In a nutshell
This study examined whether liraglutide (Victoza) improves the function of the insulin-producing cells in type 2 diabetes.
Some background
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. As it progresses patients increasingly lose beta cell function (the cells that produce insulin, the hormone needed to break down glucose, or sugar). As the beta cells fail, it becomes more difficult to control blood glucose levels, and more medications must be used. High glucose levels over time can also decrease beta cell function. A type 2 diabetes treatment that helps to preserve beta cell function is needed.
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. These treatments increase insulin release and slow glucose production by the body. Studies done on animals have shown that GLP-1 agonists may increase beta cell function. It is not known whether liraglutide can increase beta cell function in human type 2 diabetes patients.
Methods & findings
The current study examined whether beta cell function improved in patients treated with liraglutide. In this study, 51 patients were randomly assigned to receive either liraglutide or placebo (a substance with no effect on the body used for control) for 48 weeks. Patients underwent a glucose tolerance test (a test to measure glucose levels at multiple times following a glucose drink), and blood tests to determine insulin levels and HbA1c (average blood glucose over 3 months) every 12 weeks.
Patients receiving liraglutide showed significantly higher beta cell function at 48 weeks compared to patients in the placebo group. HbA1c levels were lower in the liraglutide group (6.2%) compared to the placebo group (6.6%). At each 12-week check, more than 50% of the patients receiving liraglutide had an HbA1c level less than 6.0%, and glucose tolerance levels that were comparable to nondiabetics.
Two weeks after treatment was stopped, however, there was no difference in beta cell function between the groups.
The bottom line
The study concluded that liraglutide was effective at increasing beta cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes. This improvement, however, does not last once treatment has stopped.
The fine print
This study was funded by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of liraglutide.
Published By :
Diabetes Care
Date :
Sep 23, 2014
