When included in the standard treatment for type 2 diabetes, empagliflozin reduces liver fat and improves ALT levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD.

Aims/hypothesis Liraglutide, a daily injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1r) agonist, has been shown to reduce liver fat content (LFC) in humans. Data regarding the effect of dulaglutide, a once-weekly GLP-1r agonist, on human LFC are scarce. This study examined the effect of dulaglutide on LFC in individuals with type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods Effect of dulaglutide on liver fat (D-LIFT) was a 24 week, open-label, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial to determine the effect of dulaglutide on liver fat at a tertiary care centre in India. Adults (n = 64), who had type 2 diabetes and MRI-derived proton density fat fraction-assessed LFC of ≥6.0% at baseline, were randomly assigned to receive dulaglutide weekly for 24 weeks (add-on to usual care) or usual care, based on a predefined computer-generated number with a 1:1 allocation that was concealed using serially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. The primary endpoint was the difference of the change in LFC from 0 (baseline) to 24 weeks between groups. The secondary outcome measures included the difference of the change in pancreatic fat content (PFC), change in liver stiffness measurement (LSM in kPa) measured by vibration-controlled transient elastography, and change in liver enzymes. Results Eighty-eight patients were screened; 32 were randomly assigned to the dulaglutide group and 32 to the control group. Overall, 52 participants were included for per-protocol analysis: those who had MRI-PDFF data at baseline and week 24. Dulaglutide treatment resulted in a control-corrected absolute change in LFC of −3.5% (95% CI −6.6, −0.4; p = 0.025) and relative change of −26.4% (−44.2, −8.6; p = 0.004), corresponding to a 2.6-fold greater reduction. Dulaglutide-treated participants also showed a significant reduction in γglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels (mean between-group difference −13.1 U/l [95% CI −24.4, −1.8]; p = 0.025) and non-significant reductions in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (−9.3 U/l [−19.5, 1.0]; p = 0.075) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (−13.1 U/l [−24.4, 2.5]; p = 0.10). Absolute changes in PFC (−1.4% [−3.2, 0.3]; p = 0.106) and LSM (−1.31 kPa [−2.99, 0.37]; p = 0.123) were not significant when comparing the two groups. There were no serious drug-related adverse events. Conclusions/interpretation When included in the standard treatment for type 2 diabetes, dulaglutide significantly reduces LFC and improves GGT levels in participants with NAFLD. There were non-significant reductions in PFC, liver stiffness, serum AST and serum ALT levels. Dulaglutide could be considered for the early treatment of NAFLD in patients with type 2 diabetes. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03590626 Funding The current study was supported by an investigator-initiated study grant from Medanta-The Medicity's departmental research fund and a grant from the Endocrine and Diabetes Foundation (EDF), India.

Our data demonstrate an emergence of vitamin D toxicity as an increasingly common cause of symptomatic hypercalcaemia. Irrational use of vitamin D in mega-doses resulted in vitamin D toxicity in all cases. Awareness among healthcare providers regarding the toxic potential of high doses of vitamin D and cautious use of vitamin D supplements is the key to prevent this condition.

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Our study confirms the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency all across India in apparently healthy, middle-aged health care professionals.

Context:GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are unique antidiabetic agents that have the ability to lower blood glucose without causing hypoglycemia, while at the same time promoting weight loss. Information on the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 RA in the Indian diabetic population is limited.Aims:(1) To evaluate the effect of GLP-1 RA, Liraglutide on glycemic control, and weight in obese Indian patients with type 2 diabetes. (2) To study the adverse event profile of Liraglutide in these patients in real-world clinical setting.Settings and Design:Observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital.Materials and Methods:Liraglutide was prescribed to 196 obese patients with type 2 diabetes who had poor glycemic control on oral medications ± insulin. The initial dose of Liraglutide was 0.6 mg, which was up-titrated to 1.2 mg after 1 week; further up-titration to 1.8 mg was done based on tolerance. Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors were discontinued and dose of other medications adjusted according to clinical judgment during the study period.Results:Mean age of patients was 49.9 ± 9.6 years. Three month data were available for 175 patients out of a total of 196. At 3 months, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 7.6 ± 0.9% vs. 9.2 ± 1.9% at baseline (P = 0.007) and mean body weight was 96.0 ± 16.5 kg vs. 100.1 ± 17.5 kg at baseline (P < 0.001). Most common adverse events were nausea, burping, and eructation (10%).Conclusion:Liraglutide significantly improves glycemic control with low risk of hypoglycemia and is associated with significant weight loss in obese Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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