were detected. Furthermore, caspase-3, caspase-7, apoptosis, but not MPO+ cells or HSP70, were correlated with renal function. In conclusion, caspase-3, caspase-7 and apoptosis appear to be better biomarkers than MPO+ cells or HSP70 for assessing warm ischemic injury in donor kidneys. Hemoreperfusion activates caspase-3 and caspase-7, promotes apoptosis of damaged cells in kidneys only with limited WI, which might be beneficial to renal structural re-modeling and functional recovery.

Atorvastatin improving renal ischemia reperfusion injury via direct inhibition of active caspase-3 in rats

Caspase-3 is a key molecule involved in the inflammation and apoptosis of ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. Statins are known to inhibit IR injury, but the mechanism of action remains uncertain. In the present study, the effect and underlying mechanism of ischemia alone, and reperfusion with or without atorvastatin (AT) as a timed intervention were examined, since clinically the kidney is only exposed to drug delivery during reperfusion. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to 45‐min clamping of the left renal hilus followed by four hours reperfusion with a right nephrectomy. AT 10 mg/kg was intravenously administered after clamping the renal hilus, but prior to kidney reperfusion. Ischemia alone did cause tubulointerstitial damage (TID), protein carbonylation and caspase-3 activation with an increase in 12 kDa subunit, while reperfusion further enhanced TID, monocyte (ED-1+ cell) infiltration, apoptosis and necrosis together with caspase-3 activity and 17 kDa subunit, but reversed protein carbonylation. AT significantly reduced TID (26%), ED-1+ cell infiltration (74%), tubular apoptosis (47%) and necrosis (73%), and interstitial apoptosis (64%), as well as caspase-3 activity (26%), but did not change serum creatinine and cholesterol. Importantly, without affecting either caspase-3 active protein cleavage or S-nitrosylation, AT directly inhibited caspase-3 active enzyme in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. In conclusions, IR and AT exerted opposing effects on caspase-3 activity by differing mechanisms, with IR stimulating caspase-3 proteolytic cleavage and AT inhibiting active caspase-3 enzyme. This new inhibitory mechanism of AT may improve reperfusion tolerance in ischemic kidneys and benefit transplant recipients.

Experimental renal preservation by normothermic resuscitation perfusion with autologous blood

BACKGROUND

Normothermic perfusion (NP) has the potential to improve metabolic support and maintain the viability of ischaemically damaged organs. This study investigated the effects of NP compared with current methods of organ preservation in a model of controlled non-heart-beating donor (NHBD) kidneys.

METHODS

Porcine kidneys (n = 6 in each group) were subjected to 10 min warm ischaemia and then preserved as follows: 2 h cold storage (CS) in ice (CS2 group), 18 h CS (CS18 group), 18 h cold machine perfusion (CP group) or 16 h CS + 2 h NP (NP group). Renal haemodynamics and function were measured during 3 h reperfusion with autologous blood using an isolated organ perfusion system.

RESULTS

Increasing CS from 2 to 18 h reduced renal blood flow (mean(s.d.) area under the curve (AUC) 444(57) versus 325(70) ml per 100 g; P = 0.004), but this was restored by NP (563(119) ml per 100 g; P = 0.035 versus CS18). Renal function was also better in CS2, CP and NP groups than in the CS18 group (mean(s.d.) serum creatinine fall 92(6), 79(9) and 64(17) versus 44(13) per cent respectively; P = 0.001). The AUC for serum creatinine was significantly lower with CS for 2 h than for 18 h (mean(s.d.) 1102(2600) versus 2156(401) micromol/l.h; P = 0.001), although values in CP and NP groups were not significantly different from those in the CS2 group (1354(300) and 1756(280) micromol/l.h respectively). Two hours of NP increased the adenosine 3'-triphosphate : adenosine 3'-diphosphate ratio to a significantly higher level than the preperfusion values in all other groups (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

NP with oxygenated blood was able to restore depleted ATP levels and reverse some of the deleterious effects of CS.

