Transcript Metformin

Oral hypoglycemic agents in type 2
diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a disease of progressive β-cell
dysfunction in presence of insulin resistance, leading to
gradual loss of glycemic control. An initial loss of first
phase insulin response contributes to elevated postprandial
plasma glucose concentrations.

Insulin resistance is evident in skeletal muscle, liver, and
adipose tissue, the major target tissues of insulin action.
Skeletal muscle insulin resistance leads to post-prandial
hyperglycemia, while hepatic insulin resistance is a
causative factor in the subsequent development of fasting
hyperglycemia.
Sites of action of the current pharmacological therapies for the
treatment of type 2 diabetes.
sulfonylureas

Insulin secretagogues stimulate insulin secretion by
interacting with the ATP-sensitive potassium channel on
the beta cell .In general, sulfonylureas increase insulin
acutely and thus should be taken shortly before a meal;
with chronic therapy, though, the insulin release is more
sustained.
sulfonylureas

At maximum doses, first-generation sulfonylureas are
similar in potency to second-generation agents but have a
longer half-life, a greater incidence of hypoglycemia, and
more frequent drug interactions.
sulfonylureas

An advantage to a more rapid onset of action is better
coverage of the postprandial glucose rise, but the shorter
half-life of such agents requires more than once-a-day
dosing
sulfonylureas

The most responsive patients are those who exhibit mildto-moderate fasting hyperglycemia (<200-240 mg/dl; along
with adequate residualβ -cell function. These drugs are
most effective in individuals with type 2 DM of relatively
recent onset (<5 years), who have residual endogenous
insulin production.
sulfonylureas

The higher the fasting glucose level, the greater the effect
will be. In patients with a pre-treatment glucose level of
approximately 200 mg/dl, sulfonylureas typically will
reduce glucose by 60-70 mg/dl and HbA1C by 1.5-2%.
Relationship between baseline HbA1C and reduction in
HbA1C from baseline achieved following treatment with oral
antihyperglycemic medication.
sulfonylureas

Thus, expectations for the overall magnitude of effect from
a given agent might be overly optimistic when treating
patients whose baseline HbA1c is <7.5-8.0%.
sulfonylureas

Approximately 10-20% of patients will exhibit a primary
failures. While these patients are typically those who have
severe fasting hyperglycemia (>280 mg/dl; and reduced
fasting Cpeptide levels, these tests are not specific enough
to help decide on the usefulness of a sulfonylurea for an
individual patient. In addition, treatment with sulfonylureas
results in the eventual loss of therapeutic effectiveness
(secondary failure) in the range of 3-10% per year.
Adverse effects


Mild hypoglycemic events in 2-4%
severe hypoglycemia 0.2-0.4 cases per 1000 patient-years
sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas reduce both fasting and postprandial glucose
and should be initiated at low doses and increased at 1- to
2-week intervals based on SMBG.
meglitinides

The mechanism of action of meglitinides also involves the binding to
and closure of the KATP channel resulting in membrane
depolarization, an influx of calcium, and insulin exocytosis . The
kinetics of interaction of nateglinide with the KATP channel are
distinct compared to both repaglinide and sulfonylureas, and accounts
for its rapid insulinotropic effects.
meglitinides

Unlike sulfonylureas, meglitinides stimulate first-phase
insulin release in a glucose-sensitive manner, theoretically
reducing the risk of hypoglycemic events. The delivery of
insulin as an early, transient ‘burst’ at the initiation of a
meal affords several major physiological benefits
meglitinides

These include rapidly suppressing hepatic glucose
production and reducing the stimulus for additional insulin
that would be required subsequently to dispose of a larger
glucose load. Thus, the rapid onset/short duration
stimulation of insulin release by meglitinides should
enhance control of prandial hyperglycemia, while reducing
the risk for post-absorptive hypoglycemia and limiting
exposure to hyperinsulinemia.
meglitinides

Repaglinide is approximately 5 times more potent than
glyburide in stimulating insulin secretion. Unlike
glyburide, repaglinide does not stimulate insulin secretion
in vitro in the absence of glucose. Rather, it enhances
glucose-stimulated insulin secretion especially at 180mg/dl
glucose.
meglitinides

As a result of more rapid absorption, it produces a generally
faster and briefer stimulus to insulin secretion. As a result, it is
generally taken with each meal and provides better postprandial
control and generally less hypoglycemia and weight gain than
glyburide. Repaglinide does seem to have a long residence time
on the sulfonylurea receptor and a prolonged effect on fasting
glucose, even though its pharmacologic half-life is quite short.
meglitinides

The onset of action of netaglinide is similar to that of glyburide
but three-fold more rapid than that of repaglinide . When
netaglinide is removed from the KATP channel, its effect is
reversed twice as quickly as glyburide and five times more
quickly than repaglinide. Thus, netaglinide initiates a more rapid
release of insulin that is shorter in duration compared to
repaglinide ,despite having an in vivo pharmacokinetic profile
that is similar.
Thiazolidinediones

These drugs bind to the PPAR-δnuclear receptor. The
PPAR- δ receptor is found at highest levels in adipocytes
but is expressed at lower levels in many other tissues.
Agonists of this receptor regulate a large number of genes,
promote adipocyte differentiation, reduce hepatic fat
accumulation, and appear to reduce insulin resistance
indirectly by enhancing fatty acid storage and possibly by
increasing adiponectin levels
Thiazolidinediones

It does not appear that rosiglitazone and pioglitazone improve
insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal by direct effects on either
liver or muscle. PPARδ is expressed chiefly in adipose tissue, and
its expression in liver and skeletal muscle is low .Thus, it is more
likely that the primary effects of these drugs are on adipose
tissue, followed by secondary benefits on other target tissues of
insulin.
Thiazolidinediones

Thiazolidinediones promote a redistribution of fat from central to
peripheral locations. Circulating insulin levels decrease with use of the
thiazolidinediones, indicating a reduction in insulin resistance.
Thiazolidinediones

Each drug as monotherapy, results in a significant
reduction in fasting plasma glucose by 60-80 mg/dl and in
HbA1c by 1.4-2.6% . In addition, pioglitazone is approved
for use in combination with insulin, metformin, or a
sulfonylurea, and rosiglitazone is approved for use in
combination with metformin or a sulfonylurea.
Thiazolidinediones

Unlike other existing anti-diabetic medications that
possess a very rapid onset of activity, TZD exhibit a
characteristic delay from 4-12 weeks in the onset of their
therapeutic benefits.
Thiazolidinediones

Patients treated with 15, 30, or 45 mg (once daily) pioglitazone had significant
mean decreases in HbA1c (range -1.00 to -1.60%) and fasting plasma glucose (39.1 to -65.3 mg/dl). The decreases in fasting plasma glucose were observed as
early as the second week of therapy; maximal decreases occurred after 10-14
weeks .

Due to their mechanism of action, the risk of hypoglycemia
with rosiglitazone or pioglitazone monotherapy is low. Mild
to moderate hypoglycemia has been reported during
combination therapy with sulfonylureas or insulin .
Side effets








weight gain (2–3 kg)
small reduction in the hematocrit
mild increase in plasma volume.
Peripheral edema and CHF is more common in
individuals also treated with insulin.
rosiglitazone is associated with an increased risk of
myocardial infarction.
worsening of diabetic macular edema.
increased risk of fractures has been noted in
women taking these agents.
contraindications


liver disease
CHF (class III or IV).
Thiazolidinediones

Although rosiglitazone and pioglitazone do not appear to
induce the liver abnormalities, the FDA recommends
measurement of liver function tests prior to initiating
therapy with a thiazolidinedione and at regular intervals
(every 2 months for the first year and then periodically).
Thiazolidinediones

With regard to edema, with appropriate caution almost no
one should need to withdraw from therapy as a result of
fluid retention. The patients most likely to experience
edema are those treated with insulin and those with
preexisting edema. Thus, women, overweight patients, and
those with diastolic dysfunction or renal insufficiency are at
greatest risk
Thiazolidinediones

In the previously edematous patient and in patients treated
with insulin, it is prudent to initiate therapy with the lowest
available dose of glitazone. In 1 to 3 months, if the glycemic
response has been inadequate and significant edema has
not developed, consider increasing the dose of glitazone
further with continued expectant home evaluation for
edema.
Biguanides

Metformin is representative of this class of agents. It
reduces hepatic glucose production through an undefined
mechanism and improves peripheral glucose utilization
slightly .
Metformin

metformin reduces fasting plasma insulin and improve
insulin sensitivity. While it is possible that the beneficial
effect of metformin on insulin sensitivity is mediated
directly, a more likely explanation is that it is secondary to
a reduction in hyperglycemia, triglycerides, and free fatty
acids.
Efficacy

