Impact of Sitagliptin on Markers of β-cell Function: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundProgressive β-cell dysfunction and β-cell failure are fundamental pathogenic consequences of type 2 diabetes. Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors may exhibit improvement on preclinical measures of both β-cell function, homeostasis model assessment of β-cell (HOMA-β) index, and β-cell dysfunction, proinsulin/insulin ratio (PI/IR), correlating to β-cell survival. Research Design and MethodsA systematic literature search through July 2008 was conducted to extract a consensus of randomized, controlled trials of sitagliptin therapy on measures of β-cell function. A random-effects model meta-analysis evaluated effects on HOMA-β and PI/IR versus placebo. Several subgroup analyses, including active control, were conducted. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) randomized trials on sitagliptin; (2) placebo or active control; and (3) data reported on HOMA-β or PI/IR. ResultsA total of 11 trials (n=3039) reported effects on HOMA-β and 8 trials (n=2325) on PI/IR versus placebo. Four trials (n=1425) were included in the active control subgroup analysis. Sitagliptin significantly improved HOMA-β index by 12.03% [95% confidence interval (CI), 9.45-14.60] versus placebo. Sitagliptin also significantly decreased PI/IR −0.06 (95% CI, −0.08 to −0.04). Sitagliptin was inferior to active control for HOMA-β index [5.64% (95% CI, 0.38-10.90)], but not different in terms of PI/IR [0.01 (95% CI, −0.04 to 0.06)]. ConclusionsDespite significant improvement in HOMA-β index and PI/IR from placebo, there does not seem to be a benefit of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors over other agents with respect to β-cell function/activity. Long-term prevention of β-cell dysfunction cannot be ruled out.