Asploro Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Case Reports
ISSN: 2582-0370
Article Type: Case Report
DOI: 10.36502/2023/ASJBCCR.6322
Asp Biomed Clin Case Rep. 2023 Sept 9;6(3):233-40
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) Case with Digestive and Cardiovascular Disorders Treated by EquMet and Twymeeg
Naoki Kondo1, Hiroshi Bando1,2,3iD*, Masaki Okada1, Noboru Iwatsuki1, Tomoya Ogawa1, Kazuki Sakamoto1
1Sakamoto Hospital, Higashi Kagawa city, Kagawa, Japan
2Medical Research/Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
3Japan Low Carbohydrate Diet Promotion Association (JLCDPA), Kyoto, Japan
Corresponding Author: Hiroshi BANDO, MD, PhD, FACP ORCID iD
Address: Tokushima University /Medical Research, Nakashowa 1-61, Tokushima 770-0943, Japan.
Received date: 20 August 2023; Accepted date: 02 September 2023; Published date: 09 September 2023
Citation: Kondo N, Bando H, Okada M, Iwatsuki N, Ogawa T, Sakamoto K. Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) Case with Digestive and Cardiovascular Disorders Treated by EquMet and Twymeeg. Asp Biomed Clin Case Rep. 2023 Sept 9;6(3):233-40.
Copyright © 2023 Kondo N, Bando H, Okada M, Iwatsuki N, Ogawa T, Sakamoto K. This is an open-access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords: Diabetic Gastroenteropathy, Magnesium Oxide/Picosulfate, Twymeeg, Plethysmography, Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index
Abbreviations: CAVI: Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index
Abstract
This case involves a 76-year-old female patient with type 2 diabetes (T2D), diabetic gastroenteropathy, and slight arteriosclerosis. Her HbA1c levels have been unstable for years due to her typical carbohydrate intake. Her symptoms include constipation, nausea, and abdominal fullness. Despite being on magnesium oxide and picosulfate, she experiences difficulty achieving smooth bowel movements for an extended period.
In March 2023, her HbA1c levels increased to 8.5%. Subsequently, EquMet and Twymeeg were initiated, resulting in remarkable clinical effects, with her HbA1c dropping to 5.9% by August 2023. A Holter ECG recorded ventricular premature contractions (VPC) occurring 10 times (0.010%) over a 24-hour period. Additionally, plethysmography indicated a cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) of 9.5/9.3, suggesting slight arteriosclerosis.
Introduction
Diabetes has emerged as one of the crucial diseases in contemporary society worldwide [1]. It gives rise to various complications including macroangiopathy and microangiopathy. Among these, diabetic neuropathy (DN) stands out as the most common complication [2]. DN presents in two forms: i) sensory/motor neuropathy, manifesting as a common symmetric polyneuropathy in the hands and feet, and ii) autonomic neuropathy affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, cardiovascular (CV) system, and urogenital organs.
Diabetic gastroenteropathy constitutes one of the most prevalent complications among those suffering from prolonged diabetes [3]. It is frequently observed in cases of diabetes characterized by poor glucose control and various other complications [4]. Symptoms encompass nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, fecal incontinence, and irregular episodes of constipation and diarrhea. With the escalating number of diabetic patients, the management of these complications not only involves alleviating the primary symptoms but also achieving better glycemic control.
Of the multitude of diabetic symptoms, constipation emerges as a significant complication of both diabetic gastroenteropathy and diabetic microangiopathy. As the diabetic population ages, greater research emphasis is required to address GI tract issues in diabetic therapy [5]. Individuals with constipation often develop irregular eating habits due to abdominal discomfort, which can exacerbate glucose control and amplify various GI tract symptoms.
Conversely, diabetes brings about complications related to macroangiopathy. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs) frequently manifest and progress in individuals with long-standing diabetes. ASCVD encompasses conditions such as cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Over years, post-prandial hyperglycemia (PPH) contributes to the development and exacerbation of macroangiopathy. In the pursuit of managing hyperglycemia, low carbohydrate diet (LCD) has demonstrated effectiveness [6]. The concept of LCD was pioneered by Atkins and Bernstein in Europe and North America, gaining worldwide prevalence [7,8]. In Japan, the Japan LCD Promotion Association (JLCDPA) was established by certain authors and their associates, fostering the medical and social advancement of LCD [9].
