glucagon-like-peptide-1 and Pancreatic-Diseases

GLP-1 agonists have been widely used in the therapy of type 2 diabetes due to their beneficial effects regarding weight loss and low risk of hypoglycemia. However, some safety concerns have been raised in view of possible detrimental effects to the pancreas. The future place of GLP-1 agonist in diabetes therapy will be determined by the current safety evaluation and data from studies investigating long-term effects.

Topics: Blood Pressure; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Exenatide; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Pancreatic Diseases; Peptides; Venoms

A lot of contradictory data regarding the serious side effects of incretin-based therapies are currently available, with more being prepared or published every month. Considering the widespread use of these drugs it should be considered a priority to establish both short- and long-term risks connected with incretin treatment. We performed an extensive literature search of the PubMed database looking for articles dealing with connections between incretin-based therapies and pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer and other neoplasms. Data obtained indicate that GLP-1 agonists and DPPIV inhibitors could increase the risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, possibly due to their capacity to increase ductal cell turnover, which has previously been found to be up-regulated in patients with obesity and T2DM. GLP-1 analogues exenatide and liraglutide seem to be connected with medullary thyroid carcinoma in rat models and, surprisingly, GLP-1 receptors have been found in papillary thyroid carcinoma, currently the most common neoplasm of the thyroid gland in humans. Changes in expression of DPPIV have been described in ovarian carcinoma, melanoma, endometrial adenocarcinoma, prostate cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and in certain haematological malignancies. In most cases loss of DPPIV activity is connected with a higher grading scale, more aggressive tumour behaviour and higher metastatic potential. In conclusion animal and human studies indicate that there could be a connection between incretin-based therapies and pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer and other neoplasms. Therefore whenever such therapy is started it would be wise to proceed with caution, especially if personal history of neoplasms is present.

Topics: Animals; Cell Proliferation; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; Gastrointestinal Agents; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Incretins; Insulin; Models, Animal; Neoplasms; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pancreas; Pancreatic Diseases; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rats; Risk Factors

Type 2 diabetes is a heterogeneous, polygenic disorder in which dysfunction in a number of important metabolic pathways appears to play roles. Although it remains unclear exactly which event triggers the disorder, beta-cell dysfunction is a key element in the underlyingpathophysiology. Both impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance contribute to the hyperglycemic state that causes the devastating cardiovascular, neurologic, and renal effects characteristic of type 2 diabetes. To prevent these complications, the American Diabetes Association recommends maintaining A1C levels below 7%. A1C has long been the target of diabetes therapy, and while this remains true in those with A1C levels above 8.4%, it is now apparent that in those with mild to moderate diabetes, postprandial glucose excursions may be of greater importance. Postprandial hyperglycemia occurs in 74% of those diagnosed with diabetes and 39% of those with optimal A1C levels. Involvement of impaired alpha-cell function has recently been recognized in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. As a result of this dysfunction, glucagon and hepatic glucose levels that rise during fasting are not suppressed with a meal. Given inadequate levels of insulin and increased insulin resistance, hyperglycemia results. The incretins are important gut mediators of insulin release, and in the case of GLP-1, of glucagon suppression. Although GIP activity is impaired in those with type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 insulinotropic effects are preserved, and thus GLP-1 represents a potentially beneficial therapeutic option. However, like GIP, GLP-1 is rapidly inactivated by DPP-IV in vivo. Two therapeutic approaches to this problem have been developed: GLP-1 analogs with increased half-lives, and DPP-IV inhibitors, which prevent the breakdown of endogenous GLP-1 as well as GIP. Both classes of agent have shown promise, with potential not only to normalize fasting and postprandial glucose levels but also to improve beta-cell functioning and mass.

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Disease Progression; Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Incretins; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Pancreatic Diseases; Postprandial Period

Topics: Case-Control Studies; Diabetes Mellitus; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; Pancreatectomy; Pancreatic Diseases; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sitagliptin Phosphate; Transplantation, Autologous; Treatment Outcome

Pancreatic lipidosis (nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease, NAFPD) causes insulin resistance and dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells, with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the prevalence and pathogenic factors associated with NAFPD are not clear. The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence of NAFPD in a Chinese adult population, and investigate factors associated with NAFPD aggravation.This was a cross-sectional study; 4419 subjects were enrolled for NAFPD screening and were divided into NAFPD (n = 488) and without NAFPD (n = 3930) groups. The sex, age, related concomitant diseases, general physical parameters, and serum glucose and lipid metabolism were compared between the 2 groups.The overall NAFPD prevalence was 11.05%, but increased with age. In those <55 years NAFPD prevalence was lower in females than males (P < .05), but prevalence was similar >55 years. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), T2DM, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index, total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein, adiponectin, and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) were the independent risk factors for NAFPD (P < .05). Analaysis of mild NAFPD (MN) and severe NAFPD (SN) subgroups, according to the extent of fat deposition, suggested that NAFLD, triglyceride, lipoprotein, and adiponectin were independent risk factors for NAFPD aggravation (P < .05).The NAFPD prevalence was about 11% in Chinese adults. Its development and progression was related to NAFLD, T2DM, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and GLP-1 levels. Severe NAFPD was associated with NAFLD and dyslipidemia.

Topics: Adiponectin; Adult; Age Factors; China; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dyslipidemias; Female; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Hypertension; Insulin Resistance; Lipoproteins; Male; Middle Aged; Overweight; Pancreatic Diseases; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Triglycerides

Glucagon-like peptide 1-based therapies, collectively described as incretins, produce glycemic benefits in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recent publications raised concern for a potential increased risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer with incretins based in part on findings from a small number of rodents. However, extensive toxicology assessments in a substantial number of animals dosed up to 2 years at high multiples of human exposure do not support these concerns. We hypothesized that the lesions being attributed to incretins are commonly observed background findings and endeavored to characterize the incidence of spontaneous pancreatic lesions in three rat strains (Sprague-Dawley [S-D] rats, Zucker diabetic fatty [ZDF] rats, and rats expressing human islet amyloid polypeptide [HIP]; n = 36/group) on a normal or high-fat diet over 4 months. Pancreatic findings in all groups included focal exocrine degeneration, atrophy, inflammation, ductular cell proliferation, and/or observations in large pancreatic ducts similar to those described in the literature, with an incidence of exocrine atrophy/inflammation seen in S-D (42-72%), HIP (39%), and ZDF (6%) rats. These data indicate that the pancreatic findings attributed to incretins are common background findings, observed without drug treatment and independent of diet or glycemic status, suggesting a need to exercise caution when interpreting the relevance of some recent reports regarding human safety.

Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus; Diet, High-Fat; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Incretins; Pancreas; Pancreatic Diseases; Pancreatitis; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats, Zucker; Weight Gain

Topics: Animals; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Pancreas; Pancreatic Diseases

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus; Drug Industry; Europe; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Incretins; Pancreatic Diseases

Topics: Diabetes Mellitus; Drug Industry; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Humans; Incretins; Pancreatic Diseases

Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Gastroenterology; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Glucagon; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Glucagon-Like Peptides; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Liver Diseases; Pancreatic Diseases; Peptide Fragments; Peptides; Protein Precursors