In a nutshell
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of long-acting exenatide on blood sugar control, body weight and the thickness of the wall of the carotid artery in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The main finding of the study was that this treatment improved all these parameters in patients with T2D.
Some background
Patients withT2D are at high risk of blood vessel disease. When plaques form in the blood vessels they can block blood flow. This is particularly dangerous if it happens in the carotid artery. The carotid artery is the main blood vessel in the neck going to the brain. Therefore, the thickness of this blood vessel wall (IMT) can be measured to detect the presence of a plaque. The thicker the wall, the bigger the plaque.
Blood vessel wall function is important in T2D as the blood vessels need to be able to dilate to increase blood flow to the important organs such as the heart and brain.
Exenatide is a drug used in the treatment of T2D. It works by increasing the amount of insulin produced by the body (the hormone that controls blood sugar). When taken twice a day, exenatide controls blood sugar and decreases body weight but does not improve the function of blood vessel walls. There is also a long-acting form (LA) of exenatide which only needs to be taken once a week. The effect of LA exenatide on vessel wall function and carotid IMT is not known.
Methods & findings
This study included 60 patients with T2D. Patients were treated with LA exenatide 2mg per week for 8 months.
Exenatide LA significantly improved fasting blood sugars, HbA1c (blood test measuring average blood sugar control over the past 3 months), body mass index and waist circumference. There was a significant decrease in cholesterol. After 8 months of LA exenatide treatment, carotid IMT improved from 0.98mm to 0.87mm. Dilation of the vessels due to blood flow improved from 5.8mm to 6.8mm.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that treatment with LA exenatide improved blood sugar control, body weight, and cholesterol along with carotid IMT and flow dilation.
The fine print
This study was funded by AstraZeneca, the developer of exenatide. Larger studies are still needed for better evidence.
Published By :
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Date :
Feb 10, 2019
