Reduction of visceral fat by liraglutide is associated with ameliorations of hepatic steatosis, albuminuria, and micro-inflammation in type 2 diabetic patients with insulin treatment: a randomized control trial

Endocr J. 2017 Mar 31;64(3):269-281. doi: 10.1507/endocrj.EJ16-0449. Epub 2016 Dec 3.

Abstract

Liraglutide, an analogue of human glucagon-like peptide 1, reduces cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes; however, it has still been unknown by which mechanisms liraglutide could reduce cardiovascular events. Type 2 diabetic patients with insulin treatment were enrolled in this randomized, open-label, comparative study. Participants were randomly assigned to liraglutide plus insulin (liraglutide group) and insulin treatment (control group) at 1:1 allocation. Primary endpoint was the change in viscera fat are (VFA, cm2) at 24 weeks. Liver attenuation index (LAI) measured by abdominal computed tomography, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR, mg/g), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, skeletal muscle index (SMI), and quality of life (QOL) related to diabetes treatment were also determined. Seventeen patients (8; liraglutide group, 9; control group, mean age 59 ± 13 years; 53% female) completed this study. Liraglutide treatment significantly reduced VFA at 24 weeks; whereas, SFA was unchanged. ACR, LAI, and CRP levels were significantly reduced by liraglutide at 24 weeks and there was no difference in SMI between the two groups. Changes in VFA from baseline to 24 weeks were significantly associated with those in LAI, albuminuria, and HbA1c. Liraglutide treatment significantly improved QOL scores associated with anxiety and dissatisfaction with treatment and satisfaction with treatment. No severe adverse events were observed in both groups. Our data suggest that liraglutide could reduce visceral adiposity in parallel with attenuation of hepatic fat accumulation, albuminuria and micro-inflammation and improve QOL related to diabetes care in insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity / drug effects
  • Albuminuria / etiology
  • Albuminuria / prevention & control
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / complications
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / immunology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / immunology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / pathology
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / epidemiology
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / immunology
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / prevention & control
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / epidemiology
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / immunology
  • Diabetic Cardiomyopathies / prevention & control
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / immunology
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / physiopathology
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / prevention & control*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin / therapeutic use*
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / drug effects*
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / immunology
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Liraglutide / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / complications
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / immunology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / prevention & control*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Quality of Life
  • Risk

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Liraglutide