title: Weight loss with liraglutide, a once-daily human glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue for type 2 diabetes treatment as monotherapy or added to metformin, is primarily as a result of a reduction in fat tissue.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effect on body composition of liraglutide, a once-daily human glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue, as monotherapy or added to metformin was examined in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
  
  
  METHODS
  These were randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trials of 26 [Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes-2 (LEAD-2)] and 52 weeks (LEAD-3). Patients with T2D, aged 18-80 years, body mass index (BMI) < or =40 kg/m(2) (LEAD-2), < or =45 kg/m(2) (LEAD-3) and HbA1c 7.0-11.0% were included. Patients were randomized to liraglutide 1.8, 1.2 or 0.6 mg/day, placebo or glimepiride 4 mg/day, all combined with metformin 1.5-2 g/day in LEAD-2 and to liraglutide 1.8, 1.2 or glimepiride 8 mg/day in LEAD-3. LEAD-2/3: total lean body tissue, fat tissue and fat percentage were measured. LEAD-2: adipose tissue area and hepatic steatosis were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LEAD-2: fat percentage with liraglutide 1.2 and 1.8 mg/metformin was significantly reduced vs. glimepiride/metformin (p < 0.05) but not vs. placebo. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue areas were reduced from baseline in all liraglutide/metformin arms. Except with liraglutide 0.6 mg/metformin, reductions were significantly different vs. changes seen with glimepiride (p < 0.05) but not with placebo. Liver-to-spleen attenuation ratio increased with liraglutide 1.8 mg/metformin possibly indicating reduced hepatic steatosis. LEAD-3: reductions in fat mass and fat percentage with liraglutide monotherapy were significantly different vs. increases with glimepiride (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liraglutide (monotherapy or added to metformin) significantly reduced fat mass and fat percentage vs. glimepiride in patients with T2D.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden. Johan.Jendle@liv.se
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jendle
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nauck
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frid
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hermansen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Düring
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zdravkovic
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Garber
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069450:Liraglutide; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000069450:Liraglutide; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; C057619:glimepiride