Effect of the GLP-1 receptor agonist exenatide on pro-inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers in individuals with alcohol use disorder: Post hoc results from a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been associated with inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and increased risk of all-cause mortality. This study aimed to compare the pro-inflammatory and metabolic biomarker profiles in individuals with AUD with individuals without AUD, and to evaluate the effect of exenatide on these biomarkers in individuals with AUD.

METHODS

Serum concentrations of 25 biomarkers (interferon-γ [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1], C-peptide, gastric inhibitory polypeptide [GIP], glucagon-like peptide [GLP-1], glucagon, insulin, leptin, pancreatic polypeptide [PP], adiponectin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP], fibroblast growth factor 21 [FGF-21], total cholesterol [CHOL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], and triglycerides [TG]) from individuals with AUD were measured at baseline and after 26 weeks of treatment with the GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) exenatide once-weekly or placebo, using multiplexed immunoassays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and line immunoassays. Serum samples from 23 individuals with no record of AUD or treatment with a GLP-1RA were measured once for comparison with individuals with AUD.

RESULTS

IL-6 (1.56 vs. 0.62 pg/mL), hsCRP (3.30 vs. 1.34 mg/L), and FGF-21 (1794.97 vs. 306.11 pg/mL) were significantly higher, whereas GIP (63.06 vs. 111.07 pg/mL) was significantly lower in individuals with AUD (n = 124) than in those without AUD (n = 23). No significant changes in biomarker levels were observed after treatment with exenatide (n = 40) compared with treatment with placebo (n = 37).

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the well-established link between AUD and inflammation. However, treatment with the GLP-1 receptor agonist exenatide did not impact pro-inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers.