Glucagon-like peptide-1 increases myocardial glucose uptake via p38alpha MAP kinase-mediated, nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms in conscious dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: We have shown that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1[7-36] amide) stimulates myocardial glucose uptake in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) independent of an insulinotropic effect. The cellular mechanisms of GLP-1-induced myocardial glucose uptake are unknown.

Methods And Results: Myocardial substrates and glucoregulatory hormones were measured in conscious, chronically instrumented dogs at control (n=6), DCM (n=9) and DCM after treatment with a 48-hour infusion of GLP-1 (7-36) amide (n=9) or vehicle (n=6).

Chronic glucagon-like peptide-1 infusion sustains left ventricular systolic function and prolongs survival in the spontaneously hypertensive, heart failure-prone rat.

Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) treatment leads to short-term improvements in myocardial function in ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy. It is unknown whether GLP-1 improves survival when administered over a longer time period. Spontaneously hypertensive, heart failure-prone (SHHF) rats progress to advanced heart failure and death over a 15-month period.

Aging is associated with myocardial insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Aging is associated with insulin resistance, often attributable to obesity and inactivity. Recent evidence suggests that skeletal muscle insulin resistance in aging is associated with mitochondrial alterations. Whether this is true of the senescent myocardium is unknown.

Direct effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 on myocardial contractility and glucose uptake in normal and postischemic isolated rat hearts.

Recent evidence suggests that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) enhances recovery of left ventricular (LV) function after transient coronary artery occlusion. However, it is uncertain whether GLP-1 has direct effects on normal or ischemic myocardium and whether the mechanism involves increased myocardial glucose uptake. LV function and myocardial glucose uptake and lactate production were measured under basal conditions and after 30 min of low-flow ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion in the presence and absence of GLP-1-(7-36) amide.