In a nutshell
This study aimed to investigate the effect of saxagliptin (Onglyza) on blood sugar levels and the rate of disease progression in type 2 diabetes.
Some background
Normally, the pancreas creates insulin (a hormone), which lowers glucose (sugar) levels. In type 1 diabetes and late type 2 diabetes, the cells of the pancreas become damaged and lose their function meaning they don't produce insulin. This is partly responsible for the body's inability to break down glucose which is observed in late type 2 diabetes. Treatment of diabetes is primarily based on glycemic control (management of blood glucose). Some drugs simply lower blood glucose levels, while others can reduce pancreatic cell loss which could possibly slow disease progression. Saxagliptin is an example of the latter.
Methods & findings
This study aimed to determine the effect of saxagliptin on glycemic control and the rate of pancreatic cell loss.
16,492 patients were split into two groups depending on treatment received – saxagliptin or a placebo (a drug with no therapeutic effect, used as a control). Some patients in the saxagliptin group were also taking other diabetes medications.Blood glucose levels and pancreatic cell mass (the amount of pancreatic cells present) were measured at the beginning of the study and 2 years later.
Patients being treated with saxagliptin had a 29% lower risk of experiencing instability of their blood sugar levels (i.e. an increase in HbA1c levels of greater than 0.5% or requiring the addition of further diabetes drugs). The pancreatic cell mass was increased by 1.1% in saxagliptin patients, compared to a reduction of 4.9% in those who received the placebo. Patients who received saxagliptin were also less likely to have to initiate insulin, increase doses of insulin or increase doses of other oral diabetes drugs.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that saxagliptin reduces the risk of high blood sugar levels and may decrease diabetes progression by reducing pancreatic cell loss.
The fine print
The main limitation of this study is that the test performed to determine pancreatic cell loss provides an estimate, rather than a definite result. Furthermore, long-term effects of saxagliptin treatment were not investigated, so the findings of this study may not be consistent in the long-term.
What’s next?
Consult your doctor if you are interested in starting saxagliptin treatment or if you are concerned about the treatment you are already receiving.
Published By :
Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Date :
Feb 05, 2015
