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Hereditary central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a genetic disorder characterized by polydipsia and polyuria. Most known mutations are located in the arginine-vasopressin (AVP) gene. Here, we describe a Swiss family with an autosomal dominant mutation in the AVP gene region encoding for the carrier protein neurophysin II (P55R). In addition, we discuss the algorithm for diagnosing and treating patients with hereditary CDI based on this Swiss family.

Objective People who are severely obese due to melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) deficiency experience hyperphagia and impaired fullness after a meal (satiety). Meal-induced satiety is influenced by hormones, such as peptide-YY (PYY), which are released by enteroendocrine cells upon nutrient delivery to the small intestine. Design We investigated whether gastric emptying and PYY levels are altered in MC4R deficiency. Methods Gastric emptying was measured with a gastric scintigraphy protocol using technetium-99m (99 Tcm )-Tin Colloid for 3.5 h in individuals with loss of function MC4R variants and a control group of similar age and weight. In a separate study, we measured plasma PYY levels before and at multiple time points after three standardised meals given to individuals with MC4R deficiency and controls. Fasting PYY (basal secretion) and postprandial PYY levels were measured and the area under the curve and inter-meal peak were calculated. Results We found that gastric emptying time was significantly delayed and percentage meal retention increased in individuals with MC4R deficiency compared to obese controls. In addition, fasting and mean PYY secretion throughout the day were decreased in MC4R deficiency, whereas postprandial PYY secretion was unaltered. Conclusion Delayed gastric emptying and reduced basal PYY secretion may contribute to impaired satiety in people with obesity due to MC4R deficiency.

Human obesity is associated with decreased circulating adiponectin and elevated leptin levels. In vitro experiments and studies in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice suggest that interleukin-6 (IL-6) may regulate adiponectin and leptin release from white adipose tissue (WAT). Herein, we aimed to investigate whether IL-6 receptor blockade affects the levels of circulating adiponectin and leptin in obese human individuals. To this end, serum samples collected during a multicenter, double-blind clinical trial were analyzed. In the latter study, obese human subjects with or without type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to recurrent placebo or intravenous tocilizumab (an IL-6 receptor antibody) administration during a 12-week exercise training intervention. Twelve weeks of tocilizumab administration (in combination with exercise training) trend wise enhanced the decrease in circulating leptin levels (−2.7 ± 8.2% in the placebo vs. −20.6 ± 5.6% in tocilizumab, p = 0.08) and significantly enhanced the increase in circulating adiponectin (3.4 ± 3.7% in the placebo vs. 27.0 ± 6.6% in tocilizumab, p = 0.01). In addition, circulating adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), indicating that increased adiponectin levels positively affect insulin sensitivity in people with obesity. In conclusion, IL-6 receptor blockade increases circulating adiponectin levels in people with obesity.

IntroductionThe widespread prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) not only influences patients’ daily lives but also has an economic impact on society. Increasing physical activity and a healthy diet can delay the progression of T2D. Although there are evidence-based recommendations on diet and physical activity, patients with T2D have difficulties implementing them. An appropriate lifestyle intervention can address this problem.Methods and analysisThis study is based on the need to develop an intervention that helps patients to establish behavioural changes in order to achieve glycaemic control. The intervention will be evaluated in a monocentric, open-label, pragmatic, two-arm randomised controlled trial with a sample ratio of 1:1 and a parallel design. This superiority study will be conducted in Switzerland. All enrolled patients (n=90) will receive the standard medical treatment for T2D. The intervention group will receive personal health coaching by telephone and access to a smartphone and web application for 1 year. The control group will receive access to the application for 1 year and a one-time written diet and exercise recommendation. The primary outcomes are objectively measured physical activity and glycated haemoglobin. Secondary outcomes are self-reported physical activity, nutrition, cognitive mediators of changes in sport-related behaviour, blood values, medication and nutritional supplements, anthropometric data, quality of life, neuropathy and cost-effectiveness. All outcomes will be measured at baseline, at 27 weeks after inclusion and at 54 weeks after inclusion. The recruitment of participants and the measurements will be completed after 2 years. Linear mixed-effects models will be applied for each outcome variable to analyse the intervention effects.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved by the Ethics Committee North-western and Central Switzerland in February 2021 (ref: 2020-02755). All participants will be required to provide written informed consent. The results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberISRCTN79457541.

IL-6 is a cytokine with various effects on metabolism. In mice, IL-6 improved beta cell function and glucose homeostasis via upregulation of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and IL-6 release from muscle during exercise potentiated this beneficial increase in GLP-1. This study aimed to identify whether exercise-induced IL-6 has a similar effect in humans. In a multicentre, double-blind clinical trial, we randomly assigned patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity to intravenous tocilizumab (an IL-6 receptor antagonist) 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks, oral sitagliptin (a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor) 100 mg daily or double placebos (a placebo saline infusion every 4 weeks and a placebo pill once daily) during a 12 week training intervention. The primary endpoints were the difference in change of active GLP-1 response to an acute exercise bout and change in the AUC for the concentration–time curve of active GLP-1 during mixed meal tolerance tests at baseline and after the training intervention. Nineteen patients were allocated to tocilizumab, 17 to sitagliptin and 16 to placebos. During the acute exercise bout active GLP-1 levels were 26% lower with tocilizumab (multiplicative effect: 0.74 [95% CI 0.56, 0.98], p = 0.034) and 53% higher with sitagliptin (1.53 [1.15, 2.03], p = 0.004) compared with placebo. After the 12 week training intervention, the active GLP-1 AUC with sitagliptin was about twofold that with placebo (2.03 [1.56, 2.62]; p

Background: Primary aldosteronism, characterized by inappropriately high and relatively autonomous aldosterone production, is one of the most frequent causes of secondary hypertension. In most cases, primary aldosteronism results from unilateral or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and aldosterone-producing adenoma. Depending on the subtype, patient characteristics and preference, treatment comprises unilateral adrenalectomy or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. However, these treatments are not always well tolerated or suitable. Histological studies have shown up-regulation of mTOR activity in the adrenal cortex of primary aldosteronism patients and mTORC1 inhibition decreases aldosterone production in adrenocortical cells. Consistently, we found that treatment of mice with the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin decreased plasma aldosterone levels without affecting other adrenal steroid hormones. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the mTORC1-inhibitor everolimus as an aldosterone-lowering drug in patients with primary aldosteronism. Methods: In this open-label, proof-of-concept study, we measured plasma aldosterone levels after a standardized, recumbent saline infusion test in 12 primary aldosteronism patients at baseline, following a two-week everolimus treatment (0.75mg twice daily) and after a two-week washout period. To investigate whether everolimus affects other steroid hormone levels, we measured steroid hormone metabolites in a 24-hour urine collected before each saline infusion test. Results: Median post-infusion plasma aldosterone levels after treatment did not differ significantly from baseline (386 pmol/l, IQR 248-495 vs. 312 pmol/l, IQR 245-426; p = 0.677). However, a marked decrease in aldosterone levels after treatment was observed in four subjects. Their aldosterone levels returned to baseline values after the washout period. This pattern was mirrored by changes in urinary aldosterone/creatinine and tetrahydroaldosterone/creatinine ratios, suggesting that the observed effect was treatment-related. No consistent changes were detected for other steroid metabolites. Conclusion: This is a first in human study on the treatment of primary aldosteronism with the mTORC1 inhibitor everolimus. Overall, we observed a numerical reduction in aldosterone levels after a 2-week treatment which did not reach statistical significance. However, 4 patients appeared to respond to treatment. Further studies with a larger patient cohort are required to further elucidate the effects of mTORC1 inhibitors in primary aldosteronism and to characterize the differences between potential responders and non-responders.

Background Increasing evidence points to beta‐cell regeneration in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM) at all stages of the disease. Exercise and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) independently improve beta‐cell function and glucose homeostasis in animal studies and in clinical trials in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM). Whether a combination of both, exercise and GLP‐1, induces a similar effect in individuals with long‐lasting type 1 DM remains to be investigated. Methods In an open‐label study, participants with long‐standing type 1 DM were randomly assigned to oral sitagliptin 100 mg daily for 12 weeks in combination with or without an exercise intervention. The primary end‐point was change in the area under the concentration‐time curve of C‐peptide during a mixed meal tolerance test before and after 12 weeks of intervention. Results A total of 24 participants were included in the study and treated with sitagliptin, 12 participants were allocated to a 12‐week exercise intervention. After 12 weeks, there was no difference in the change of AUC C‐peptide between groups (exercise: 0 [−1424 to 1870], no exercise: 2091 [283‐17 434]; P = 0.09). HDL improved in the exercise intervention group compared to the group with sitagliptin only (exercise: 0.11 [−0.09 to 0.27]; no exercise: −0.18 [−0.24 to 0.01]; P = 0.04). AUC glucose was numerically slightly lower in the exercise intervention group but this did not translate into changes in HbA1c. Conclusion The combination of exercise and sitagliptin had no effect on beta‐cell function in individuals with long‐lasting type 1 DM.

Context Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity is often increased in the adrenal cortex of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), and mTORC1 inhibition decreases aldosterone production in adrenocortical cells, suggesting the mTORC1 pathway as a target for treatment of PA. Objective To investigate the effect of mTORC1 inhibition on adrenal steroid hormones and hemodynamic parameters in mice and in patients with PA. Design (i) Plasma aldosterone, corticosterone, and angiotensin II (Ang II) were measured in mice treated for 24 hours with vehicle or rapamycin. (ii) Plasma aldosterone levels after a saline infusion test, plasma renin, and 24-hour urine steroid hormone metabolome and hemodynamic parameters were measured during an open-label study in 12 patients with PA, before and after 2 weeks of treatment with everolimus and after a 2-week washout. Main Outcome Measures (i) Change in plasma aldosterone levels. (ii) Change in other steroid hormones, renin, Ang II, and hemodynamic parameters. Results Treatment of mice with rapamycin significantly decreased plasma aldosterone levels (P = 0.007). Overall, treatment of PA patients with everolimus significantly decreased blood pressure (P < 0.05) and increased renin levels (P = 0.001) but did not decrease aldosterone levels significantly. However, prominent reduction of aldosterone levels upon everolimus treatment was observed in four patients. Conclusion In mice, mTORC1 inhibition was associated with reduced plasma aldosterone levels. In patients with PA, mTORC1 inhibition was associated with improved blood pressure and renin suppression. In addition, mTORC1 inhibition appeared to reduce plasma aldosterone in a subset of patients.

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a key cytokine involved in inflammatory illnesses including rare hereditary diseases and common chronic inflammatory conditions as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, suggesting reduction of IL-1β activity as new treatment strategy. The objective of our study was to assess safety, antibody response, and preliminary efficacy of a novel vaccine against IL-1β. The vaccine hIL1bQb consisting of full-length, recombinant IL-1β coupled to virus-like particles was tested in a preclinical and clinical, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in patients with type 2 diabetes. The preclinical simian study showed prompt induction of IL-1β-specific antibodies upon vaccination, while neutralizing antibodies appeared with delay. In the clinical study with 48 type 2 diabetic patients, neutralizing IL-1β-specific antibody responses were detectable after six injections with doses of 900 µg. The development of neutralizing antibodies was associated with higher number of study drug injections, lower baseline body mass index, improvement of glycemia, and C-reactive protein (CRP). The vaccine hIL1bQb was safe and well-tolerated with no differences regarding adverse events between patients receiving hIL1bQb compared to placebo. This is the first description of a vaccine against IL-1β and represents a new treatment option for IL-1β-dependent diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00924105).