Differential expression of cytoprotective and apoptotic genes in an ischaemia-reperfusion isolated organ perfusion model of the transplanted kidney

The optimal kidney preservation system and methods to ameliorate reperfusion injury are major factors in accomplishing successful graft function following transplantation. Ischaemia and reperfusion lead to cellular stress and the adaptive response may include the activation of genes involved in cellular protection and/or cell death by apoptosis. We investigated the expression of cytoprotective heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and pro-apoptotic Bax after 6 h isolated organ perfusion in porcine kidneys that had been given 10 and 40 min warm ischaemic time. The level of HO-1 was shown to be significantly higher in the 10-min warm ischaemic group compared with 40-min group (0.90 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.83 +/- 0.03; P = 0.002). The levels of HO-1 showed a significant positive correlated with parameters of renal function, creatinine clearance, and renal blood flow and urine output (AUC; r = 0.8042, P = 0.03; r = 0.6028, P = 0.04; r = 0.6055, P = 0.04), demonstrating a possible protective role of this gene in this model of renal transplantation.

Static normothermic preservation of renal allografts using a novel nonphosphate buffered preservation solution

The aim of this study was to assess the viability and function of renal allografts under normothermic conditions using a novel nonphosphate buffered preservation solution AQIXRS-I. Porcine kidneys were flushed at 30 degrees C with AQIXRS-I at 100 mmHg pressure after 5-10 min warm ischaemic time and stored statically at either 4 degrees C or 30 degrees C for 2 h (n = 6 per group). Assessment of renal function by physiological and biochemical parameters was performed by perfusing the organs with autologous blood at 37 degrees C, with an initial circulating serum creatinine concentration of 1000 mumol/l on an isolated organ perfusion system for 6 h. Although the hypothermic group demonstrated overall superior renal function, the normothermic stored kidneys displayed a statistically comparable acid-base balance (7.37 +/- 0.15 vs. 7.3 +/- 0.09, P = 0.24). Furthermore, renal function was still evident after 6 h perfusion with increasing oxygen consumption, renal blood flow and reduced renal vascular resistance. The effectiveness and versatility of AQIXRS-I as a preservation solution under both normothermic and hypothermic conditions has been demonstrated. Renal viability was maintained after 2 h static normothermic storage. This study provides a foundation for further analysis utilizing normothermic preservation.

Biomarkers of oxidative damage to predict ischaemia-reperfusion injury in an isolated organ perfusion model of the transplanted kidney

Ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is known to be a risk factor influencing both short and long-term graft function following transplantation. The pathophysiology of IR injury is suggested to involve elevated reactive oxygen species production resulting in oxidative damaged cellular macromolecules. The objective of this study was to evaluate oxidative damage following IR using an isolated organ perfusion model of the transplanted kidney, in order to determine a simple, preferably non-invasive biomarker for IR injury. Porcine kidneys were retrieved with 10 or 40 min warm ischaemic (WI) time and haemoperfused for 6 h on an isolated organ perfusion machine. ELISA was used to detect carbonyls, 8-isporostane and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, representing protein, lipid and DNA damage respectively in pre and post reperfusion samples of plasma, urine and biopsy material. Plasma carbonyl and 8-isporostane and were significantly increased in the 40 min group compared to pre-perfusion (0.96 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.62 +/- 0.06, P < 0.001 and 1.57(1.28-4.9) vs. 0.36(0.09-0.59), P < 0.05). The levels also correlated with creatinine clearance used to determine renal function (r = - 0.6150, P < 0.01 and r = - 0.7727, P < 0.01). The results of this study suggest both plasma carbonyl and 8-isporostane to be reliable biomarkers to predict the level IR injury.

Validation of a novel ELISA for measurement of MDA-LDL in human plasma

The involvement of oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein (LDL) in the development of CHD is widely described. We have produced two antibodies, recognizing the lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) on whole LDL or ApoB-100. The antibodies were utilized in the development of an ELISA for quantitation of MDA-LDL in human plasma. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (% CV) were measured as 4.8 and 7.7%, respectively, and sensitivity of the assay as 0.04 micro g/ml MDA-LDL. Recovery of standard MDA-LDL from native LDL was 102%, indicating the ELISA to be specific with no interference from other biomolecules. Further validation of the ELISA was carried out against two established methods for measurement of lipid peroxidation products, MDA by HPLC and F(2)-isoprostanes by GC-MS. Results indicated that MDA-LDL is formed at a later stage of oxidation than either MDA or F(2)-isoprostanes. In vivo analysis demonstrated that the ELISA was able to determine steady-state concentrations of plasma MDA-LDL (an end marker of lipid peroxidation). A reference range of 34.3 +/- 8.8 micro g/ml MDA-LDL was established for healthy individuals. Further, the ELISA was used to show significantly increased plasma MDA-LDL levels in subjects with confirmed ischemic heart disease, and could therefore possibly be of benefit as a diagnostic tool for assessing CHD risk.