title: The use of exenatide in severely burned pediatric patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intensive insulin treatment (IIT) has been shown to improve outcomes post-burn in severely burnt patients. However, it increases the incidence of hypoglycemia and is associated with risks and complications. We hypothesized that exenatide would decrease plasma glucose levels post-burn to levels similar to those achieved with IIT, and reduce the amount of exogenous insulin administered.
  
  
  METHODS
  This open-label study included 24 severely burned pediatric patients. Six were randomized to receive exenatide, and 18 received IIT during acute hospitalization (block randomization). Exenatide and insulin were administered to maintain glucose levels between 80 and 140 mg/dl. We determined 6 AM, daily average, maximum and minimum glucose levels. Variability was determined using mean amplitude of glucose excursions (MAGE) and percentage of coefficient of variability. The amount of administered insulin was compared in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glucose values and variability were similar in both groups: Daily average was 130 ± 28 mg/dl in the intervention group and 138 ± 25 mg/dl in the control group (P = 0.31), MAGE 41 ± 6 vs. 45 ± 12 (respectively). However, administered insulin was significantly lower in the exenatide group than in the IIT group: 22 ± 14 IU patients/day in the intervention group and 76 ± 11 IU patients/day in the control group (P = 0.01). The incidence rate of hypoglycemia was similar in both groups (0.38 events/patient-month).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients receiving exenatide received significantly lower amounts of exogenous insulin to control plasma glucose levels. Exenatide was well tolerated and potentially represents a novel agent to attenuate hyperglycemia in the critical care setting.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT00673309.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, Texas 77555, USA.
authors.forename: Gabriel A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Mecott
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Herndon
authors.forename: Gabriela A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Kulp
authors.forename: Natasha C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Al-Mousawi
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kraft
authors.forename: Haidy G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Rivero
authors.forename: Felicia N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Ludwik K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Branski
authors.forename: Marc G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Jeschke
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D000077270:Exenatide; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014688:Venoms / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010455:Peptides; D014688:Venoms; D000077270:Exenatide