Liraglutide, a long-acting GLP-1 mimetic, and its metabolite attenuate inflammation after intracerebral hemorrhage

J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2012 Dec;32(12):2201-10. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2012.133. Epub 2012 Sep 12.

Abstract

The inflammatory response plays a pivotal role in propagating injury of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a hormone with antidiabetic effect and may also have antiinflammatory properties. Despite consensus that the glucoregulatory action is mediated by the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), mechanisms in the brain remain unclear. We investigated the effect of a long-acting GLP-1 analog, liraglutide, and its truncated metabolite, GLP-1(9-36)a from dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) cleavage in ICH-induced brain injury. Primary outcomes were cerebral edema formation, neurobehavior, and inflammatory parameters. GLP-1(9-36)a, GLP-1R inhibitor, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation inhibitor and DPP-4 inhibitor were administered to examine the mechanisms of action. Liraglutide suppressed neuroinflammation, prevented brain edema and neurologic deficit following ICH, which were partially reversed by GLP-1R inhibitor and AMPK phosphorylation inhibitor. Liraglutide-mediated AMPK phosphorylation was unaffected by GLP-1R inhibitor, and was found to be induced by GLP-1(9-36)a. GLP-1(9-36)a showed salutary effects on primary outcomes that were reversed by AMPK phosphorylation inhibitor but not by GLP-1R inhibitor. Liraglutide and DPP-4 inhibitor co-administration reversed liraglutide-mediated AMPK phosphorylation and antiinflammatory effects. Liraglutide exerted duals actions and the antiinflammatory effects are partially mediated by its metabolite in a phosphorylated AMPK-dependent manner. Therapies that inhibit GLP-1 degradation may weaken the metabolite-mediated effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials / pharmacokinetics*
  • Biomimetic Materials / pharmacology
  • Brain Edema / drug therapy
  • Brain Edema / metabolism
  • Brain Edema / pathology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / drug therapy
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / metabolism*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / metabolism
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / pharmacokinetics
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / pharmacology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Liraglutide
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Liraglutide
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4
  • Dpp4 protein, mouse