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Horm Metab Res 2021; 53(06): 402-407
DOI: 10.1055/a-1498-7098
Endocrine Care

A GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Inhibits Aldosterone Release in Healthy Volunteers

Keiu Heinla
1   Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
,
Eero Vasar
1   Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
,
Tuuli Sedman‡
1   Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
,
Vallo Volke‡
1   Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
2   Endocrinology Unit, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: Estonian Research Council (grant number IUT20-41) 668989
Supported by: EU Horizon 2020 668989
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Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are antidiabetic drugs with effects beyond antihyperglycemic action. The aim of the study was to examine whether a single dose of exenatide could be used as a stimulation test for the pituitary-adrenal axis. We carried out a single-group, open-label pilot clinical trial in an ambulatory setting. Ten healthy volunteers of both sexes with body weight>65 kg and age between 18–50 years were recruited. After fasting for 12 hours the subjects received 10 μg of exenatide solution subcutaneously. Blood samples were taken before the administration of exenatide and up to 150 minutes thereafter. The primary outcome was the maximal level of cortisol after the administration of exenatide. Single administration of exenatide 10 μg resulted in a modest increase in ACTH and cortisol levels, as compared to untreated values, and a decrease in blood glucose levels. Remarkably, a robust suppression of both renin and aldosterone levels occurred. We showed that acute administration of exenatide in a full therapeutic dose modestly stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis but inhibits the renin-aldosterone system. Further research is warranted to confirm this finding in the placebo-controlled study.

Key words

exenatide - cortisol - HPA axis - diabetes mellitus type 2

Supplementary material



Publication History

Received: 29 October 2020

Accepted after revision: 27 April 2021

Article published online:
21 June 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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