Liraglutide decreases carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes: 8-month prospective pilot study

Manfredi Rizzo, Manisha Chandalia, Angelo M. Patti, Vittoria Di Bartolo, Ali A. Rizvi, Giuseppe Montalto, Nicola Abate

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Liraglutide, a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, has several non- glycemic properties, but its effect on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a recognized marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, is still unknown.Methods: A prospective study of 8 months duration in 64 patients with type-2 diabetes and no prior history of coronary artery disease evaluated whether adding liraglutide to metformin affects carotid IMT, measured by color doppler ultrasound.Results: After 8 months, fasting glucose decreased by 2.1 mmol/l and HbA1c by 1.9% (p < 0.01 for all). Liraglutide reduced total-cholesterol and triglycerides by 10%, and LDL-cholesterol by 19%, whereas HDL-cholesterol increased by 18% (p < 0.01 for all lipid changes). Carotid IMT decreased from 1.19 ± 0.47 to 0.94 ± 0.21 mm (p < 0.01). Yet, changes in carotid IMT did not correlate with changes in any other variable studied.Conclusions: Liraglutide decreases carotid IMT after 8 months treatment independently of its effect on plasma glucose and lipids concentrations.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01715428.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number49
JournalCardiovascular Diabetology
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 22 2014

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular risk
  • Carotid intima-media thickness
  • Liraglutide
  • Type2 diabetes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Liraglutide decreases carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes: 8-month prospective pilot study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this