Novel GLP-1 mimetics developed to treat type 2 diabetes promote progenitor cell proliferation in the brain

A. Hamilton, S. Patterson, D. Porter, V. A. Gault, C. Holscher*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

179 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

One of the symptoms of diabetes is the progressive development of neuropathies. One mechanism to replace neurons in the CNS is through the activation of stem cells and neuronal progenitor cells. We have tested the effects of the novel GLP-1 mimetics exenatide (exendin-4; Byetta) and liraglutide (NN2211; Victoza), which are already on the market as treatments for type 2 diabetes, on the proliferation rate of progenitor cells and differentiation into neurons in the dentate gyrus of brains of mouse models of diabetes. GLP-1 analogues were injected subcutaneously for 4, 6, or 10 weeks once daily in three mouse models of diabetes: ob/ob mice, db/db mice, or high-fat-diet-fed mice. Twenty-four hours before perfusion, animals were injected with 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to mark dividing progenitor cells. By using immunohistochemistry and stereological methods, the number of progenitor cells or doublecortin-positive young neurons in the dentate gyrus was estimated. We found that, in all three mouse models, progenitor cell division was enhanced compared with nondiabetic controls after chronic i.p. injection of either liraglutide or exendin-4 by 100-150% (P < 0.001). We also found an increase in young neurons in the DG of high-fat-diet-fed mice after drug treatment (P < 0.001). The GLP-1 receptor antagonist exendin(9-36) reduced progenitor cell proliferation in these mice. The results demonstrate that GLP-1 mimetics show promise as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, because these novel drugs cross the blood-brain barrier and increase neuroneogenesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)481-489
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Neuroscience Research
Volume89
Issue number4
Early online date10 Jan 2011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2011

Keywords

  • diabetes
  • neurodegeneration
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • stem cells
  • regeneration
  • incretins

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Novel GLP-1 mimetics developed to treat type 2 diabetes promote progenitor cell proliferation in the brain'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this