Liraglutide and Heart Failure in Type 2 Diabetes

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring incretin with insulinotropic properties. Apart from the glycemic actions, cardiovascular effects by GLP-1 have recently been reviewed. Receptors for GLP-1 are expressed in the rodent and human heart and acute activation of GLP-1 signalling has been shown to influence e.g. heart rate and blood pressure. In a knock-out mouse model, GLP-1R-/- mice exhibited a defective cardiovascular contractile response together with left ventricular hypertrophy. GLP-1 improves severe left ventricular heart failure in humans suffering from a myocardial infarction. Hence, it has been demonstrated that GLP-1 exerts direct functional effects through both GLP-1 receptor dependent and independent pathways in the heart. Native GLP-1 is an extremely short acting peptide, with a half-time breakdown of 1-2 minutes, a feature that makes it unsuitable as a drug treatment for type 2 diabetes. To this end, several long-acting GLP-1 analogues, drugs for treating type 2 diabetes, have been tested for this purpose. The analogue liraglutide exerts its effects via the native GLP-1 receptor, localized not only on the pancreatic β-cells, but also in the human heart. Interestingly, liraglutide has been demonstrated to have beneficial effect on heart function in mice. Taken together, recent data shows that GLP-1 and its stable analogue liraglutide exert beneficial cardiovascular effects. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue liraglutide improves heart function (measured as left ventricle longitudinal function and/or functional reserve during rest and/or after exercise) after 18 weeks of liraglutide + metformin, compared with glimepiride + metformin, using tissue Doppler echocardiography.
ConditionCongestive Heart Failure
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
InterventionDrug: liraglutide
Drug: glimepiride
Drug: Metformin
PhasePhase 2
SponsorThomas Nystrom
Responsible PartyKarolinska Institutet
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT01425580
First ReceivedAugust 26, 2011
Last UpdatedApril 6, 2014
Last verifiedApril 2014

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateAugust 26, 2011
Last Updated DateApril 6, 2014
Start DateJanuary 2012
Estimated Primary Completion DateNot Provided
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresLeft ventricle longitudinal function and/or functional reserve during rest and/or after exercise using tissue Doppler echocardiography [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
Current Secondary Outcome Measures
  • 24-hour blood pressure [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Energy delivering from the carotid artery [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in serum over time and symptoms of dyspnea or fatigue as assessed by patient and clinician using established scoring systems [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Gene and protein expression (Affymetrix/proteomics) [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Plasma markers of inflammation i.e. hsCRP, IL-6, TNF-α and PAI-1 [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Plasma markers of endothelial activation i.e. E-selectin, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and plasma levels of nitrate/nitrite [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Lipids [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • A1c [Time Frame: 18 week] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Body weight [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Adverse events in terms of hypoglycaemia [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: Yes]
  • Quality of life (SF 36) [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Exercise ECG, including working capacity [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Global LV function (echocardiography) expressed as ejection fraction (EF) [Time Frame: 18 weeks] [Designated as safety issue: No]

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleLiraglutide and Heart Failure in Type 2 Diabetes
Official TitleEffects on Subclinical Heart Failure in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects on Liraglutide Treatment Versus Glimepiride Both in Combination With Metformin
Brief Summary
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring incretin with insulinotropic
properties. Apart from the glycemic actions, cardiovascular effects by GLP-1 have recently
been reviewed. Receptors for GLP-1 are expressed in the rodent and human heart and acute
activation of GLP-1 signalling has been shown to influence e.g. heart rate and blood
pressure. In a knock-out mouse model, GLP-1R-/- mice exhibited a defective cardiovascular
contractile response together with left ventricular hypertrophy. GLP-1 improves severe left
ventricular heart failure in humans suffering from a myocardial infarction. Hence, it has
been demonstrated that GLP-1 exerts direct functional effects through both GLP-1 receptor
dependent and independent pathways in the heart.

