A Critical Review of Icosapent Ethyl in Cardiovascular Risk Reduction.

Icosapent ethyl (IPE) was the first fish oil product the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in adults. IPE is an esterified version of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and acts as a prodrug in the body to exert its effects. IPE affects the body primarily through triglyceride (TG) reduction and was initially indicated for hypertriglyceridemia in addition to statin therapy or for patients with statin intolerances. Various studies have investigated this agent, and multiple subanalyses have been conducted since the FDA approval. These subanalyses have assessed factors such as sex, statin therapy, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (hs-CRP), and various inflammatory biomarkers in groups of patients taking IPE. This article aims to provide a critical review of the clinical data available regarding cardiovascular benefits of IPE in patients with ASCVD and its value as a treatment option for patients with elevated TG levels.

Imeglimin in type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease most often characterized by increased glucose levels. When blood glucose levels are inadequately controlled or left untreated, the result is a variety of microvascular and macrovascular complications. To prevent these outcomes, many medications are available to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus and prevent disease progression. However, most of the medications available to date only target a few of the physiological defects caused by diabetes and may come with side effects that make adherence to the medication improbable. Imeglimin, a medication currently under investigation in the United States and approved in Japan, is a novel, first-in-its-class medication with a mechanism that is currently understood to target multiple pathways to provide glycemic control. This review aims to present and discuss the current clinical and scientific evidence pertaining to imeglimin.

Efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness comparison between U-100 human regular insulin and rapid acting insulin when delivered by V-Go wearable insulin delivery device in type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: We compared the efficacy and safety of human regular insulin (HRI) versus rapid-acting insulin (RAI) in a type 2 diabetes population already using the V-Go insulin delivery device. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a 14-week, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, phase IV, non-inferiority study. Patients ≥21years of age, with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes who were currently using the V-Go insulin delivery system with RAI, with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5% (≥48 mmol/L) to ≤12.5% (≤108 mmol/L) were randomized 1:1 to RAI continuation or switch to HRI. The primary outcome was estimated treatment difference (ETD) in HbA1c least-squares mean change from baseline at 14 weeks (prespecified non-inferiority hypothesis with 95% CI upper limit <0.4%). Primary analysis was by per protocol (PP); safety analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: We randomized 136 patients to continued RAI treatment (n=67) or HRI (n=69); 113 patients were included in the PP analysis (RAI, n=54; HRI, n=59). Mean change in HbA1c from baseline to study end was -0.60±1.1% (95% CI -0.90 to -0.29); -6.6±12.0 mmol/mol (95% CI -9.8 to -3.2) with HRI treatment and -0.38±1.3% (95% CI -0.70 to -0.05); -4.2±14.2 mmol/mol (95% CI -7.7 to -0.5) with RAI treatment, with ETD of -0.22% (95% CI -0.67 to 0.22); -2.4 mmol/mol (95% CI -7.3 to 2.4), p=0.007, confirming non-inferiority of HRI to RAI. No between-group differences in changes in total daily insulin doses, number of hypoglycemic values (≤70 mg/dL (≤39 mmol/L) or body weight were observed. No severe hypoglycemic events were reported. Direct pharmacy cost savings (-US$265.85; 95% CI -US$288.60 to -US$243.11; p<0.0001) were observed with HRI treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with type 2 diabetes requiring insulin can be treated with V-Go wearable insulin delivery device using HRI, safely and effectively, and potentially at a much lower cost compared with RAI, which can lead to improved access to insulin therapy for these individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03495908.

The nitric oxide donor, (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DETA-NONOate/D-NO), increases survival by attenuating hyperoxia-compromised innate immunity in bacterial clearance in a mouse model of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Mechanical ventilation (MV) with supraphysiological levels of oxygen (hyperoxia) is a life-saving therapy for the management of patients with respiratory distress. However, a significant number of patients on MV develop ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Previously, we have reported that prolonged exposure to hyperoxia impairs the capacity of macrophages to phagocytize Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), which can contribute to the compromised innate immunity in VAP. In this study, we show that the high mortality rate in mice subjected to hyperoxia and PA infection was accompanied by a significant decrease in the airway levels of nitric oxide (NO). Decreased NO levels were found to be, in part, due to a significant reduction in NO release by macrophages upon exposure to PA lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Based on these findings, we postulated that NO supplementation should restore hyperoxia-compromised innate immunity and decrease mortality by increasing the clearance of PA under hyperoxic conditions. To test this hypothesis, cultured macrophages were exposed to hyperoxia (95% O2) in the presence or absence of the NO donor, (Z)-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (DETA-NONOate/D-NO). Interestingly, D-NO (up to 37.5 µM) significantly attenuated hyperoxia-compromised macrophage migratory, phagocytic, and bactericidal function. To determine whether the administration of exogenous NO enhances the host defense in bacteria clearance, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to hyperoxia (99% O2) and intranasally inoculated with PA in the presence or absence of D-NO. D-NO (300 µM-800 µM) significantly increased the survival of mice inoculated with PA under hyperoxic conditions, and significantly decreased bacterial loads in the lung and attenuated lung injury. These results suggest the NO donor, D-NO, can improve the clinical outcomes in VAP by augmenting the innate immunity in bacterial clearance. Thus, provided these results can be extrapolated to humans, NO supplementation may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating patients with VAP.

