Liraglutide Increases the Catabolism of Apolipoprotein B100-Containing Lipoproteins in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Reduces Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Expression.

OBJECTIVE: Dyslipidemia observed in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is atherogenic. Important features of diabetic dyslipidemia are increased levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and small dense LDL particles, which all have apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) as a major apolipoprotein. This prompted us to study the effect of the GLP-1 agonist liraglutide on the metabolism of apoB100-containing lipoproteins. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed an in vivo kinetic study with stable isotopes (L-[1-C]leucine) in 10 patients with T2D before and after 6 months of treatment with liraglutide (1.2 mg/day). We also evaluated in mice the effect of liraglutide on the expression of genes involved in apoB100-containing lipoprotein clearance. RESULTS: In patients with T2D, liraglutide treatment significantly reduced plasma apoB100 (0.93 ± 0.13 vs. 1.09 ± 0.11 g/L, = 0.011) and fasting triglycerides (1.76 ± 0.37 vs. 2.48 ± 0.69 mmol/L, = 0.005). The kinetic study showed a significant increase in indirect catabolism of VLDL-apoB100 (4.11 ± 1.91 vs. 2.96 ± 1.61 pools/day, = 0.005), VLDL-apoB100 (5.17 ± 2.53 vs. 2.84 ± 1.65 pools/day, = 0.008), and IDL-apoB100 (5.27 ± 2.77 vs. 3.74 ± 1.85 pools/day, = 0.017) and in catabolism of LDL-apoB100 (0.72 ± 0.22 vs. 0.56 ± 0.22 pools/day, = 0.005). In mice, liraglutide increased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene expression and reduced proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene expression in adipose tissue and decreased PCSK9 mRNA and increased LDL receptor protein expression in liver. In vitro, liraglutide directly reduced the expression of in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with liraglutide induces a significant acceleration of the catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (VLDL, VLDL, IDL) and LDL. Liraglutide modifies the expression of genes involved in apoB100-containing lipoprotein catabolism. These positive effects on lipoprotein metabolism may reduce cardiovascular risk in T2D.