Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist stimulates mitochondrial bioenergetics in human adipocytes

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are relatively new pharmacological agents used to normalize glucose level in type 2 diabetes. Recently, GLP-1RAs have been approved for the treatment of obesity to reduce body weight in non-diabetic patients. The extra-pancreatic effects of GLP-1RAs, as well as their molecular mechanism of action, are still poorly understood. Thus this study was aimed to verify the hypothesis that the mechanism of action of the GLP-1RAs involves mitochondria and that GLP-1RAs administration can improve mitochondrial functions. For this purpose, preadipocytes CHUBS7 were differentiated to mature adipocytes and then stimulated with GLP-1RA, exendin-4 at 100 nM for 24 h. Oxygen consumption rates, mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular ATP (adenosine triphosphate) level, SIRT1 and SIRT3 gene expression and the histone deacetylases' activity were measured. Exendin-4 was found to uncouple mitochondrial electron transport from ATP synthesis, slightly decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential in mature adipocytes. Routine respiration and uncoupled oxygen consumption rates were higher in exendin-4 treated adipocytes than in the non-treated cells. The ATP level remained unchanged. Exendin-4 enhanced SIRT1 and SIRT3 genes expression. Histone deacetylases' activity in the nuclear fraction was not affected by exendin-4, although the activity of class III histone deacetylases was increased. All of the effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics induced by exendin-4 were abolished by addition of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor antagonist. In conclusion, exendin-4 activates the sirtuin pathway and increases energy expenditure in human adipocytes. Our results suggest another mechanism that may be responsible for body weight reduction observed in patients using GLP-1RAs.