A large number of well-controlled clinical studies have
established that metformin monotherapy consistently
reduces FBS by 60-70 mg/dl and HbA1c by 1.5-2.0% .
Similar to the sulfonylurea treatment, the overall magnitude
of response to metformin is directly related to the starting
FBS concentration.
Metformin

Unlike sulfonylurea treatment, metformin monotherapy is
not associated with weight gain and even promotes a
modest weight loss.
Metformin

The initial starting dose of 500 mg once or twice a day can
be increased to 1000 mg bid
Metformin

Because of its relatively slow onset of action and
gastrointestinal symptoms with higher doses, the
dose should be escalated every 2–3 weeks based on
SMBG measurements.
Effect of metformin on fasting plasma glucose when
given as add-on therapy to glyburide.
Metformin

When added to a sulfonylurea, the effects of both agents are additive,
consistent with their different mechanisms of action. Interestingly, in patients
that no longer responded to sulfonylurea treatment (secondary failures) and
were removed from treatment, addition of metformin had minimal effects .
Thus, in these patients, sulfonylurea treatment was still eliciting an effect,
emphasizing the need to continue treatment with both agents.
Side Effects and Contraindications

The most common are GI disturbances (abdominal
discomfort, diarrhea), in 20-30% of patients. These
effects are generally transient, and can be minimized or
avoided by careful dose titration.

The incidence of lactic acidosis is rare and
occurs with a frequency of 3 cases per 100,000
patient-years.
The risk of lactic acidosis can be minimized when the
following are considered:






1.Withhold in conditions predisposing to renal
insufficiency and/or hypoxia
a. CV collapse
b. Acute MI or acute CHF
c. Severe infection
d. Use of iodinated contrast material
e. Major surgical procedures

2. Metformin should not be prescribed for patients
with:




a. Renal dysfunction [e.g. Scr >1.5 mg/dl (males), >1.4 mg/dl
(females) or abnormal CrCl
b. Liver dysfunction
c. History of alcohol abuse/binge drinking
d. Acute or chronic metabolic acidosis
Metformin

Metformin should be discontinued in patients who are
seriously ill, in patients who are NPO, and in those
receiving radiographic contrast material.
α-GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORS

They bind competitively to the oligosaccharide binding site
of the α-Glucosidase enzymes, thereby preventing
enzymatic hydrolysis. Acarbose binding affinity for the αGlucosidase enzymes is: glycoamylase > sucrase >
maltase> dextranase . Acarbose has little affinity for
isomaltase and no affinity for the β -glucosidase enzymes,
such as lactase
α-Glucosidase inhibitors

acarbose and miglitol reduce postprandial hyperglycemia
by delaying glucose absorption; they do not affect glucose
utilization or insulin secretion
Efficacy

Clinical trials conducted to date have established that the
antihyperglycemic effectiveness of acarbose is less than
50% than that of either sulfonylureas or metformin. When
used as monotherapy, acarbose primarily affects postprandial glucose levels, which is reduced by 40-50 mg/dl
after meal
Side Effects




The major side effects are GI disturbances. in 25-30%
of patients, ( flatulence, diarrhea, bloating, and
abdominal discomfort.)
These side effects can often be minimized by careful
dose titration, and sometimes diminish with time.
Asymptomatic and reversible; dose dependent
hepatotoxicity, serum ALT levels require monitoring
for patients receiving high doses (>200 mg three times
daily)
Hypoglycemia does not occur as monotherapy.
contraindications





inflammatory bowel disease
cirrhosis
elevated plasma creatinine
gastroparesis
Simultaneous treatment with resins and antacids.
α-Glucosidase inhibitors

Therapy should be initiated at a low dose (25 mg of
acarbose) with the evening meal and may be increased to a
maximal dose over weeks to months (50–100 mg acarbose
with each meal).
α-Glucosidase inhibitors

If hypoglycemia occurs while a patient is taking an αglucosidase inhibitor simultaneously with a sulfonylurea,
insulin or a meglitinide, the recommended action is oral
administration of pure glucose, dextrose or milk.
The Incretin Effect

The incretin effect, defined by a significantly greater
insulin stimulatory effect evoked after an oral glucose load
than that evoked from an intravenous glucose infusion
when plasma glucose concentrations are matched, was first
described in the 1960’s.
Incretin Mimetics






Incretin mimetics are compounds that mimic several of the physiologic
effects of GLP-1:
enhancement of glucose-dependent insulin secretion,
suppression of postprandial glucagon secretion,
slowing of gastric emptying,
reduction of food intake and body weight in human studies.
Incretin mimetics have also been shown to promote β-cell proliferation and
neogenesis in cell lines and animal models.

