WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- An article
published in Experimental Biology and Medicine (Volume 243,
Issue 1, January, 2018) describes a new benefit for patients with
type-2-diabetes (T2D) that take liraglutide. The study, led by Dr.
Xinhua Xiao, from the Peking Union
Medical College Hospital in Beijing,
China, demonstrates that liraglutide beneficially changes
the gut microbiome in an animal model of T2D.
T2D is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by high
levels of glucose, a sugar, in the blood. Glucose is an important
energy source for all cells. When glucose remains in the blood
and does not enter cells, cells are not able to function
properly. Recent studies have demonstrated that patients with
T2D also have alterations in the natural bacteria that reside in
gastrointestinal tract and facilitate digestion and impact overall
health. If left untreated, the complications from T2D can be
life-threatening and include heart disease, nerve damage, kidney
disease, eye damage, foot damage, and Alzheimer's
disease. Diet and exercise can prevent complications in some
patients. Other patients may need medications to prevent
complications. Liraglutide was approved by US Food and Drug
Administration for the treatment of T2D in 2010 and reduces blood
glucose levels. However, the effects of liraglutide on the gut
microbiome have not been elucidated.
In the current study, Dr. Xiao and colleagues examined the gut
microbiota in normal rats, diabetic rats and liraglutide-treated
diabetic male rats. Diabetic rats exhibited a marked reduction
in the number and diversity of gut microbes. Lariglutide
administration prevented the development of diabetes, and
selectively enhanced some short-chain fatty acid-producing and
probiotic bacteria. Dr. Qian
Zhang, Assistant Professor of Peking Union Medical College
Hospital and a co-author of the study, stated that "The correlation
of gut microbiota moderation and liraglutide treatment in diabetic
rats may contribute to a new beneficial effect of liraglutide
against diabetes." Dr. Xiao said that "Beneficial bacteria
therapy could be a safe and efficient treatment for diabetic
patients."
Dr. Steven R. Goodman,
Editor-in-Chief of Experimental Biology & Medicine,
said, "Xiao and colleagues have demonstrated an additional positive
effect of the FDA approved Type 2 diabetes drug treatment:
Liraglutide in a rat model. They demonstrate in a Type 2 diabetes
rat model that this glucagon-like peptide not only stimulates the
glucose-induced insulin response but also changes the gut
microbiome leading to decreased inflammation and increased short
chain fatty acid producers and probiotic bacteria in the gut.
Further studies elucidating the underlying mechanisms are now
warranted."
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SOURCE Experimental Biology and Medicine