Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus and obesity

Due to the high efficiency of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists therapy in only a part of patients, the search for predictors of response to the treatment is a relevant problem.
Purpose. The purpose is to compare the efficacy of liraglutide and exenatide therapy in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to evaluate the predictors of response to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), weight and lipids reduction.
Material and methods. The study included 47 patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity who received GLP-1 receptor agonists therapy. 26 patients were treated with liraglutide, 21 patients were treated with exenatide. We measured the parameters of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, the levels of hormones involved in glucose and lipids metabolism and in appetite regulation. Blood pressure was measured. These parameters were evaluated at baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment.
Results. Patients receiving exenatide therapy showed a tendency towards more frequent HbA1c level reduction by 1% or more (60% versus 30.4%, p = 0.07). The effects of liraglutide and exenatide on weight and waist circumference were comparable. When assessing the predictors of response to the therapy, a more pronounced decrease in HbA1c level (by 1% or more) was in the patients with a higher initial HbA1c level (8.7 (8.2; 9.7) versus 8.2 (6.9; 8.7)%, p = 0.04), as well as with a higher initial GLP-1 level (0.12 (0.05; 0.17) versus 0.040 (0.01; 0.09) ng/ml.) A more significant decrease in the triglycerides (TG) level was detected in patients with a higher level of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) before therapy (409 (316.0; 431.4) pg/ml in patients who reduced TG level by 30% or more and 331.5 (324.9; 367.1) pg/ml in patients with a lower decrease in TG level). Among the studied parameters, no predictors of body mass reduction were revealed.
Conclusion. Measurement of HbA1c, GLP-1, GIP level may be useful to predict the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists therapy.

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