Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of SGLT2i and its impact on metabolic profile of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients with reference to serum glucagon and blood ketones.
Methodology: The study was conducted in T2DM patients with inadequate glycemic control on a background therapy of either metformin and sulphonylurea (Group A) or metformin and DPP4 inhibitor(Group B) Blood samples were taken for estimation of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post prandial plasma glucose (PPPG), HbA1c, beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB) and glucagon levels. Empagliflozin 10mg, was added to the existing anti-diabetic medication. The metabolic parameters were reassessed after 12 weeks.
Results: At the end of 12 weeks glucagon levels increased significantly (28.8 ± 28.74 at baseline vs 108 ± 74 pg/ml; p<0.001). A significant increase in β-HB levels was also observed (0.1 ± 0.07 mmol/L at baseline versus 0.12 ± 0.07 mmol/L (p=0.03). FPG, PPPG and HbA1c decreased significantly by 30.33mg%, 53.16mg% and 1.05% respectively(p<0.01) In group A, FPG and PPPG decreased by 34.43 mg/dl and 51.71mg/dl respectively (p<0.001) with a mean HbA1c reduction of 1.09% (p<0.001) Serum glucagon and β-HB levels increased significantly [82.63 pg/ml (p<0.001) and 0.04 mmol/L (p<0.01) respectively]. In group B, there was decrease in FPG (mean difference 23.6mg %; p=0.003) and PPPG (mean difference 55.5mg%; p<0.001) at 12 weeks. HbA1c reduction of 0.99% was observed. (p=0.003) There was a significant increase in glucagon levels (mean difference +73.52 pg/ml; p<0.001).
Conclusion: Addition of Empagliflozin to T2DM patients with inadequate glycemic control on either metformin and sulphonylurea or metformin and DPP4 inhibitors significantly improved efficacy. Plasma glucagon and β-HB levels increased with chronic empagliflozin treatment suggesting a change in substrate utilization towards fat.
S. Kandula: None. M.A. Meshram: None. A.C. Sonwane: None.