Italy: An original
research article published in Frontiers in Endocrinology has mentioned that
Semaglutide preserves the functioning of β-cell. It may have disease-modifying
actions on insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
Dr Berra et al. and
the team from the Center for Outcomes Research and Clinical Epidemiology,
Pescara, Italy, evaluated the real-world impact of once-weekly (OW)
subcutaneous semaglutide on different end-points indicating metabolic control,
cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, and beta-cell function in T2D.
The researchers did
this study in five diabetes clinics in Italy. During 12 months, they evaluated
HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), weight, BP, lipid profile, kidney function,
and beta-cell function (HOMA-B).
The results of the
study could be summarised as follows:
- The study included 594 patients with a mean
age of 63.9 years, with 58.7% men. - The duration of diabetes was 11.4 ± 8.0 years.
- After giving OW semaglutide for six months,
HbA1c levels were reduced by 0.90%, FBG by 26 mg/dl, and body weight by
3.43 kg. There was improvement reported in Systolic blood pressure and
cholesterol (total and LDL-). - There were more benefits at 12 months.
- Renal safety was confirmed as Renal parameters
like eGFR and ACR remained unchanged after 12 months of treatment. - There was an increase in HOMA-B after six
months from 40.2% to 57.8%.
The researchers
discussed that semaglutide benefits metabolic control, multiple cardiovascular
risk factors, and renal safety in the real world.
It modifies insulin
resistance (HOMA-IR).
Our study confirms
the effectiveness of OW semaglutide in a high CV-risk real-world cohort of
patients with uncontrolled T2DM. The findings align with existing knowledge in
the context of improvement in Fasting Blood Glucose, Body Mass Index, total and
LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Further
reading:
Berra, Cesare C.,
et al. “Real World Effectiveness of Subcutaneous Semaglutide in Type 2
Diabetes: A Retrospective, Cohort Study (Sema-MiDiab01).” Frontiers in
Endocrinology, vol. 13, Frontiers Media SA, Jan. 2023. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.1099451.