Publications by authors named "Ryota Usui"

Aims: Imeglimin is a new oral anti-diabetic drug with a similar structure to that of metformin; however, unlike metformin, clinical trials indicate that imeglimin elicits its glucose-lowering effect mainly by enhancement of insulin secretion. The comparative effects of the two drugs on incretin secretion remains to be elucidated.

Materials And Methods: A single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes who were drug-naïve or were on a single oral hypoglycaemic agent (OHA).

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Evaluation of insulin secretory capacity is essential to understand the pathophysiologic condition of individuals with diabetes and assess the efficacy of drugs used in the treatment of this disease. The 1-mg i.v.

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Aims/introduction: Differences in the glucose-lowering mechanisms of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have been noted. Clarifying these differences could facilitate the choice of optimal drugs for individuals with type 2 diabetes and requires investigation in a clinical setting.

Materials And Methods: A single-arm, prospective, observational study was conducted to evaluate the effects of various GLP-1RAs on postprandial glucose excursion, secretions of insulin and glucagon as well as on the gastric emptying rate.

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Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin secreted from enteroendocrine preproglucagon (PPG)-expressing cells (traditionally known as L cells) in response to luminal nutrients that potentiates insulin secretion. Augmentation of endogenous GLP-1 secretion might well represent a novel therapeutic target for diabetes treatment in addition to the incretin-associated drugs currently in use. In this study, we found that PPG cells substantially express carbonic anhydrase 8 (CAR8), which has been reported to inhibit inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) binding to the IP3 receptor and subsequent Ca efflux from the endoplasmic reticulum in neuronal cells.

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Heterogeneity of gene expression and rarity of replication hamper molecular analysis of β-cell mass restoration in adult pancreas. Here, we show transcriptional dynamics in β-cell replication process by single-cell RNA sequencing of murine pancreas with or without partial pancreatectomy. We observed heterogeneity of -expressing β-cells and identified the one cluster as replicating β-cells with high expression of cell proliferation markers and .

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Acromegaly is characterized by autonomous excessive growth hormone (GH) secretion, generally due to GH-producing pituitary adenoma, and is associated with various systemic comorbidities including diabetes mellitus. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys that deteriorate renal function. While possible renal effects of excessive GH exposure have been a current issue in experimental medicine, only five cases of coexisting acromegaly and PKD have been reported previously, and little is known regarding the influence of acromegaly on renal disease.

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Pancreatic β-cell proliferation has been gaining much attention as a therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. In order to evaluate potential β-cell mitogens, accurate and reliable methods for the detection and quantification of the β-cell proliferation rate are indispensable. In this study, we developed a novel tool that specifically labels replicating β-cells as mVenus cells by using RIP-Cre; R26Fucci2aR mice expressing the fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator Fucci2a in β-cells.

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The long-chain fatty acid receptor GPR40 plays an important role in potentiation of glucose-induced insulin secretion (GIIS) from pancreatic β-cells. Previous studies demonstrated that GPR40 activation enhances Ca release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by activating inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptors. However, it remains unknown how ER Ca release via the IP3 receptor is linked to GIIS potentiation.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study found that depletion of sphingosine kinase 1-interacting protein (SKIP) in mice increased insulin and incretin secretion, leading to improved glucose tolerance and reduced blood sugar levels.
  • SKIP is expressed not only in pancreatic β-cells but also in intestinal K- and L-cells, indicating its broader role in metabolism.
  • The beneficial effects of SKIP depletion were linked to reduced inflammation and improved lipid profiles, suggesting that targeting SKIP could be a potential strategy for treating type 2 diabetes.
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Unimolecular peptide-based dual agonists against glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) have been gaining much attention recently as novel antidiabetic agents that can potentially control glycemia and bodyweight. Although GLP-1 and GIP both enhance insulin secretion and subsequently ameliorate postprandial glucose excursion, most research has focused on GLP-1R as a therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes. This is partly because the effects of GIPR activation on glycemia and bodyweight have been controversial.

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We have reported that the HbA1c-lowering effects of liraglutide/basal insulin combination rely on remaining β-cell function and that the cut-off value of the C-peptide immunoreactivity index (CPI), a β-cell function-related index frequently used in Japanese clinical settings, is 1.103 for the achievement of HbA1c <7.0% at 54 weeks after initiating the liraglutide/basal insulin combination.

