Published in:
Open Access 01-09-2016 | Brief Report
Postprandial Glucagon Reductions Correlate to Reductions in Postprandial Glucose and Glycated Hemoglobin with Lixisenatide Treatment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Post Hoc Analysis
Published in: Diabetes Therapy | Issue 3/2016
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Introduction
The extent to which postprandial glucagon reductions contribute to lowering of postprandial glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is currently unknown. The aim of this analysis was to determine whether a reduction in postprandial glucagon following treatment with the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist lixisenatide correlates with a reduction in postprandial glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with T2DM.
Methods
A post hoc analysis was performed on pooled data from the modified intent-to-treat populations of two lixisenatide Phase 3 trials: GetGoal-M (lixisenatide versus placebo as add-on to metformin) and GetGoal-S (lixisenatide versus placebo as add-on to sulfonylurea [SU] ± metformin). Glucagon levels were assessed 2 h after a standardized meal test performed at baseline and Week 24 and were examined for correlation with changes in 2-h postprandial glucose and HbA1c.
Results
Lixisenatide reduced 2-h postprandial glucagon at Week 24 compared with placebo (P < 0.00001). The mean change in postprandial glucagon significantly correlated with reductions in postprandial glucose (P < 0.00001) and HbA1c (P < 0.00001).
Conclusion
A reduction in postprandial glucagon following lixisenatide administration correlated with a decrease in postprandial glucose and HbA1c in patients with T2DM insufficiently controlled on metformin and/or SU. This suggests that lowering of postprandial glucagon contributes to the overall glycemic improvement observed with lixisenatide.
Funding
Sanofi.
Clinical Trial Numbers
NCT00712673 (GetGoal-M) and NCT00713830 (GetGoal-S).