Furthermore, GLP-1 also has direct effects on the β-cells, as shown in studies
done in animal models and cell lines, promoting cell proliferation and
neogenesis, while preventing β -cell apoptosis .Additionally, GLP-1 can
promote transformation of non insulin-producing pancreatic cells into cells
capable of synthesizing and secreting insulin.

The characteristic β -cell dysfunction, seen in patients with type 2
diabetes ,most likely develops years before the manifestation of overt
hyperglycemia,and it has been suggested that at the time of diagnosis
of disease -cell mass and secretory function may have declined by as
much as 50%.

The pathological loss of β -cell function may be the result
of a number of factors including β -cell secretory defects,
glucotoxicity due to hyperglycemia, lipotoxicity due to
dyslipidemia, and possibly abnormalities in secretion of,
or response to, incretin hormones.

Patients with type 2 diabetes have a significant reduction of
the incretin effect, implying that these patients either have
decreased concentration of the incretin hormones, or a
resistance to their effects.

GLP-1 concentrations are reduced in patients with type 2
diabetes in response to a meal, while GIP concentrations
are either normal or increased, suggesting a resistance to
the actions of GIP thus making GLP-1 a more logical target
for therapeutic intervention.
Incretins

"Incretins" amplify glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.
Agents that either act as a GLP-1 agonist or enhance
endogenous GLP-1 activity have become available and are
under development. Exenatide, a synthetic version of a
peptide originally found in the saliva of the Gila monster
(exendin-4), is an analogue of GLP-1

Unlike native GLP-1 which has a half-life of <2 min,
differences in the exenatide amino acid sequence render it
resistant to the enzyme that degrades GLP-1 (dipeptidyl
peptidase IV,). Thus, exenatide has prolonged GLP-1-like
action by binding to GLP-1 receptors found in islets, the
gastrointestinal tract, and the brain.

The A1C reductions with exenatide are modest compared
to those with some oral agents. Exenatide is approved only
for use as adjunct or combination therapy with metformin
or sulfonylureas. Exenatide should not be used in patients
taking insulin.

The major side effects are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea;
some patients taking insulin secretagogues may require a
reduction in those agents to prevent hypoglycemia.
Because it slows gastric emptying and may influence the
absorption of other drugs, the timing of administration
should be coordinated.

Patients with type 2 diabetes exhibit reduced levels of
active GLP-1 (amino acids 7-36) along with an impaired
GLP-1 response to a glucose load, and parenteral
administration of GLP-1 has been shown to reduce fasting
and post-prandial glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Vildagliptin

A 2nd generation DPP-IV inhibitor, vildagliptin is a
selective and orally-effective inhibitor of DPP-4 .
Vildagliptin has been found to increase plasma levels of
intact (active) GLP-1, to suppress meal-stimulated
glucagon, and to improve glucose tolerance during a
standardized meal test.
sitagliptin

These agents promote insulin secretion in the absence of
hypoglycemia or weight gain, and appear to have a preferential
effect on postprandial blood glucose. The FDA has approved
the first DPP-IV inhibitor, sitagliptin, for use with diet and
exercise,metformine and TZD to improve glycemic control in
adult individuals with type 2 DM.
sitagliptin

Sitagliptin is administered at a dose of 100 mg orally once
daily. Reduced doses should be given to patients with
moderate (GFR < 30–50 mL/min, 50 mg once daily) or
severe (GFR < 30 mL/min, 25 mg once daily) renal
insufficiency. Renal function should be assessed prior to
initiation of sitagliptin therapy and periodically thereafter.
Clinical Efficacy of Pharmacological Therapies to Treat Type 2
Diabetes when Used as Monotherapy

assuming a similar degree of glycemic improvement, no
clinical advantage to one class of drugs has been
demonstrated, and any therapy that improves glycemic
control is likely beneficial .
 Emphasis should be placed on reaching lipid, blood
pressure, and glycemic targets rather than the type of
therapy needed to reach those goals .