The findings from the study, part of a larger, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial conducted over 14 weeks, specifically showed that liraglutide increased the maximum capacity of beta cells to secrete insulin. In addition, insulin secretion was increased in the so-called “first phase” insulin response, which is typically diminished in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The larger trial showed that liraglutide reduced levels of A1C, the primary endpoint and a measure of a person’s average blood glucose level over the past two to three months. Additionally, participants on the highest dose of liraglutide lost significantly more weight than did those on placebo by the end of the 14-week study.
“We are excited by these results as they demonstrate that liraglutide monotherapy significantly improves blood glucose control without risk of major or minor hypoglycemia, is well tolerated, lowers body weight and may help improve the body’s ability to produce insulin,” said study investigator Dr Sten Madsbad from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.