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The present study was designed to assess possible relationships between deterioration of the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)-lowering effects in dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) monotherapy and macronutrient intake among individuals with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes patients who began and continued DPP4i monotherapy without any prescription change for 1 year were retrospectively stratified into two groups: (i) patients who maintained their HbA1c levels during the 0.5- to 1-year period after DPP4i initiation (group A, ΔHbA1c [1-0.

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Aims/introduction: The glucose-lowering effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, have been shown to rely on remaining β-cell function. However, the possible associations of remaining β-cell function with the glucose-lowering effects of liraglutide in combination with basal insulin remain unknown and warrant investigation.

Materials And Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study carried out in a private hospital in Osaka, Japan.

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Article Synopsis
  • Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS)
  • is vital for regulating blood sugar levels, and its dysfunction in type 2 diabetes needs to be addressed for effective treatment.
  • Sphingosine kinase 1-interacting protein (SKIP)
  • is predominantly found in pancreatic β-cells and enhances glucose tolerance, leading to lower plasma glucose and higher insulin levels in SKIP mice compared to regular mice.
  • The study reveals that SKIP influences GSIS through a unique mechanism
  • , separate from well-known pathways involving cAMP and phosphodiesterase, potentially providing new insights for diabetes treatment.
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Procyanidins, the main ingredient of apple polyphenols, are known to possess antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects associated closely with the pathophysiology of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. We investigated the effects of orally administered apple procyanidins (APCs) on glucose metabolism using diabetic ob/ob mice. We found no difference in body weight or body composition between mice treated with APCs and untreated mice.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Field observations showed a seasonal emergence pattern, with more first instars in winter and more adults in summer, while lab tests indicated temperature significantly affects egg hatching rates.
  • * The research found that higher temperatures sped up egg development, but discrepancies between lab results and field data suggest other factors may influence the insect's population dynamics, highlighting temperature as a key limiting factor for their distribution.
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Aims/introduction: Src, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, regulates a wide range of cellular functions, and hyperactivity of Src is involved in impaired glucose metabolism in pancreatic β-cells. However, the physiological role of Src in glucose metabolism in normal, unstressed β-cells remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of Src in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism.

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Aims: The GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide improves impaired pancreatic β-cell function, thereby exerting glucose-lowering effects. However, the association of remaining β-cell function with long-term therapeutic efficacy of liraglutide remains largely unknown.

Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes who started liraglutide as monotherapy or sulfonylurea-combination therapy were retrospectively analyzed to identify possible associations of indices related to β-cell function including increments of C-peptide immunoreactivity in glucagon stimulation test (GST-ΔCPR) with achievement of HbA1c <7.

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Assessment of the benefits of anti-diabetic drugs for type 2 diabetes requires analysis of composite end-points, taking HbA1c, bodyweight, hypoglycemia and other metabolic parameters into consideration; continuous, optimal glycemic control as well as bodyweight, blood pressure and lipid levels are critical to prevent micro- and macro-vascular complications. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are now established as an important total treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes, exerting glucose-lowering effects with little hypoglycemia risk and also ameliorating bodyweight, blood pressure and lipid levels, which are therapeutic targets for prevention of complications of the disease. The available data strongly suggest only beneficial effects of GLP-1RAs; however, long-term evaluation of the relevant composite end-points including health-related quality of life and cost-effectiveness remain to be investigated in adequately powered, prospective, controlled clinical trials.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the safety and effectiveness of switching from insulin to liraglutide in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, focusing on predictors for successful transitions without hyperglycemia.
  • Among 147 patients, 110 successfully switched to liraglutide, with those who failed showing longer insulin treatment duration and lower β-cell function.
  • Results indicated that the switch led to reduced HbA1c and body weight over 12 weeks, highlighting its potential benefits, but caution is advised for patients with lower insulin secretion ability.
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We examined GLP-1 secretion from the pancreas of a patient with glucagonoma and pancreatic resection by measuring GLP-1 after meal ingestion or selective arterial calcium injection, and immunohistochemical analysis. Our findings support the notion that GLP-1 is secreted from pancreatic α cells in humans.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study investigated the effectiveness of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors on 72 Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes over four months, focusing on changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI).
  • Results showed a significant decrease in HbA1c levels, from an average of 7.2% to 6.7%, indicating improved blood sugar control.
  • The analysis found that the reduction in HbA1c was linked to patients' baseline HbA1c levels and their dietary fish intake, as well as serum levels of omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosa
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