BACKGROUND. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from loss of immune regulation, leading to the development of autoimmunity to pancreatic β cells, involving autoreactive T effector cells (Teffs). Tregs, which prevent autoimmunity, require IL-2 for maintenance of immunosuppressive functions. Using a response-adaptive design, we aimed to determine the optimal regimen of aldesleukin (recombinant human IL-2) to physiologically enhance Tregs while limiting expansion of Teffs. METHODS. DILfrequency is a nonrandomized, open-label, response-adaptive study of participants, aged 18–70 years, with T1D. The initial learning phase allocated 12 participants to 6 different predefined regimens. Then, 3 cohorts of 8 participants were sequentially allocated dose frequencies, based on repeated interim analyses of all accumulated trial data. The coprimary endpoints were percentage change in Tregs and Teffs and CD25 (α subunit of the IL-2 receptor) expression by Tregs, from baseline to steady state. RESULTS. Thirty-eight participants were enrolled, with thirty-six completing treatment. The optimal regimen to maintain a steady-state increase in Tregs of 30% and CD25 expression of 25% without Teff expansion is 0.26 × 106 IU/m2 (95% CI –0.007 to 0.485) every 3 days. Tregs and CD25 were dose-frequency responsive, Teffs were not. The commonest adverse event was injection site reaction (464 of 694 events). CONCLUSIONS. Using a response-adaptive design, aldesleukin treatment can be optimized. Our methodology can generally be employed to immediately access proof of mechanism, thereby leading to more efficient and safe drug development. TRIAL REGISTRATION. International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register, ISRCTN40319192; ClinicalTrials.gov, {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02265809","term_id":"NCT02265809"}}NCT02265809. FUNDING. Sir Jules Thorn Trust, the Swiss National Science Foundation, Wellcome, JDRF, and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.

SummaryBackgroundType 1 diabetes (T1D) results from loss of immune regulation leading to the development of autoimmunity to pancreatic beta-cells, involving autoreactive T effector cells (Teffs). Regulatory T cells (Tregs), that prevent autoimmunity, require Interleukin-2 (IL-2) for maintenance of immunosuppressive functions and, alterations in the IL-2 pathway predispose to T1D. Using an adaptive trial design we aimed to determine the optimal regimen of aldesleukin (recombinant human IL-2) to physiologically enhance Tregs while limiting expansion of autoreactive Teffs.MethodsDILfrequency is a single-center, non-randomised, open-label, response-adaptive study of participants aged 18 to 70 years with T1D. The initial learning phase allocated 12 participants to six different predefined dose-frequency regimens. Then, three cohorts of 8 participants were sequentially allocated dose-frequencies, based on repeated interim analyses of all accumulated trial data. The co-primary endpoints were percentage change in Tregs, Teffs and, CD25 (α subunit of the IL-2 receptor) expression by Tregs, from baseline to steady state. Trial registration ISRCTN40319192 and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02265809).Findings115 participants were assessed between November 17th 2014 and May 22nd 2016, 38 participants were enrolled with 36 completing treatment. The optimal regimen to maintain a steady state increase in Tregs of 30% and CD25 expression of 25% without Teff expansion is 0.26 × 106 IU/m2 (95% CI (−0.007 to 0.485)) every 3 days (1.3 to 4.4). Tregs and CD25 were dose-frequency responsive, while Teffs were not. The commonest adverse event was injection site reaction (464/694 events), with a single participant developing transient eosinophilia at the highest dose (0.47 × 106 IU/m2).InterpretationThis response-adaptive trial defined a well-tolerated aldesleukin regimen that specifically induces Treg expansion that can now be trialled to treat T1D.FundingSir Jules Thorn Trust, Wellcome, JDRF, SNSF, NIHR

Objectives Patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment are prone to develop metabolic complications. In preclinical studies, metformin prevented the development of the metabolic syndrome during glucocorticoid excess. We herein investigated the metabolic effect of metformin during glucocorticoid treatment in non-diabetic patients. Methods In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients starting glucocorticoid treatment (prednisone, prednisolone or methylprednisolone) for four weeks were randomised to concomitantly receive metformin (850 mg once daily for one week followed by 850 mg twice daily for three weeks) or placebo. All patients underwent a standardised oral glucose tolerance test at baseline and after four weeks. The primary endpoint was change in the 2-h area under the curve (AUC) of glucose during the oral glucose tolerance test between baseline and four weeks. Results 29 of 34 randomised non-diabetic patients completed the trial (17 metformin and 12 placebo). In patients allocated to placebo, median glucose 2-h AUC increased from baseline to four weeks (836 (IQR 770–966) to 1202 (1009–1271) mmol/L per min; P = 0.01). In contrast, glucose levels remained similar to baseline in the metformin group (936 (869–1003) to 912 (825–1011) mmol/L per min; P = 0.83). This change within four weeks was different between both groups (P = 0.005). Glucocorticoid equivalent doses were similar in both groups (placebo: 980.0 (560.0–3259.8) mg/28 days; metformin: 683.0 (437.5–1970.5) mg/28 days; P = 0.26). Conclusions In this first randomised controlled trial of metformin targeting metabolic complications in patients needing glucocorticoid therapy, we observed a beneficial effect of metformin on glycaemic control. Metformin thus seems to be a promising drug for preventing metabolic side effects during systemic glucocorticoid treatment.

Exercise increases muscle derived Interleukin–6 (IL–6) leading to insulin secretion via glucagon-like peptide–1. IL–1 antagonism improves glycemia and decreases systemic inflammation including IL–6 in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, it is not known whether physiological, exercise-induced muscle-derived IL–6 is also regulated by the IL–1 system. Therefore we conducted a double blind, crossover study in 17 healthy male subjects randomized to receive either the IL–1 receptor antagonist IL-1Ra (anakinra) or placebo prior to an acute treadmill exercise. Muscle activity led to a 2–3 fold increase in serum IL–6 concentrations but anakinra had no effect on this exercise-induced IL–6. Furthermore, the IL–1 responsive inflammatory markers CRP, cortisol and MCP–1 remained largely unaffected by exercise and anakinra. We conclude that the beneficial effect of muscle-induced IL–6 is not meaningfully affected by IL–1 antagonism. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01771445

Aims The role of the IL-1 system in development of type 2 diabetes is well established. Using an IL-1 receptor antagonist, which blocks IL-1alpha and -beta activity, or by specifically neutralizing IL-1beta, several clinical studies have demonstrated improvement in insulin secretion and glycaemia. However, the role of IL-1alpha remains to be investigated. Methods We evaluated the safety and preliminary efficacy of a neutralizing true human™ monoclonal antibody against IL-1alpha (MABp1) in an open label trial in patients with type 2 diabetes. Seven patients between 50 to 66 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the study. The study subjects received four biweekly intravenous infusions of MABp1 at 1.25 mg/kg body weight up to day 60 and were followed up for a total of 90 days. Results Compared to baseline, after the 60-day period of treatment HbA1c was numerically reduced by 0.14 ± 0.21% (p = 0.15), fasting C-peptide was increased by 88% (p = 0.03), pro-insulin by 48% (p = 0.03) and insulin numerically increased by 74% (p = 0.11). Systolic blood pressure numerically decreased by 11 mmHg (p = 0.2). Both HbA1c and blood pressure rebounded to baseline levels thirty days after the end of MABp1 application. Treatment with MABp1 was well tolerated, and no adverse events occurred during the study. Conclusion The results point to a role of IL-1alpha in type 2 diabetes and encourage further investigations. (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01427699).

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relation between primary chronic insomnia and insulin sensitivity, visceral adiposity, non alcoholic fatty liver disease and neuroendocrine hormones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a case-controlled, prospective clinical trial 13 women with primary chronic insomnia according to DSM-IV criteria were compared to 12 healthy controls matched for age, sex, BMI, body composition and menopausal status. All participants had a sleep assessment including polysomnographic studies and neuropsychiatric evaluation. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated using the euglycaemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Hepatic fat content, visceral adipose tissue and intramyocellular lipid accumulation were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. The hormonal stress axis was evaluated by measurements of midnight and early morning salivary cortisol, urinary catecholamines and plasma metanephrines. Body composition was determined using body impedance analysis and indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: Although the diagnosis of primary chronic insomnia was made by established clinical criteria, standard polysomongraphic studies failed to identify altered sleep continuity and architecture when compared to matched controls. However, women with primary chronic insomnia showed significantly higher midnight salivary cortisol concentrations (1.46 vs. 0.76 nmol/l, p = 0.02), indicating dysregulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Plasma glucose and lipid concentrations, insulin sensitivity, hepatic and intramyocellular fat content, visceral adipose tissue mass and body composition did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Healthy women with clinically diagnosed primary chronic insomnia demonstrate a dysregulation of circadian cortisol secretion despite normal sleep continuity and architecture. Increased midnight cortisol levels, however, were not associated with impaired metabolism of glucose and lipids.