Randomized study comparing a Basal-bolus with a basal plus correction insulin regimen for the hospital management of medical and surgical patients with type 2 diabetes: basal plus trial.

OBJECTIVE: Effective and easily implemented insulin regimens are needed to facilitate hospital glycemic control in general medical and surgical patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This multicenter trial randomized 375 patients with T2D treated with diet, oral antidiabetic agents, or low-dose insulin (≤ 0.4 units/kg/day) to receive a basal-bolus regimen with glargine once daily and glulisine before meals, a basal plus regimen with glargine once daily and supplemental doses of glulisine, and sliding scale regular insulin (SSI). RESULTS: Improvement in mean daily blood glucose (BG) after the first day of therapy was similar between basal-bolus and basal plus groups (P = 0.16), and both regimens resulted in a lower mean daily BG than did SSI (P = 0.04). In addition, treatment with basal-bolus and basal plus regimens resulted in less treatment failure (defined as >2 consecutive BG >240 mg/dL or a mean daily BG >240 mg/dL) than did treatment with SSI (0 vs. 2 vs. 19%, respectively; P < 0.001). A BG <70 mg/dL occurred in 16% of patients in the basal-bolus group, 13% in the basal plus group, and 3% in the SSI group (P = 0.02). There was no difference among the groups in the frequency of severe hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL; P = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a basal plus regimen with glargine once daily plus corrective doses with glulisine insulin before meals resulted in glycemic control similar to a standard basal-bolus regimen. The basal plus approach is an effective alternative to the use of a basal-bolus regimen in general medical and surgical patients with T2D.

High Mobility Group Box-1 mediates hyperoxia-induced impairment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clearance and inflammatory lung injury in mice.

Mechanical ventilation with supraphysiological concentrations of oxygen (hyperoxia) is routinely used to treat patients with respiratory distress. However, a significant number of patients on ventilators exhibit enhanced susceptibility to infections and develop ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is one of the most common species of bacteria found in these patients. Previously, we demonstrated that prolonged exposure to hyperoxia can compromise the ability of alveolar macrophages (AMs), an essential part of the innate immunity, to phagocytose PA. This study sought to investigate the potential molecular mechanisms underlying hyperoxia-compromised innate immunity against bacterial infection in a murine model of PA pneumonia. Here, we show that exposure to hyperoxia (≥ 99% O2) led to a significant elevation in concentrations of airway high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and increased mortality in C57BL/6 mice infected with PA. Treatment of these mice with a neutralizing anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) resulted in a reduction in bacterial counts, injury, and numbers of neutrophils in the lungs, and an increase in leukocyte phagocytic activity compared with mice receiving control mAb. This improved phagocytic function was associated with reduced concentrations of airway HMGB1. The correlation between phagocytic activity and concentrations of extracellular HMGB1 was also observed in cultured macrophages. These results indicate a pathogenic role for HMGB1 in hyperoxia-induced impairment with regard to a host's ability to clear bacteria and inflammatory lung injury. Thus, HMGB1 may provide a novel molecular target for improving hyperoxia-compromised innate immunity in patients with VAP.

Hyperoxia sensing: from molecular mechanisms to significance in disease.

Oxygen therapy using mechanical ventilation with hyperoxia is necessary to treat patients with respiratory failure and distress. However, prolonged exposure to hyperoxia leads to the generation of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing cellular damage and multiple organ dysfunctions. As the lungs are directly exposed, hyperoxia can cause both acute and chronic inflammatory lung injury and compromise innate immunity. ROS may contribute to pulmonary oxygen toxicity by overwhelming redox homeostasis, altering signaling cascades that affect cell fate, ultimately leading to hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury (HALI). HALI is characterized by pronounced inflammatory responses with leukocyte infiltration, injury, and death of pulmonary cells, including epithelia, endothelia, and macrophages. Under hyperoxic conditions, ROS mediate both direct and indirect modulation of signaling molecules such as protein kinases, transcription factors, receptors, and pro- and anti-apoptotic factors. The focus of this review is to elaborate on hyperoxia-activated key sensing molecules and current understanding of their signaling mechanisms in HALI. A better understanding of the signaling pathways leading to HALI may provide valuable insights on its pathogenesis and may help in designing more effective therapeutic approaches.

A roadmap to the brittle bones of cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder which despite advances in medical care continues to be a life-limiting and often fatal disease. With increase in life expectancy of the CF population, bone disease has emerged as a common complication. Unlike the osteoporosis seen in postmenopausal population, bone disease in CF begins at a young age and is associated with significant morbidity due to fractures, kyphosis, increased pain, and decreased lung function. The maintenance of bone health is essential for the CF population during their lives to prevent pain and fractures but also as they approach lung transplantation since severe bone disease can lead to exclusion from lung transplantation. Early recognition, prevention, and treatment are key to maintaining optimal bone health in CF patients and often require a multidisciplinary approach. This article will review the pathophysiology, current clinical practice guidelines, and potential future therapies for treating CF-related bone disease.