Effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin on coronary atherosclerosis as assessed by intravascular ultrasound in type 2 diabetes mellitus with coronary artery disease

It is unclear whether the addition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4-I) to statins may cause coronary plaque regression in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Seventy-five T2DM patients with CAD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention under intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance were randomized to receive DPP4-I sitagliptin (sitagliptin group) or not to receive DPP4-I (non-DPP4-I group) as an add-on treatment to statins, and were followed-up for 8–12 months. Patients with analyzable IVUS examinations of the non-culprit segment were included in the primary analysis. Sitagliptin group (n = 28) and non-DPP4-I group (n = 24) had significant (p < 0.05) and similar reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (− 12 ± 24 and − 12 ± 23 mg/dL), and had no significant changes in hemoglobin A1c levels. Nominal change in percent atheroma volume (PAV), the primary endpoint, was not significant in both the sitagliptin and non-DPP4-I groups [mean (95% CI): + 1.1% (− 0.5 to 2.7%) and 0.2% (− 1.5 to 1.9%)]. The difference in change in PAV between sitagliptin and non-DPP4-I groups was also not significant [0.89% (− 1.46%–3.25%)]. The addition of sitagliptin to statins did not cause coronary plaque regression in T2DM with CAD.