Soo Lim

• MD, MPH, PhD
• Professor at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital

Aims Clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of the phentermine and topiramate combination in weight management. This research evaluated the efficacy and safety of phentermine/topiramate extended release (ER) for weight management, focusing on alterations in body weight and metabolic parameters in routine clinical practice. Materials a...

Background: The novel sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor enavogliflozin effectively lowers glycosylated hemoglobin levels and body weights without the increased risk of serious adverse events; however, the long-term clinical benefits of enavogliflozin in terms of cardiovascular and renal outcomes have not been investigated. Methods:...

Aims This study evaluated the effects of choline alfoscerate on cognitive function and quality of life in T2DM patients with mild cognitive decrements. Materials and Methods In a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial, we recruited 36 individuals with T2DM and mild cognitive impairment which was assessed by the Mini‐Mental State Examin...

Objective This ACTION‐IO sub‐analysis compared attitudes of people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) between South Korea/Japan and global. Methods Responses from overall (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m²) and higher BMI (30.0–34.9 kg/m²) groups were compared descriptively; t‐and z‐tests were used to test for statistical signif...

Background The therapeutic effects of ertugliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, on cardiovascular outcome are not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin on cardiac function in people with type 2 diabetes and pre-heart failure. Methods We conducted a 24-week randomized, double-blind,...

Aims To assess the efficacy and safety of sarpogrelate (300 mg) for symptom improvement in patients having peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or being at risk of PAD in clinical practice using the Peripheral Artery Questionnaire (PAQ). Background Symptomatic changes with antiplatelets in patients with PAD are limited. Objective To determine th...

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multiplex modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and other health outcomes, and is a major challenge to clinical practice and public health. The rising global prevalence of MetS, driven by urbanization, sedentary lifestyles and dietary changes, underlines the urgency of address...

Obesity, which is characterized by excessive body fat, increases the risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Sarcopenia, a decline in muscle mass, is also associated with many chronic disorders and is therefore a major concern in aging populations. Body composition analysis is important in th...

Background To examine the association between glycemic status and all-cause mortality risk among individuals with dementia. Methods We enrolled 146,832 individuals aged 40 and older with dementia as identified through the Korean National Health Insurance Service health screening test between 2008 and 2016. Mortality status was evaluated at the end...

Background: Atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance, contributes to the development of vascular complications. Statin therapy is the primary approach to dyslipidemia management in T2D, however, the role of non-statin therapy remains unclear. Ezetimibe reduces cholesterol burden by...

BACKGROUND The study aimed to evaluate the effects of pitavastatin therapy on biochemical markers of bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis and hypercholesterolemia. METHODS AND RESULTS This prospective observational study recruited 70 postmenopausal Korean women who were administered p...

Background Renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes following treatment with sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) have not been directly compared. This study compared the impact of SGLT2i and GLP1RA therapy on renal function and metabolic parameters. Methods Patients wit...

Introduction & Objective: iGlarLixi, a once-daily injectable fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine 100 U/mL + lixisenatide, has demonstrated improved glycemic control in people with T2D vs its monocomponents and may be a simplified treatment option vs PI. The Soli-SWITCH study (EudraCT number 2021-003711-25) assessed the efficacy and safety o...

Introduction & Objective: iGlarLixi is a once-daily injectable fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine 100 U/mL + lixisenatide and may be a simplified treatment option vs PI. This sub-analysis of the Soli-SWITCH study (EudraCT number 2021-003711-25) assessed the efficacy and safety of switching to iGlarLixi in people with T2D from South Korea c...

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of HD-6277, the first candidate of GPR40 in a new oral antidiabetic agent, in Adult Patients With Inadequate Control of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Research Design & Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial recruited 112 participants aged ≥ 20 years with T2DM with HbA1c b...

Aim To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of an initial triple combination therapy (TCT) compared with conventional stepwise add‐on therapy (SAT) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D). Materials and Methods This multicentre, randomized, 104‐week, open‐label trial randomized 105 patients with drug‐naïve T2D (with HbA1c level ≥...

Background: It is well known that a large number of patients with diabetes also have dyslipidemia, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination drugs consisting of metformin and atorvastatin, widely used as therapeutic agents for diabetes and dyslipidemi...

Background Sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a novel class of anti‐hyperglycaemic agents. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the safety and the adjuvant glycaemic control effect of an SGLT2 inhibitor, DWP16001, in diabetic dogs receiving insulin treatment. Methods Nineteen diabetic dogs receiving insulin treatment (NPH, po...

Nowadays, the focus of diabetes treatment has switched from lowering the glucose level to preserving glycemic homeostasis and slowing the disease progression. The main pathophysiology of both type 1 diabetes and long‐standing type 2 diabetes is pancreatic β‐cell mass loss and dysfunction. According to recent research, human pancreatic β‐cells posse...

