Effects on α- and β-cell function of sequentially adding empagliflozin and linagliptin to therapy in people with type 2 diabetes previously receiving metformin: An exploratory mechanistic study.

Aims The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of sequential treatment escalation with empagliflozin and linagliptin on laboratory markers of alpha- and beta cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) insufficiently controlled on metformin monotherapy. Methods Forty-four patients with T2DM received 25 mg empagliflozin for a duration of one month in an open-label fashion (treatment period (TP 1). Thereafter, patients were randomised to a double-blind add-on therapy with linagliptin 5 mg or placebo (TP 2) for one additional month. Alpha- and beta cell function were assessed with a standardised liquid meal test (LMT) and an intravenous (iv.) glucose challenge. Effi…