Effect of liraglutide on glucagon secretion in obese type 2 diabetic patients

Objective To investigate the effect of liraglutide on glucagon release in obese type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods A multi-center, prospective, and self-comparison study was conducted in four hospitals in Qingdao. Twenty-four patients with T2DM were selected and treated with liraglutide for 12 weeks. Glucagon levels before and after treatment were detected before and 30 min, 60 min and 120 min after meals. Results After 12 weeks of treatment, the overall level of glucagon decreased, in which the differences in glucagon levels at 30 min [(220±79) ng/L vs. (203±77) ng/L, P<0.05] and 60 min [(248±119) ng/L vs. (203±82)ng/L, P<0.05] reached significance, respectively, comparing to those before treatment. The area under the curve of glucagon after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment (438±190 vs. 389±153, P<0.05). In contrast, after treatment, the overall level of C-peptide increased, especially the levels at 30 min [(1.53±1.02) nmol/L vs.(2.03±1.29) nmol/L], 60 min [(1.93±1.19) nmol/L vs. (2.48±1.75) nmol/L] and 120 min [(2.36±1.47) nmol/L vs. (2.96±1.84) nmol/L], all P<0.05. The area under C-peptide curve increased significantly (3.6±2.2 vs. 4.6±2.9, P<0.05). Fasting plasma glucose, postprandial 2 h plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c were all lower than before, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Waist circumference and body mass index were significantly lower than before (P<0.05). The amount of insulin used for the treatment decreased by approximately 55.1% compared with that before liraglutide, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Liraglutide inhibits glucagon secretion and lowers blood glucose. It can also reduce body weight, improve islet cell function and reduce insulin use in T2DM. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Liraglutide; Glucagon