Native GLP-1 is an extremely short acting peptide, with a half-time breakdown of 1-2
minutes, a feature that makes it unsuitable as a drug treatment for type 2 diabetes. To this
end, several long-acting GLP-1 analogues, drugs for treating type 2 diabetes, have been
tested for this purpose. The analogue liraglutide exerts its effects via the native GLP-1
receptor, localized not only on the pancreatic β-cells, but also in the human heart.
Interestingly, liraglutide has been demonstrated to have beneficial effect on heart function
in mice. Taken together, recent data shows that GLP-1 and its stable analogue liraglutide
exert beneficial cardiovascular effects.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)
analogue liraglutide improves heart function (measured as left ventricle longitudinal
function and/or functional reserve during rest and/or after exercise) after 18 weeks of
liraglutide + metformin, compared with glimepiride + metformin, using tissue Doppler
echocardiography.
Detailed Description
The subjects will attend a screening visit (Visit 1) in order to assess their eligibility.
If found eligible, the subjects will return at Visit 2 within approximately 4 weeks, after
Visit 1, with an up-titration with metformin 1 g BID or the maximal tolerated dosage of
metformin (Run-in period).

At Visit 2 patients will be tested for;

- Heart function at rest and during an exercise ECG Stress Test with tissue Doppler
echocardiography

- 24-hour blood pressure

- Anthropometric assessment

- Symptoms of dyspnea or fatigue (scoring system, classified as NYHA).

- Quality of life (SF 36)

- Blood test (venipuncture)

Subsequently thereafter, subjects will during visit 2 be randomized to receive either
liraglutide 1.8 mg s.c. (initial dose of 0.6 mg with an up-titration of 0.6 mg every week,
final dose 1.8 mg QD) or glimepiride 4 mg p.o (initial dose of 2 mg, with an up-titration of
1 mg every week, final dose 4 mg QD).

At Visit 2, subjects will be supplied with a glucose meter (Abbot Contour) and instruction
on use of the device including regular calibration according to the manufacturer's
instruction. Subjects will be instructed on how to record the results of the self measured
plasma glucose (SMPG) values in the meter. Subjects will then ask to monitor a 7 point
profile glucose curve consecutively in three days before visit 3, at visit 4 and at the end
of treatment (visit 5). SMBG values will be transferred via a computerized system
(Diasend®).

Visit 3. Telephone visit. Self-reporting glucose measurements.

Visit 4. Telephone visit. Self-reporting glucose measurements.

At week 18 (Visit 5), subjects will be re-tested for:

- Heart function at rest and during an exercise ECG Stress Test with tissue Doppler
echocardiography

- 24-hour blood pressure

- Anthropometric assessment

- Symptoms of dyspnea or fatigue (scoring system, classified as NYHA).

- Quality of life (SF 36)

- Blood test (venipuncture)
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 2
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Condition
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
InterventionDrug: liraglutide
1.8 mg s.c. (QD)
Drug: glimepiride
4 mg p.o. (QD)
Drug: Metformin
500 mg p.o. (BID)
Study Arm (s)
  • Experimental: liraglutide
    The present trial is a two centre, open, assessor-blinded and active-controlled, parallel-group trial, in combination with metformin. The trial will compare the treatment with liraglutide 1.8 mg (s.c) QD + metformin up to 1 g BID, with that of glimepiride 4 mg QD (comparator) + metformin up to 1 g BID, on LV function in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
  • Active Comparator: glimepiride
    4 mg p.o. (QD)

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusRecruiting
Estimated Enrollment80
Estimated Completion DateNot Provided
Estimated Primary Completion DateJune 2015
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Type 2 diabetes.

2. Heart Failure, visualized with echocardiography, one of the following (2.1, 2.2 or
2.3).

- Ejection Fraction ≤ 50%.

- Decreased systolic velocity (four chamber view) where two, out of four segments
(Septum, Lateral, Inferior and Anterior Wall) has a relative decrease in
velocity of 20% compared to a normal population.

