Dominika Rokicka

Metformin — a new old drug

For many years metformin has been the gold standard in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. According to recommendations of the most important diabetes associations, this is the first-choice drug for use as monotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Metformin is also recommended in combined treatment when monotherapy is no longer effective. It is then combined with a sulfony-lurea, an incretin, flozin, or insulin, irrespective of the number of insulin injections per day. Besides its properties used in the treatment of diabetes, metformin has been treated for some time as a drug of a so-called pleiotropic activity, as each year brings new reports about its favourable effect in different conditions. At present, the scope of reimbursed indications of this drug has been expanded to include prediabetes, insulin resistance syndromes, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Metformin does not stimulate insulin secretion by the beta cells of the pancreas, and thus it is a drug that does not cause hypoglycaemia. The blood glucose-lowering effect of the drug is a consequence of hepatic glucose production inhibition, and of peripheral tissue (muscle tissue, fatty tissue) sensitisation to the effect of insulin of both endogenous and exogenous origin. The exact mechanism of metformin action at the cellular level remained unknown for a long time. Studies performed in recent years have provided a great deal of information that enables better understanding of the mechanism of action of the drug as well as the clinical effects resulting from its use. Metformin, besides improvement of glycaemia, is neutral to body weight, is cardioprotective, improves lipid profile, and has a probable anti-cancer effect. Metformin accumulation in the intestinal mucosa may interfere with FDG (18F-deoxyglucose) PET-CT image assessment. The aim of this article is a detailed discussion of metformin properties, its mechanisms of action, and clinical effects.

Is there an impact of treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors on lymphocyte subpopulations in type 2 diabetic patients?

INTRODUCTION Dipeptidil peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4) are a group of antihyperglycemic agents. DPP-4 is an enzyme expressed on lymphocyte surface as co-stimulatory molecule in activation processes. The aim was to assess lymphocyte subpopulations initially and after 14 days of treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors sitagliptin, saxagliptin and vildagliptin. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in three groups 10 subjects each, of type 2 diabetic patients. In subjects studied an initial tests followed by repeated ones after 14 days of treatment with sitagliptin, saxagliptin, and vildagliptin in therapeutic doses were performed. Baseline test as well as lymphocyte subpopulations (total T cells, and T-cell subsets CD4+, CD8+, CD26+, CD45RA+, CD45RO+, CD4+/CD25+) using 7-colour flow cytometry method were performed. RESULTS In patients receiving sitagliptin no significant increase in lymphocyte subpopulations were observed. In patients who received vildagliptin significant increase of total T-cells (p < 0.05); in patients treated with saxagliptin significant (p < 0.05) though mild increased percentage of total T-cells and CD4+, CD26+, CD45RO+ subsets were found. CONCLUSIONS The study showed mild but significant increase of several T-cell subsets after treatment with saxagliptin and vildagliptin with non significant elevation after treatment with sitagliptin. It seems that changes are not expressed enough to have a clinical impact.

Assessment of compliance to self monitoring of blood glucose in type 2 diabetic patients and level of implementation of Polish Diabetes Association Recommendation for general practitioners