In terms of diabetes pharmacotherapy, novel oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) have been recently introduced, showcasing their clinical efficacy [10]. These include sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), and glucagon-like-peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA). Additionally, imeglimin (Twymeeg) has garnered attention for its unique mechanism involving the mitochondrial pathway [11]. Its action involves heightened insulin secretion and diminished insulin resistance [12]. Authors and their collaborators have undertaken extensive clinical research in the field of diabetes over a prolonged period [13]. Our team has encountered an intriguing diabetic case featuring several distinctive aspects. This report will outline the general status and offer some perspectives on the matter.
Case Presentation
Medical History:
The patient in this case is a 76-year-old female with type 2 diabetes (T2D), diabetic gastrointestinal issues, and cardiovascular complications spanning several years. She was diagnosed with T2D approximately 8 years ago and had been prescribed oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) at another medical clinic. Starting from 2019, she began receiving general treatments at our hospital (refer to Fig-1). Her HbA1c levels exhibited erratic fluctuations ranging from 7% to 8%, and she consistently experienced gastrointestinal problems including constipation, abdominal fullness, nausea, and loss of appetite. Despite taking significant amounts of magnesium oxide and picosulfate, she faced challenges in achieving regular bowel movements. By March 2023, her HbA1c had risen to 8.5%, leading to a change in her OHAs regimen from sitagliptin/metformin to EquMet (Equa and Metformin) (see Fig-1).
Fig-1: Clinical Progress of HbA1c and Treatment
Physical Examination and Tests:
The physical examination revealed the following: vital signs were BP 128/80 mmHg, pulse 68/min, and SpO2 98%. The patient’s consciousness and speech were within normal ranges. No significant abnormalities were noted during the examination of the lungs, heart, abdomen, or neurological system. The patient’s measurements included a height of 155 cm, body weight of 57.3 kg, and a BMI of 23.9 kg/m².
As of January 2023, the biochemical test results were as follows: TP 7.2 g/dL, Alb 4.2 g/dL, AST 29 U/L, ALT 37 U/L, r-GT 32 U/L, ChE 72 U/L (30-200), uric acid 4.3 mg/dL, BUN 21 mg/dL, Cre 0.58 mg/dL, eGFR 74.8 mL/ml/1.73m², Na 143 mEq/L, Cl 102 mEq/L, K 3.9 mEq/L, amylase 70 U/L (37-125), LDL 112 mg/dL, HDL 71 mg/dL, TG 68 mg/dL, T-Cho 197 mg/dL, RBC 5.12 x10⁶ /μL, Hb 15.0 g/dL, Hct 46.1%, MCV 89.9 fL (80-98), MCH 29.3 pg (27-33), MCHC 32.6 g/dL (31-36), WBC 5600/μL, Plt 21.6 x 10⁴ /μL, CRP 0.09 mg/dL.
A chest X-ray showed unremarkable findings. The electrocardiogram (ECG) displayed a pulse rate of 72/min, a normal axis, and a sinus rhythm with occasional single ventricular premature contractions (VPCs). On a Holter ECG exam, VPCs were observed 10 times over 24 hours, which accounted for 0.010% of the total 100,902 beats during that period. The ST trend analysis showed an average ST level of -0.01 mV, with a minimum ST value of -0.11 mV/sec and a maximum ST value of +1.0 mV/sec (Fig-2). These results indicated no significant findings related to ischemic heart disease (IHD) or arrhythmia issues.
Fig-2: Finding of ST Trend in Holter ECG
In January 2023, plethysmography was conducted, yielding the following results: ABI 1.16/1.12, CAVI 9.5/9.3, along with detailed data including PEP 83, ET 326, R-AI 0.98, and PEP/ET 0.26 (refer to Fig-3). These findings indicated unremarkable results in the plethysmography assessment.
Fig-3: The Findings of Plethysmography
Clinical Progress
In March 2023, the patient’s treatment was initiated with EquMet (Vildagliptin/Metformin), followed by the addition of Twymeeg (imeglimin). Through this combined therapeutic approach, a significant reduction in HbA1c levels was achieved, reaching 5.9% by August 2023. Throughout this treatment period, no notable adverse effects on the gastrointestinal axis were observed (refer to Fig-1).
Ethical Considerations
The patient’s participation in this study adhered to the ethical guidelines set forth in the Helsinki Declaration. Additionally, several principles outlined in the fundamental regulations were taken into account. These principles encompass ethical considerations related to both clinical practice and research methodologies. Given the presence of clinical implications for human subjects, the official guidelines established by the Japanese Ministries (specifically the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology) were followed.