- Evidence of diastolic dysfunction as shown by abnormal left ventricular
relaxation, filling, diastolic distensibility or stiffness. An E/E' ratio (ratio
of early diastolic velocities of mitral inflow derived Doppler imaging and
myocardial movement derived by tissue Doppler imaging) >15 is considered
diagnostic of diastolic dysfunction and an E/E' ratio < 8 as diagnostic of the
absence of diastolic heart failure. An increased left atrial size (>49 ml/ m2)
and an increased left ventricular mass (>122 g/m2 in women and >149 g/m2 in men)
are considered sufficient evidence of diastolic dysfunction when the E/E' ratio
is inconclusive.

3. HbA1c (accordingly to IFCC) 60 mmol/mol - 95 mmol/mol.

4. If antihypertensive treatment, the medication has to be stable, no change, for the
last 1 month.

5. Male and female subjects, 18-70 years of age.

6. Signed informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Type 1 diabetes (autoantibody positive).

2. Any history of receiving GLP-1 analogues or dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors (DPP-IV
inhibitor) or glimeperide.

3. Previous treatment with glitazones within 6 months.

4. Previous treatment with other sulphonylurea within 3 months.

5. Previous treatment with insulin (any regimen) within 1 month.

6. Known severe heart failure, classified as NYHA 3-4.

7. Significant ischemic heart disease (defined as angina-limited exercise or unstable
angina); documented acute myocardial infarction (MI) within the previous 8 weeks.

8. Active myocarditis; malfunctioning artificial heart valve.

9. Atria fibrillation or flutter

10. History of ventricular tachycardia within 3 months before study entry; second- or
third-degree atrioventricular block.

11. Implanted pacemaker.

12. Supine systolic blood pressure <85 mm Hg or >200 mm Hg.

13. Primary renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 ml/min), or creatinine clearance
< 60 ml/min if treated with metformin.

14. Uncorrected hypokalemia or hyperkalemia (potassium <3.5 mmol/l or >5.5 mmol/l).

15. Significant anemia (Hb < 90 g/l)

16. Treatment with another investigational agent within 30 days before study entry,
judged by the investigator.

17. Severe gastrointestinal disease, including gastroparesis. As judged by the
investigator.

18. Body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2.

19. Malignant neoplasm requiring chemotherapy, surgery, radiation or palliative therapy
in the previous 5 years. Patients with intraepithelial squamous cell carcinoma of the
skin treated with topical 5FU and subjects with basal cell skin cancer are allowed to
enter the trial.

20. Females of child bearing potential who are pregnant, breast-feeding or intend to
become pregnant or are not using adequate contraceptive methods (adequate
contraceptive measures as required by local law or practice).

21. Current drug and alcohol abuse.

22. History of acute or chronic pancreatitis

23. Subjects considered by the investigator to be unsuitable for the study.

-
GenderBoth
Ages18 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsContact: Thomas Nyström, MD, PhD
+4686163211
thomas.nystrom@sodersjukhuset.se
Location CountriesSweden

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT01425580
Other Study ID NumbersEU-nr 2010-022695-31
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNo
Information Provided ByKarolinska Institutet
Study SponsorThomas Nystrom
CollaboratorsÖrebro University, Sweden
Investigators Principal Investigator: Johan Jendle, MD, PhD University of Örebro
Verification DateApril 2014

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Karolinska Institutet, Division of Internal Medicine Södersjukhuset AB
Stockholm, Sweden, 118 83
Contact: Thomas Nyström, MD | +4686163211 | thomas.nyström@sodersjukhuset.se
Principal Investigator: Thomas Nyström, MD
Recruiting
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset
Stockholm, Sweden, 118 83
Contact: Thomas Nyström, MD, PhD | +4686163211 | thomas.nystrom@sodersjukhuset.se
Principal Investigator: Johan Jendle, MD, PhD
Recruiting