GLP-1RA Liraglutide and Semaglutide Improves Obesity-Induced Muscle Atrophy via SIRT1 Pathway

Jie Xiang; Liyan Qin; Jinling Zhong; Ning Xia; Yuzhen Liang

doi:10.2147/DMSO.S425642

GLP-1RA Liraglutide and Semaglutide Improves Obesity-Induced Muscle Atrophy via SIRT1 Pathway

Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2023 Aug 15:16:2433-2446. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S425642. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Jie Xiang¹, Liyan Qin², Jinling Zhong³, Ning Xia², Yuzhen Liang³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Nutrition, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China.
² Department of Geriatric Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China.
³ Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People's Republic of China.

Abstract

Background: Obesity is related to the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function (sarcopenia). The co-existence of obesity and sarcopenia is called sarcopenic obesity (SO). Glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are widely used in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. However, the protective effects of GLP-1RA on skeletal muscle in obesity and SO are not clear. This study investigated the effects of GLP-1RA liraglutide and semaglutide on obesity-induced muscle atrophy and explored the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Thirty-six male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups and fed a regular diet and a high-fat diet for 18 weeks, respectively. After establishing an obesity model, mice were further divided into six groups: control group, liraglutide (LIRA) group, semaglutide (SEMA) group, high-fat diet (HFD) group, HFD + LIRA group, HFD + SEMA group, and subcutaneous injection for 4 weeks. The body weight, muscle mass, muscle strength, glycolipid metabolism, muscle atrophy markers, myogenic differentiation markers, GLUT4 and SIRT1 were analyzed. C2C12 myotube cells treated with palmitic acid (PA) were divided into four groups: control group, PA group, PA + LIRA group, PA + SEMA group. The changes in glucose uptake, myotube diameter, lipid droplet infiltration, markers of muscle atrophy, myogenic differentiation markers, GLUT4 and SIRT1 were analyzed, and the changes in related indicators were observed after the addition of SIRT1 inhibitor EX527.

Results: Liraglutide and semaglutide reduced HFD-induced body weight gain, excessive lipid accumulation and improved muscle atrophy. Liraglutide and semaglutide eliminated the increase of muscle atrophy markers in skeletal muscle and C2C12 myotubes. Liraglutide and semaglutide restored impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. However, these beneficial effects were attenuated by inhibiting SIRT1 expression.

Conclusion: Liraglutide and semaglutide protects skeletal muscle against obesity-induced muscle atrophy via the SIRT1 pathway.

Keywords: SIRT1; insulin resistance; liraglutide; muscle atrophy; obesity; semaglutide.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 8176030057) and Guangxi Natural Science Foundation (No.2017GXNSFDA198010).