Endocrine Abstracts

DHEAS, an adrenal steroid which displays antiatherogenic and cardioprotective actions, has been pointed as a marker of insulin sensivity (IS). No studies have inquired the effects of liraglutide on DHEAS levels and its relatioship with IS in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We have studied 12 diabetic male patients (aged 48.6±10.4 years), before and after 6 months of liraglutide therapy. Liraglutide was initiated at 0.6 mg/day for a week and 1.2 mg/day thereafter. We measured biochemical parametres and adrenal steroids. IS was assesed by HOMA-IR and β cell function by HOMA-β.

Results: There were a significant decrease in weight (114.6 vs 106.6 kg, P<0.001), BMI (40.16 vs 35.06 kg/m², P<0.001), waist perimeter (125 vs 120.3 cm, P<0.001), HbA1c (8.05 vs 7.08%, P<0.001), glucose (158.9 vs 126.2 mg/dl, P=0.010), HDL (40.45 vs 42.54 mg/dl, P=0.013), triglycerides (190.1 vs 151.5, P=0.010) and HOMA-IR (6.13 vs 3.21, P=0.026). Borderline signification was observed in DHEAS (237.1 vs 218.6 μg/dl, P=0.063). There were no differences in HOMA-β, insulin, C-peptide, total cholesterol, LDL, cortisol, ACTH, androstendione, testosterone or SHBG. No correlation has been found between DHEAS and IS.

Discussion: The preliminary results of this ongoing study show that 6 months’ therapy with liraglutide significantly improves metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Changes of borderline signification in DHEAS were also found with this treatment.