Background: Guidelines for switching to triple combination therapy directly after monotherapy failure are limited. This study investigated the efficacy, long-term sustainability, and safety of either mono or dual add-on therapy using alogliptin and pioglitazone for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who did not achieve their target glyc...

Aims/hypothesis The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of stand-alone intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) with or without a structured education programme and blood glucose monitoring (BGM) in adults with type 2 diabetes on multiple daily insulin injections (MDI). Methods In this 24 week randomised open-lab...

Obesity is a significant risk factor for health issues like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It often proves resistant to traditional lifestyle interventions, prompting a need for more precise therapeutic strategies. This has led to a focus on signaling pathways and neuroendocrine mechanisms to develop targeted obesity treatments. Recent...

Aims To explore the effect of renal function on the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profile and safety of enavogliflozin, a selective sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods An open‐label, two‐part clinical trial was conducted in T2DM patients, stratified by renal fu...

Aim To investigate the efficacy and safety of pioglitazone compared to placebo when added to metformin plus dapagliflozin, a sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods In a multicentre study, with a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled design, 249 Korean patien...

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) stands as the leading global cause of mortality. Addressing this vital and pervasive condition requires a multifaceted approach, in which antiplatelet intervention plays a pivotal role, together with antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and lipid-lowering therapies. Among the antiplatelet agents available c...

Importance Several oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) classes can potentially improve patient outcomes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to varying degrees, but clinical data on which class is favored are lacking. Objective To investigate which OAD is associated with the best patient outcomes in NAFLD and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Design, Settin...

Background We aimed to explore the associations between thigh muscle fat density and vascular events. Methods A total of 3,595 adults (mean age, 57.2 years; women, 1,715 [47.7%]) without baseline cardiovascular events from the Korean Atherosclerosis Study-2 were included. Muscle and fat area at the mid-thigh level were measured by computed tomogra...

Background: We investigated the long-term efficacy and safety of initial triple therapy using metformin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, and a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: We enrolled 170 drug-naïve patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level >7.5% who had started tripl...

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are well-established type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatments. As variations among populations and culture might influence treatment effects, this post hoc analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of once-weekly (OW) semaglutide in a Korean population. Korean adults with T2D inadequately controlled on metformin i...

Introduction: Patients with hypertension and additional cardiovascular risk factors pose a challenge by requiring more intensive blood pressure (BP) control. Single-pill combination (SPC) therapy can benefit these patients by improving medication adherence. Methods: This prospective, multicenter observational study assessed the real-world safety...

Aim: An important characteristic of glucose-lowering therapies (GLTs) is their ability to prevent cardiovascular complications. We aimed to investigate the cardiorenal efficacy and general safety of GLTs. Materials and methods: Multicentre, randomized, clinical trials that included over 100 participants comparing antidiabetic agents with a place...

Aims: Compare the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin, dapagliflozin, and lobeglitazone in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, despite metformin and sulfonylurea therapy. Methods: The study randomized patients into three groups, receiving sitagliptin 100 mg, dapagliflozin 10 mg, or lobeglitazone 0.5 mg daily (n = 26 each) and monitored ch...

Aims: To describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and identify associated factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with oral glucose-lowering drugs (OGLDs). Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional analysis included adults with T2DM from 11 Asian countries/regions prospectively enrolled in the Joint Asian Diabe...

Abstract Background Recent large clinical trials have demonstrated cardiovascular benefits of similar overall magnitude for sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) therapy in subjects with type 2 diabetes. We sought to identify subgroups based on baseline characteristics with a diffe...

Background: Long term quality of life is becoming increasingly crucial as survival following partial pancreatectomy rises. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in glucose dysregulation after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or distal pancreatectomy (DP). Methods: In this prospective observational study from 2015 to 2018, 224 p...

The sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor empagliflozin (EMPA) and dual SGLT1/2 inhibitor sotagliflozin (SOTA) are emerging as heart failure (HF) medications in addition to having glucose-lowering effects in diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the precise mechanism underlying this cardioprotective effect has not yet been elucidated. Here, w...

Background: The number of people with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide, and many socioeconomic and environmental factors contribute to this. Objectives: The authors investigated tangible trends in the prevalence of MetS using the 2001 to 2020 versions of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Meth...

Diabetes is prevalent, and it imposes a substantial public health burden globally and in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The cornerstone for optimizing diabetes management and treatment outcomes is glucose monitoring, the techniques of which have evolved from self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and to continuous...

Glucose monitoring has evolved from self-monitoring of blood glucose to glycated hemoglobin, and the latest continuous glucose monitoring(CGM). A key challenge to adoption of CGM for management of diabetes in Asia is the lack of regional CGM recommendations. Hence, thirteen diabetes-specialists from eight Asia-Pacific(APAC) countries/regions conven...