The authors and collaborating researchers established an ethical committee based at Sakamoto Hospital in Higashi-Kagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. This committee included various medical professionals, such as the hospital president, attending physician, pharmacist, head nurse, and legal experts. These team members engaged in thorough discussions to formulate an appropriate protocol and collectively agreed upon its details. Furthermore, informed consent was obtained from the patient through a documented process that aligned with the current case’s requirements.
Discussion
The current case has highlighted certain characteristic points in the context of diabetic complications. These points include:
i) prolonged unsatisfactory glucose control,
ii) diabetic gastroenteropathy associated with various GI tract symptoms, such as nausea, constipation, abdominal pain, fecal incontinence, and others,
iii) the presence of ASCVD as diabetic macroangiopathy, and
iv) the effectiveness of novel oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) like EquMet and Twymeeg.
Several perspectives are outlined in this discussion.
First, this case has a preference for carbohydrate-rich meals such as bread, rice, and cakes. This is the main reason for the unsatisfactory control of blood glucose. When carbohydrates are ingested, blood glucose levels tend to rise for various individuals [14]. For the intake of 1g of carbohydrate, the increase in blood glucose levels would be around 1mg/dL for normal subjects, 3mg/dL for T2D, and 5 mg/dL for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Our diabetic team has proposed convenient LCD methods [9], namely super-LCD, standard-LCD, and petite-LCD, which contain carbohydrate amounts of 12%, 26%, and 40% of the calorie ratio, respectively [15].
Second, this case has been dealing with diabetic gastroenteropathy for an extended period, particularly focusing on constipation. She has been using magnesium citrate and picosulfate for years [16]; however, they did not exhibit sufficient clinical efficacy [17]. Several factors contribute to the development of diabetic gastroenteropathy. These factors include hyperglycemia, a large mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), vagal dysfunction, oxidative stress, decreased expression of neural nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and others. Among diabetic patients, about 70% experience more GI discomfort compared to individuals without diabetes, and 25% of diabetic cases have previously reported experiencing GI tract symptoms. Diabetic enteropathy can affect the entire GI tract, with constipation observed in 60% of cases and diarrhea in 20% [18].
Third, the current case showed potential influences of arteriosclerosis in Holter ECG and plethysmography examinations. The values of Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI) are utilized for evaluating arteriosclerosis and are influenced by certain exacerbating factors [19]. These factors include blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and LDL cholesterol levels [20]. Consequently, arterial stiffness is assessed using pulse wave velocity (PWV) [21]. The Arterial Stiffness Index (ASI) has recently gained attention for quantifying the degree of arteriosclerosis. ASI has been shown to predict the worsening of systolic hypertension with an odds ratio of 1.30 [20]. Additionally, the LDL cholesterol value in the lipid profile might contribute to arterial stiffness and impact carotid intima-media thickness results [22].
Fourth, this case was treated with both EquMet and Twymeeg, both of which appeared to be effective. Regarding the clinical effects of EquMet, the VERIFY study reported international project findings [23]. Medical efficacy was evaluated in comparison with metformin monotherapy and combined vildagliptin/metformin treatment. Among cases over 40 years old, add-on treatment demonstrated a 46% decrease in the risk of cardiovascular events [24]. Furthermore, Twymeeg exhibited a significant reduction in HbA1c levels with notable clinical efficacy. Findings from the international investigation “Trials of IMeglimin for Efficacy and Safety (TIMES) 1, 2, and 3” included assessments of both monotherapy and combination treatments [25]. The combined effects revealed a reduction of -0.67% for biguanides and -0.92% for DPP4 inhibitors [26]. Imeglimin operates through an impressive novel mechanism involving the mitochondrial route [27].
There may be certain limitations in this report. While the clinical efficacy in decreasing HbA1c levels primarily resulted from Twymeeg, other factors also played a combined role. This case involves multiple elements, warranting close follow-up and attention.
In summary, this report discusses a 76-year-old female with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), digestive issues, and signs of arteriosclerosis. Notably, she experienced a significant reduction in HbA1c levels with Twymeeg. It is hoped that this report will provide valuable data for future research in the field of diabetes.
Conflict of Interest
The authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding
There was no funding received for this paper.
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