Background: In addition to its glucoregulatory actions, exendin-4, a stable glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, exhibits protective effects in the pancreas and anti-obesity effects. Suitable combination treatment with other anti-obesity or pancreas protective agents would be an effective approach to optimize these additional effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the addition of omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, to exendin-4 in db/db mice, an experimental model of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Methods: The effects repeated dose treatment for 14 days with exendin-4 (8 μg/kg, s.c.) and omeprazole (30 mg/kg, s.c.) on glycemic control, food intake, and body weight were determined in obese and hyperglycemic db/db mice. The effects of these treatments on plasma gastrin, ghrelin, and leptin levels were determined, along with effects on nausea-like symptoms. The pancreatic effects of the repeated dose treatment were assessed by measuring %HbA1c in the circulation as well as pancreatic insulin and glucagon content and glucokinase activity.
Results: Combination treatment resulted in significant decreases in plasma leptin and ghrelin levels after repeated dosing. Omeprazole improved the anorectic and body weight-lowering effects and reversed the inhibitory effect of exendin-4 on gastrin levels after repeated dose treatment. The 14-day combination treatment significantly reduced glucose excursion and improved insulin levels, with a concomitant decrease in %HbA1c levels. It also improved glucokinase activity and pancreatic insulin content, with a significant decrease in glucagon content.
Conclusions: Combined treatment with omeprazole with exendin-4 reduces food intake and body weight gain, most likely through changes in plasma ghrelin and leptin levels, and improves pancreatic insulin and glucagon content by improving glucokinase activity.
© 2012 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd and Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine.