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OBJECTIVE -We explored whether cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and the effects of fenofibrate differed in subjects with and without metabolic syndrome and according to various features of metabolic syndrome defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) in subjects with type 2 diabetes in the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) study.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its features was calculated. Cox proportional models adjusted for age, sex, CVD status, and baseline A1C levels were used to determine the independent contributions of metabolic syndrome features to total CVD event rates and the effects of fenofibrate.RESULTS -More than 80% of FIELD participants met the ATP III criteria for metabolic syndrome. Each ATP III feature of metabolic syndrome, apart from increased waist circumference, increased the absolute risk of CVD events over 5 years by at least 3%. Those with marked dyslipidemia (elevated triglycerides Ն2.3 mmol/l and low HDL cholesterol) were at the highest risk of CVD (17.8% over 5 years). Fenofibrate significantly reduced CVD events in those with low HDL cholesterol or hypertension. The largest effect of fenofibrate to reduce CVD risk was observed in subjects with marked dyslipidemia in whom a 27% relative risk reduction (95% CI 9 -42, P ϭ 0.005; number needed to treat ϭ 23) was observed. Subjects with no prior CVD had greater risk reductions than the entire group.CONCLUSIONS -Metabolic syndrome components identify higher CVD risk in individuals with type 2 diabetes, so the absolute benefits of fenofibrate are likely to be greater when metabolic syndrome features are present. The highest risk and greatest benefits of fenofibrate are seen among those with marked hypertriglyceridemia. Diabetes Care 32:493-498, 2009

Aims/hypothesis Fenofibrate caused an acute, sustained plasma creatinine increase in the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) and Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) studies. We assessed fenofibrate's renal effects overall and in a FIELD washout sub-study. Methods Type 2 diabetic patients (n=9,795) aged 50 to 75 years were randomly assigned to fenofibrate (n=4,895) or placebo (n=4,900) for 5 years, after 6 weeks fenofibrate run-in. Albuminuria (urinary albumin/creatinine ratio measured at baseline, year 2 and close-out) and estimated GFR, measured four to six monthly according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study, were pre-specified endpoints. Plasma creatinine was re-measured 8 weeks after treatment cessation at close-out (washout sub-study, n=661). Analysis was by intention-to-treat. Results During fenofibrate run-in, plasma creatinine increased by 10.0 μmol/l (p<0.001), but quickly reversed on placebo assignment. It remained higher on fenofibrate than on placebo, but the chronic rise was slower (1.62 vs 1.89 μmol/l annually, p=0.01), with less estimated GFR loss (1.19 vs 2.03 ml min −1 1.73 m −2 annually, p<0.001). After washout, estimated GFR had fallen less from baseline on fenofibrate (1.9 ml min −1 1.73 m −2 , p=0.065) than on placebo (6.9 ml min −1 1.73 m −2 , p<0.001), sparing 5.0 ml min

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of MK-0941, a glucokinase activator (GKA), when added to stable-dose insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSIn this double-blind study, 587 patients taking stable-dose insulin glargine (±metformin ≥1,500 mg/day) were randomized (1:1:1:1:1) to MK-0941 10, 20, 30, or 40 mg or matching placebo t.i.d. before meals (a.c.). This study included an initial 14-week, dose-ranging phase followed by a 40-week treatment phase during which patients were to be uptitrated as tolerated to 40 mg (or placebo) t.i.d. a.c. The primary efficacy end point was change from baseline in A1C at Week 14.RESULTSAt Week 14, A1C and 2-h postmeal glucose (PMG) improved significantly versus placebo with all MK-0941 doses. Maximal placebo-adjusted least squares mean changes from baseline in A1C (baseline A1C 9.0%) and 2-h PMG were −0.8% and −37 mg/dL (−2 mmol/L), respectively. No significant effects on fasting plasma glucose were observed at any dose versus placebo. By 30 weeks, the initial glycemic responses noted at 14 weeks were not sustained. MK-0941 at one or more doses was associated with significant increases in the incidence of hypoglycemia, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and proportion of patients meeting criteria for predefined limits of change for increased diastolic blood pressure.CONCLUSIONSIn patients receiving stable-dose insulin glargine, the GKA MK-0941 led to improvements in glycemic control that were not sustained. MK-0941 was associated with an increased incidence of hypoglycemia and elevations in triglycerides and blood pressure.

In this study, sitagliptin was generally well tolerated and provided effective glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate to severe renal insufficiency, including patients with ESRD on dialysis.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, sitagliptin, in patients with type 2 diabetes who have inadequate glycaemic control on diet and exercise. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled study, 743 patients with type 2 diabetes and a mean baseline HbA(1c) of 7.9% were randomised to receive one of six treatments for 12 weeks: placebo, sitagliptin 5, 12.5, 25 or 50 mg b.i.d., or glipizide 5 mg/day (electively titrated up to 20 mg/day). At week 12, treatment with sitagliptin at all doses tested led to a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in HbA(1c) relative to placebo, with the largest reductions occurring in the 50-mg b.i.d. group. The placebo-subtracted differences in HbA(1c) for the sitagliptin dose groups ranged from -0.38% to -0.77% in a dose-dependent manner, and -1.00% in the glipizide group. Sitagliptin also produced significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose and mean daily glucose across the dose range studied. Sitagliptin treatment was well tolerated and resulted in no significant weight change relative to placebo. There was a modest weight gain observed with glipizide treatment relative to placebo. Hypoglycaemia adverse experiences were reported with the highest incidence in the glipizide group (17%) compared with the placebo (2%) or sitagliptin groups (0-4%, not dose-dependent). In summary, in this study sitagliptin improved glycaemic control, with 50 mg b.i.d. being the most effective dose, and was generally well-tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes.

In this 18-week study, the addition of sitagliptin was effective and well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy. Treatment with sitagliptin produced similar reductions in HbA(1c) compared with the addition of rosiglitazone.

for the Simvastatin in Children Study GroupBackground-A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate LDL cholesterol-lowering efficacy, overall safety, and tolerability and the influence on growth and pubertal development of simvastatin in a large cohort of boys and girls with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH). Methods and Results-A total of 173 heFH children (98 boys and 75 girls) were included in this study. After a 4-week diet/placebo run-in period, children with heFH were randomized to either simvastatin or placebo in a ratio of 3:2.Simvastatin was started at 10 mg/d and titrated at 8-week intervals to 20 and then 40 mg/d. During a 24-week extension period, the patients continued to receive simvastatin (40 mg) or placebo according to their assignment. After 48 weeks of simvastatin therapy, there were significant reductions of LDL cholesterol (Ϫ41%), total cholesterol (Ϫ31%), apolipoprotein B (Ϫ34%), VLDL cholesterol (Ϫ21%), and triglyceride (Ϫ9%) levels. HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels were increased by 3.3% and 10.4%, respectively (not significant). No safety issues became evident. Except for small decreases in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate compared with placebo, there were no significant changes from baseline in adrenal, gonadal, and pituitary hormones in either treatment group. Conclusions-Simvastatin significantly reduced LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B levels and was well tolerated in children with heFH. There was no evidence of any adverse effect of simvastatin on growth and pubertal development. Therefore, simvastatin at doses up to 40 mg is a well-tolerated and effective therapy for heFH children.