Effects of 6months glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist treatment on endothelial function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

N. D. Hopkins, D. J. Cuthbertson, G. J. Kemp, C. Pugh, D. J. Green, N. T. Cable, H. Jones*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are used for treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Little is known about their cardiovascular (CV) impact. We sought to determine the effects of chronic treatment on vascular function in T2DM. Brachial artery endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and endothelial-independent glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) function and carotid intima-medial thickness (cIMT) were assessed in 11 severely obese T2DMs (4 females, 7 males: 55±8years, diabetes duration 8.3±4.7years mean±s.d.) before and after 6months GLP-1 RA. Body weight (5.3±1.2kg; p<0.05) and magnetic resonance imaging determined total and subcutaneous fat, but not visceral fat, decreased. Glycaemic control improved. There were no significant changes in FMD, GTN and cIMT (-1.1±0.4%, 0.3±3.0% and 0.00±0.04mm, respectively). Despite significant improvements in body composition and glycaemic control, 6months GLP-1 RA treatment did not modulate vascular function. Alternative strategies may therefore be needed to reduce the burden of CV risk in severely obese patients with long-standing T2DM.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)770-773
Number of pages4
JournalDiabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Volume15
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Carotid intima-medial thickness
  • Endothelial function
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists
  • Obesity
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

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