Introduction. Self monitoring of blood glucose is one of basic elements of effective diabetes treatment. Due to proper self monitoring of blood glucose adequate modification of diabetes treatment — fulfilling criteria of good glycemic control — is possible. Effective treatment enables prevention of late diabetic complications — a cause of disability or death in diabetic population. Material and methods. 765 type 2 diabetic patients (above 18 yrs) treated with both oral hypoglycaemic drugs or insulin in different schemes were observed (mean age: 64.5 ± 10.9 yrs). Therapy was in line with general standards of treatment, medication choice was based on indications and previous independent physician decision. Patients were given glucometer ContourPlus and were taught how to use it and how often measurement had to be taken (on the basis of Polish Diabetes Association Recommendation for 2016). After 3 months (± 2 weeks) assessment of compliance to self monitoring of blood glucose was performed. Additionally, level of implementation of Polish Diabetes Association Recommendation for general practitioners, functionality of glucometer and usefulness of “second chance” measurement were evaluated. Results. 440 participants completely fulfilled recommendations (65.1%) of general practitioner (investigator) regarding self monitoring documentation (type of documentation provided: glucometer, glucose monitoring diary). In investigators opinion, 315 patients (below 50%) were conscientiously compliant to self monitoring of blood glucose based on Polish Diabetes Association Recommendations. In general practice for about 68.0% of patients (n = 506) Polish Diabetes Association Recommendations for self blood glucose monitoring were implemented. Based on investigators opinion the most important features of glucometers which determine effectiveness of self monitoring of glucose are: simplicity, high capacity memory, accuracy and precision of measurement, evaluation of mean glucose in general and mean pre-/after meal. 67.7% patients (n = 451) regarded possibility of “second chance” measurement in glucometer ContourPlus as useful in daily self monitoring of blood glucose. Conclusions. Discrepancy between Polish Diabetes Association Recommendations of self blood glucose monitoring and its realization by type 2 diabetic patients, carried out by general practitioners, was observed. Effective glucose monitoring is dependent on tight cooperation between doctor and patient.

Determination of the value of glycated hemoglobin HbA 1c and fructosamine in assessing the risk of perioperative complications after cardiac surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes

Introduction Patients with diabetes have a worse postoperative course and longer length of hospital stay after surgery. A good indicator of proper long-term (3 months) glycemic control is glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fructosamine in the short term (2–3 weeks). Aim To determine the degree of glycemic control evaluated preoperatively by HbA1c and/or fructosamine influence on the postoperative course of patients with diabetes undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 2014–2015. Material and methods Before the operation HbA1c (N < 7.0) and fructosamine (N < 280 µmol/l) were measured and depending on the results the respondents were divided into 4 groups: group I (n = 46) – normal both parameters; group II (n = 22) – high both values; group III (n = 4) – normal fructosamine/HbA1c high; group IV (n = 33) – high HbA1c/fructosamine normal. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test assuming p < 0.05 to be statistically significant. Results One hundred and five patients were treated by CABG/OPCAB (39 female, 66 males). The mean age was 65.7 ±7.3, HbA1c: 7.23 ±1.2%, fructosamine: 261.8 ±43.8. There was no difference in the incidence of other postoperative complications between the two groups. Conclusions Glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine levels to a similar extent define the risk of perioperative complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In patients in whom there is a need to quickly compensate for elevated blood glucose consider enabling determination of fructosamine.

Effect of intravenous versus subcutaneous insulin delivery on the intensity of neuropathic pain in diabetic subjects.

INTRODUCTION The effectiveness of treatment of painful diabetic polyneuropathy remains unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to compare effects of intravenous vs. subcutaneous insulin delivery in patients with diabetic symmetric sensorimotor polyneuropathy on pain relief, the quality of life, sleep disturbance, and the nerve conduction. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-four patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (mean age 62 ± 10 years, duration 17 ± 10 years), who reached a pain score over 40 mm on the VAS scale, HbA(1c) 7.5-10%, were randomly assigned to continuous intravenous insulin infusion (examined group) and multiple injections (control subjects). Before and after five days of the insulin treatment the effects on pain relief (SFMPQ-VAS), the quality of life improvement (EuroQol EQ-5D), and sleep disturbances (AIS) were assessed. RESULTS Both groups experienced significant pain reduction, improvement of the quality of life, and reduction of sleep disturbances, i.e. a VAS in the study group of 69 ± 14 mm before treatment vs. 40 ± 19 mm after treatment (p < 0.001), and in control subjects 66 ± 16 mm vs. 47 ± 17 mm (p < 0.001). No difference in level of pain intensity reduction between the groups studied was found. CONCLUSIONS Intensification of insulin treatment applied for five days results in improvement of the physical condition of patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy, through pain relief, and improvement of the quality of life and sleep quality. The efficacy of insulin intravenous infusion and multiple injections is comparable.