The objective of this study was to provide recommendations regarding effectiveness, safety, optimal starting dose, optimal maintenance dose range, and target fasting plasma glucose of five basal insulins (glargine U-300, degludec U-100, glargine U-100, detemir, and insulin protamine Hagedorn) in insulinnaïve adult patients with type 2 diabetes in t...

Aims: There are concerns about the adverse effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors on cardiac function. We investigated the effects of gemigliptin on cardiac function and compared the effects of gemigliptin and glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Materials and methods: Sixty T2D patients being treated with metformin...

Aims: To investigate the effectiveness, safety, optimal starting dose, optimal maintenance dose range, and target fasting plasma glucose of five basal insulins in insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from January 2000 to February 2022. The Preferred...

Various health-related effects of long-chain (LC) ω-3 PUFAs, EPA, and DHA have been suggested. LC ω-3 PUFAs reduce TG concentrations and have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiplatelet, and vascular protective effects. Controversially, they might help in restoring glucose homeostasis via the gut microbiota. However, previous studies have not...

Objective: In patients with type 2 diabetes who were inadequately controlled with metformin and sulfonylurea, we compared the glucose-lowering efficacy, cardiometabolic parameters, and safety of two drugs, ipragliflozin, a SGLT-2 inhibitor, and sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor. Research design and methods: Patients with 7.5%-9.0% glycated hemoglob...

Background Recent studies suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)] might have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. We investigated the effects of olmesartan on the changes in serum ACE2 and Ang-(1–7) levels as well as kidney and vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertens...

Aims: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of enavogliflozin, a novel sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, versus dapagliflozin in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled with metformin and gemigliptin. Methods: In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized study, patients with inadequate respons...

Background: Technological advances make it possible to use device-supported, automated algorithms to aid basal insulin (BI) dosing titration in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were performed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and quality of life of automated BI titratio...

The efficacy and safety of medications can be affected by alterations in gut microbiota in human beings. Among antidiabetic medications, incretin-based therapy such as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors might affect gut microbiomes, which are related to glucose metabolism. This was a randomized, controlled, active-competitor study that aimed to comp...

The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, empagliflozin (EMPA), and dual SGLT1/2 inhibitor, sotagliflozin (SOTA) are emerging as heart failure (HF) medications beyond their glucose-lowering-effects in diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the precise mechanism underlying this cardioprotective effect has not yet been elucidated. Here, we eva...

Type 2 diabetes accounts for nearly 90% of the approximately 537 million cases of diabetes worldwide. The number affected is increasing rapidly with alarming trends in children and young adults (up to age 40 years). Early detection and proactive management are crucial for prevention and mitigation of microvascular and macrovascular complications an...

Aim This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of a newly developed multifrequency segmental (MFS) bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method using an additional portable abdominal (PA) impedance analyzer, in the assessment of abdominal visceral fat area (VFA). Materials and methods One hundred healthy Korean subjects aged 19 years or ov...

Aims: To explore the patterns of use of oral glucose lowering drugs (OGLDs) in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) focusing on sulphonylureas (SU) and to describe the patient profiles according to treatment regimen. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from adults with T2D from 11 Asian countries/regions with structured...

South Korea is a unique country in many aspects in terms of its strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic. From February 2020, the South Korean government adopted active epidemiological investigations, strict isolation of affected patients, and extensive public lockdowns, which were helpful in controlling spread until the end of 2021. This stable situ...

Background: The factors associated with non-adherence to obesity treatment using 3.0 mg of liraglutide in a real-world setting remain elusive. Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis of 769 participants treated with 3.0 mg of liraglutide from December 2017 to June 2020 at nine Korean hospitals. Data were collected 2, 4, and 6 months afte...

Background: Previously, in the ESCAPE study, a randomized controlled trial, we found that 12 months of cilostazol administration significantly decreased coronary artery stenosis and the noncalcified plaque component compared with aspirin. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the effect of cilostazol treatment on cardiovascular events up t...

Background: Since December 2019, most countries have struggled with the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). During the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, weight gain became prevalent because the preventive measures against the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection resulted in decreased physical activ...

People with obesity are at high risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of malignancy. A significant reduction in muscle mass is also associated with increased risk of developing sarcopenia. In general, body composition is affected by several factors, including ethnicity, environment, genetics, and lifestyle patterns. As...

Vitamin D is associated with biological activities of the innate and adaptive immune systems, as well as inflammation. In observational studies, an inverse relationship has been found between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and the risk or severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several mechanisms have been proposed for...

