Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) reduces mortality and improves lung function in a model of experimental obstructive lung disease in female mice

The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an important insulin secretagogue and GLP-1 analogues are used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 displays anti-inflammatory and surfactant releasing effects. Thus, we hypothesize that treatment with GLP-1 analogues will improve pulmonary function in a mouse model of obstructive lung disease. Female mice were sensitized with injected ovalbumin and treated with GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists. Exacerbation was induced with inhalations of ovalbumin and lipopolysaccharide. Lung function was evaluated with measurement of enhanced pause (Penh) in a whole body plethysmograph. mRNA levels of GLP-1R, surfactants (SFTPs), and a number of inflammatory markers were measured. GLP-1R was highly expressed in lung tissue. Mice treated with GLP-1R agonists had a noticeably better clinical appearance than the control group. Penh increased dramatically at day 17 in all control mice but the increase was significantly less in the groups of GLP-1R agonist treated mice (p