Daewoong Pet, the veterinary branch of Daewoong Pharmaceutical, recently hosted a seminar titled “Latest research and treatment strategies for digestive disorders and diabetes” at Bear Hall in Gangnam last Sunday. Approximately 100 veterinary professionals attended the seminar.

Professor An Ju-hyun from Kangwon National University, a leading authority in veterinary endocrinology, opened the seminar with a presentation on her recent study: Effect of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, DWP16001, as an add-on therapy to insulin for diabetic dogs: A pilot study. Published in May, the research explores new ways to manage diabetes in dogs by enhancing blood glucose control.

Diabetes in dogs, much like in humans, is marked by hyperglycemia—excessive glucose in the blood. This condition typically results from inadequate insulin production or counter-regulatory hormones like glucagon, cortisol, and epinephrine. 

“Understanding the renal glucose threshold is crucial for diabetes management,” Professor An said. This threshold, which in dogs ranges from 180-220 mg/dL, indicates when glucose spills into the urine due to overwhelmed reabsorption mechanisms. 

Chronic hyperglycemia can lead to severe complications, including issues with the retina, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system. According to Professor An, diabetes is “one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders in pets, affecting between 0.3 and 1 percent of dogs.”

To tackle this, a range of hypoglycemic agents can complement insulin therapy. These include sulfonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, incretins, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors. The latter works by inhibiting glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, with SGLT-2 accounting for 90 percent of this process, according to Professor An.

In veterinary medicine, Elanco’s SGLT-2 inhibitor Bexacat (bexagliflozin) has been approved for feline diabetes. In human medicine, Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s Envlo (enavogliflozin) is a notable example. In her study, Professor An’s team administered enavogliflozin to 19 dogs with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) who struggled with glucose control despite insulin treatment.

The dogs were divided into two groups: one received enavogliflozin daily for eight weeks, and the other every three days for the same period. Additionally, ten dogs participated in a year-long trial with either daily or tri-weekly doses. The study assessed weight, insulin requirements, fructosamine, and fasting blood glucose levels.

While the eight-week results showed no statistically significant changes, the year-long trial revealed reductions in fasting blood glucose, fructosamine levels, and insulin needs in both groups. No side effects were noted. “These findings suggest that enavogliflozin can effectively manage blood glucose in dogs inadequately controlled by insulin alone,” Professor An said.

Kim Il-hwan, CEO of V1bio, a Korean biotech company specializing in animal health nutrition using microbiomes, also spoke at the symposium, shedding light on the canine gut microbiome. Kim’s research drew parallels between canine and human microbiomes, offering insights into managing gastrointestinal issues in dogs. 

Kim emphasized that a balanced microbiome is crucial for overall health. “A diverse gut microbiota enhances the mucosal barrier and boosts anti-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin 10,” he said. “On the other hand, reduced diversity can lead to pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased risk of infections.”

V1bio, which boasts a collection of about 3,500 microbiome strains, is developing nutritional supplements and treatments for dogs using these strains. Kim introduced Limosillactobacillus reuteri VA102, a strain isolated from healthy Beagles. “Although preliminary tests did not show significant tumor size reduction,” Kim said, “V1bio is investigating its potential as a preventive measure against tumors.”