Effects of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 on the differentiation and metabolism of human adipocytes

Background and Purpose

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) analogues improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients and cause weight loss in obese subjects by as yet unknown mechanisms. We recently demonstrated that the GLP‐1 receptor, which is present in adipocytes and the stromal vascular fraction of human adipose tissue (AT), is up‐regulated in AT of insulin‐resistant morbidly obese subjects compared with healthy lean subjects. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of in vitro and in vivo administration of GLP‐1 and its analogues on AT and adipocyte functions from T2D morbidly obese subjects.

Experimental Approach

We analysed the effects of GLP‐1 on human AT and isolated adipocytes in vitro and the effects of GLP‐1 mimetics on AT of morbidly obese T2D subjects in vivo.

Key Results

GLP‐1 down‐regulated the expression of lipogenic genes when administered during in vitro differentiation of human adipocytes from morbidly obese patients. GLP‐1 also decreased the expression of adipogenic/lipogenic genes in AT explants and mature adipocytes, while increasing that of lipolytic markers and adiponectin. In 3T3‐L1 adipocytes, GLP‐1 decreased free cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i). GLP‐1‐induced responses were only partially blocked by GLP‐1 receptor antagonist exendin (9–39). Moreover, administration of exenatide or liraglutide reduced adipogenic and inflammatory marker mRNA in AT of T2D obese subjects.

Conclusions and Implications

Our data suggest that the beneficial effects of GLP‐1 are associated with changes in the adipogenic potential and ability of AT to expand, via activation of the canonical GLP‐1 receptor and an additional, as yet unknown, receptor.

DOI: 10.1111/bph.13481

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