Molecular and cellular mechanisms of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist-mediated attenuation of cardiac fibrosis

Tracey Gaspari, Melita Brdar, Huey Wen Lee, Iresha Spizzo, Yunshan Hu, Robert E Widdop, Richard W Simpson, Anthony E Dear

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

35 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists may have a role in modulation of cardiac fibrosis. Our study aimed to determine the effect of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide in obesity, hypertension and age-induced murine models of cardiac fibrosis and identify associated molecular mechanisms. METHODS: C57Bl/6J mice on a high-fat diet and C57Bl/6J mice on a normal chow diet treated with angiotensin II were used to induce obesity and hypertension-mediated cardiac fibrosis, respectively. C57Bl/6J mice 20 months old were used to study age-induced cardiac fibrosis. Liraglutide treatment of 30 microg/kg/day-300 microg/kg s.c. twice daily was administered for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Liraglutide treatment attenuated obesity, hypertension and age-induced increases in interstitial cardiac fibrosis and expression of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. CONCLUSIONS: These observations identify a potential role for liraglutide in the prevention of cardiac fibrosis and identify molecular mechanisms associated with these effects.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)56-68
Number of pages13
JournalDiabetes & Vascular Disease Research
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Keywords

  • Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist
  • cardiac fibrosis
  • macrophage
  • anti-inflammatory
  • oxidative stress

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