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The GLP-1 medicines semaglutide and tirzepatide do not alter disease-related pathology, behaviour or cognitive function in 5XFAD and APP/PS1 mice.

Molecular metabolism
November 1, 2024
Leticia Forny Germano et al. (9 authors)
Journal ArticleAnimal Study
Extracted Claims (17)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
semaglutide
decrease
body weight
12-month-old male and female 5XFAD and APP/PS1 mice
-
reduced
#1
semaglutide
increase
glucose tolerance
12-month-old male and female 5XFAD and APP/PS1 mice
-
improved
#2
semaglutide
no change
amyloid plaque density
12-month-old 5XFAD and APP/PS1 mice
-
was not different
#3
semaglutide
no change
IBA1 and GFAP expression
5XFAD and APP/PS1 mice
-
were not reduced
#4
semaglutide
no change
parameters of neurobehavioral and cognitive function
-
-
were not improved
#5
semaglutide
no change
the extent of plaque accumulation
6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice
-
modified
#6
semaglutide
no change
hippocampal IBA1+ or GFAP+ cells
6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice
-
modified
#7
semaglutide
no change
parameters of neurobehavioral testing
6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice
-
modified
#8
semaglutide
increase
glucose tolerance
6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice
-
improving
#9
semaglutide
decrease
body weight
6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice
-
reducing
#10
semaglutide
no change
mRNA biomarkers of inflammation and neurodegeneration
male and female 5XFAD mice
-
were not reduced
#11
tirzepatide
no change
the extent of plaque accumulation
6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice
-
modified
#12
tirzepatide
no change
hippocampal IBA1+ or GFAP+ cells
6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice
-
modified
#13
tirzepatide
no change
parameters of neurobehavioral testing
6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice
-
modified
#14
tirzepatide
increase
glucose tolerance
6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice
-
improving
#15
tirzepatide
decrease
body weight
6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice
-
reducing
#16
tirzepatide
no change
mRNA biomarkers of inflammation and neurodegeneration
male and female 5XFAD mice
-
were not reduced
#17
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The development of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity has been accompanied by evidence for anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective actions in the heart, blood vessels, kidney, and brain. Whether GLP-1R agonists might be useful clinically for attenuating deterioration of cognitive dysfunction and reducing the progression of Alzheimer's disease remains uncertain. METHODS: Here we evaluated the actions of semaglutide and tirzepatide, clinically distinct GLP-1 medicines, in two mouse models of neurodegeneration. RESULTS: Semaglutide reduced body weight and improved glucose tolerance in 12-month-old male and female 5XFAD and APP/PS1 mice, consistent with pharmacological engagement of the GLP-1R. Nevertheless, amyloid plaque density was not different in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, or subiculum of semaglutide-treated 12-month-old 5XFAD and APP/PS1 mice. IBA1 and GFAP expression were increased in the hippocampus of 5XFAD and APP/PS1 mice but were not reduced by semaglutide. Moreover, parameters of neurobehavioral and cognitive function evaluated using Open Field testing or the Morris water maze were not improved following treatment with semaglutide. To explore whether incretin therapies might be more effective in younger mice, we studied semaglutide and tirzepatide action in 6-month-old male and female 5XFAD mice. Neither semaglutide nor tirzepatide modified the extent of plaque accumulation, hippocampal IBA1+ or GFAP+ cells, or parameters of neurobehavioral testing, despite improving glucose tolerance and reducing body weight. mRNA biomarkers of inflammation and neurodegeneration were increased in the hippocampus of male and female 5XFAD mice but were not reduced after treatment with semaglutide or tirzepatide. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings reveal preservation of the metabolic actions of two GLP-1 medicines, semaglutide and tirzepatide, yet inability to detect improvement in structural and functional parameters of neurodegeneration in two mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsMiceGlucagon-Like PeptidesMaleFemaleAlzheimer DiseaseMice, TransgenicCognitionDisease Models, AnimalGlucagon-Like Peptide-1 ReceptorPlaque, AmyloidCognitive DysfunctionGlucagon-Like Peptide 1Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
Study Links
PubMed ID39216535
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