The Effects of Exenatide and Metformin on Endothelial Function in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Case-Control Study.

Abstract

IntroductionExenatide is a new antidiabetic glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. In addition to its hypoglycemic effect, exenatide may have a potential protective benefit on vascular endothelial function. This study attempted to compare the effects of exenatide and traditional antidiabetic drug metformin treatment on endothelial function in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsNinety overweight patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were recruited; 45 patients received exenatide (Exe) treatment and 45 patients received metformin (Met) treatment for 12 weeks. The control groups included 37 overweight and 24 non-overweight individuals. The parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism and endothelial function were measured before and after treatment. Vascular endothelial dysfunction was measured by reactive hyperemia index.ResultsNewly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes had more serious vascular endothelial dysfunction than both overweight and normal-weight control groups. The levels of body mass index, glucose, HbA1c, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance, and homeostasis model assessment β-cell function were improved significantly by both exenatide and metformin treatment. Both exenatide and metformin treatment can improve vascular endothelial function (Exe group: 1.67 ± 0.52 vs 1.98 ± 0.67, P < 0.05; Met group: 1.68 ± 0.29 vs 1.82 ± 0.24, P < 0.05). Exenatide treatment was no less effective than metformin in improving endothelial function (0.31 ± 0.70 vs 0.13 ± 0.24, P > 0.05).ConclusionsNewly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes may have vascular endothelial dysfunction. Both exenatide and metformin treatment can improve vascular endothelial dysfunction, and exenatide was no less effective than metformin treatment.