Ertugliflozin: a novel anti-diabetic drug

Diabetes Mellitus is a disorder of global proportion. Despite various treatment modalities presently being available, yet the desired glycaemic control and patient outcomes have not been achieved completely. Sodium glucose co-transporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) are one such promising group of emerging drugs in diabetes treatment. Ertugliflozin prevents the reabsorption of glucose by inhibiting sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) at proximal convoluted tubules. Ertugliflozin is available as 5mg and 15mg tablets. Ertugliflozin has been related to genital mycotic infections and urinary tract infections. Benefits of Ertugliflozin include better control on blood glucose, body weight and blood pressure.

Netarsudil: a novel intra-ocular pressure lowering agent

Optic disc health is an important indicator of visual functions. The first line of management to prevent/halt the damage to optic disc is to control responsible pathological condition, if identified. In absence of identifiable cause, the most validated approach is lowering of intra-ocular pressure (IOP). Individually, as well as combinations of currently available drugs are not fully effective in all patients of glaucoma in achieving desired IOP control. Hence, there is a need of newer alternatives which address this unmet need. Recently, a newer IOP lowering agent with a novel mechanism of action, netarsudil, has been approved by United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) in December 2017. Netarsudil acts by inhibiting Rho-associated protein kinase resulting in lowering of overall tone of the contractible cells in trabecular meshwork thereby improving drainage of aqueous humor outflow and lowering of IOP. Though in its early days, this drug gives an armamentarium to ophthalmologists and physicians to control IOP in patients of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Leptin in non PCOS and PCOS women: a comparative study.

Background: Leptin, a hormone secreted by adipose tissues, controls body weight through regulation of appetite and thermogenesis. The present study was aimed to observe role of leptin in healthy and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women. Methods: Correlation between serum leptin and anthropometric, endocrine and metabolic profile was studied in 30 apparently healthy women (control group) and 38 PCOS women (PCOS group). Each group was stratified based on body mass Index (BMI), as normal weight (BMI<23) and overweight/obese (BMI>23). Results Leptin level was high in 30% control group and in 65.79% PCOS group. Mean leptin (ng/ml) in PCOS group was higher compared to control group (18±1.9 v/s 12±1.7, p<0.05). Mean leptin levels were higher in overweight/obese subgroup as compared to normal weight subgroup in both Control (p<0.05) and PCOS groups (p=<0.05). In control group, leptin showed positive correlation with waist circumference (WC) (r=-0.49, p<0.01) and negative correlation with Cholesterol: HDL ratio (p<0.05). In PCOS group, leptin showed positive correlation with BMI (r=0.377,p<0.05) and Triglyceride (r=0.34,<0.05) and negative correlation with Fasting Blood Glucose( FBG)(r=-0.33,p<0.05). In normal weight subgroup among control group (n=25), leptin showed positive correlation with LDL (r=0.49, p<0.05). In control overweight/obese subgroup (n=5), leptin showed positive correlation with Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) (r=+1.0, p<0.05) and inverse correlation with testosterone(r=-1.0,p<0.05). In normal weight subgroup among PCOS group, leptin had a positive correlation with LDL: HDL ratio (r=0.488, p<0.05). Conclusions: Hyperleptinemia is common in obesity. Leptin controls glycemic status in patients with IR. Correlation of leptin with FSH and testosterone is influenced by obesity and PCOS. Leptin regulation of lipid homeostasis is influenced by obesity or PCOS.