Obesity increases the risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. Simple anthropometric measurements have time limitations in reflecting short-term weight and body fat changes. Thus, for detecting losing or maintaining weight in short term, it is desirable to develop portable/compact device...

Background: We investigated whether Lactobacillus plantarum strain LMT1-48, isolated from Korean fermented foods and newborn feces, is a suitable probiotic supplement to treat overweight subjects. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 100 volunteers with a body mass index of 25 to 30 kg/m2 were assigned rando...

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a chronic condition that affects nearly one billion people globally, characterized by triacylglycerol accumulation in the liver as a consequence of metabolic abnormalities (obesity and impaired glucose regulation). Low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, an...

Background The co-occurrence of diabetes and osteoporosis is common in postmenopausal women. For the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, current guidelines recommend initial treatment with bisphosphonates, but it is unclear whether bisphosphonates provide a similar degree of therapeutic efficacy in patients with diabetes. This study sought to...

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, cerebrovascular attack, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with metabolic dysfunction has been reported to additionally increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) compared to NAFLD only. Currently, metabolic dysfu...

Background: Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) have been associated with various safety concerns including weight gain, bladder cancer, and congestive heart failure (CHF). This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of lobeglitazone, a novel TZD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in real practice. Methods: In this non-interventional, multi...

Background: Semaglutide is a long-acting, subcutaneous (s.c.), glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue that is currently being investigated for obesity management in adults with overweight or obesity in the phase 3 STEP clinical trial program. Varying degrees of weight loss were observed with once-weekly s.c. semaglutide 2.4 mg in STEP 1, and a post-hoc a...

Aims: Cereblon (CRBN) is a substrate receptor of the E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that was reported to target ion channel proteins. L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (LTCC) density and dysfunction is a critical player in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the underlying cellular mechanisms by which CRBN regulates LTC...

Background Semaglutide 2·4 mg once weekly has been investigated for weight management in global populations. Differences exist between Asian and non-Asian populations in terms of body composition and definitions of obesity. In the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with obesity (STEP) 6 trial, we assessed the effect of semaglutide versus placeb...

Background Only few studies have investigated the role of probiotics in the development of obesity. We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of an intake of Lactobacillus plantarum K50 (LPK) on body fat and lipid profiles in people with obesity. Methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial involved 81 adults with...

The development of selective targeting of drug molecules towards the mitochondria is an important issue related to therapy efficacy. In this study, we report that gallic acid (GA)-mitochondria targeting sequence (MTS)-H3R9 exhibits a dual role as a mitochondria-targeting vehicle with antioxidant activity for disease therapy. In viability assays, GA...

Background: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the most widely used method for evaluating muscle masses. The aim of this study was to investigate the agreement between muscle mass values assessed by two different DXA systems. Methods: Forty healthy participants (20 men, 20 women; age range, 23 to 71 years) were enrolled. Total and regiona...

Background Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a higher prevalence of heart failure (HF) than those without it. Approximately 40 % of HF patients have DM and they tend to have poorer outcomes than those without DM. This study evaluated the impact of insulin therapy on mortality among acute HF patients. Methods A total of 1740 patients from t...

Background & aims A relationship between postprandial hyperlipidemia and glucose homeostasis/cardiovascular diseases has been suggested. We investigated postprandial plasma lipid patterns after a standardized high-fat meal and their association with glucose homeostasis and subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods Using matching by BMI, 32 healthy indi...

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, preventive measures mandated by government policies have included the closure of exercise facilities and movement restriction, which can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. We investigated the effect of these preventive measures on metabolic parameters in individuals with cardiometab...

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has changed the lives of many people across the globe. In addition to the effect of the virus on the biological functions in those infected individuals, many countries have launched government policy with additional impact of these quarantine...

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived cytokine known for its cardioprotective effects in preclinical studies. Early epidemiologic studies replicated these findings and drew great interest. Subsequent large-scale prospective cohorts, however, showed that adiponectin levels seemed not to relate to incident coronary artery disease (CAD). Even more surpr...

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are reported to reduce body fat in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and SGLT2i-induced weight reduction may help improve comorbid nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to investigate the potential benefit of SGLT2is over other oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) in pa...

Background: Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue, is being investigated in people with overweight or obesity. A post-hoc analysis of the STEP 4 trial was conducted to identify whether early weight loss is predictive of later weight loss with maintenance once-weekly subcutaneous (s.c.) semaglutide 2.4 mg. Methods: STEP 4 was a randomized,...

Background: Semaglutide is a long-acting, subcutaneous (s.c.), glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue that is currently being investigated for obesity management in adults with overweight or obesity in the phase 3 STEP clinical trial program. Varying degrees of weight loss were observed with once-weekly s.c. semaglutide 2.4 mg in STEP 1, and a post-hoc a...