title: Short-term effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists on fat distribution in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: an ultrasonography study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) induce weight loss and reduction in adipose tissue, but the effects of GLP-1 RA on the distribution of fat deposits have been poorly investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 25 patients with type 2 diabetes (16 females and 9 males, mean age 63.5 ± 8.8 years), treated with GLP-1 RA (exenatide, n. 12; liraglutide, n.13), both before and 3 months after starting treatment, an abdominal ultrasonographic scan, with Doppler of renal arteries, and echocardiography were performed. Subcutaneous fat width (peri-umbilical and sub-xiphoid), deep fat deposits (pre-aortic, peri-renal, and epicardial), and renal resistive index (RI) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GLP-1 RA induced highly significant (p < 0.001) decrease in BMI and in fat thickness at all the assessed sites, without differences between exenatide and liraglutide treatment. A slight decrease in RI (p = 0.055) was also found. The percent changes of fat thickness was different between sites (p < 0.025), and the changes in subcutaneous deposits showed no significant correlation (p = 0.064) with those of deep fat deposits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A short course of treatment with GLP-1 RA, besides weight loss, induces a redistribution of adipose tissue deposits, possibly contributing to a better cardiovascular risk profile in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy, susanna.morano@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morano
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Filardi
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nieddu
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mandosi
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fallarino
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Turinese
authors.forename: Mariangela Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Dagostino
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lenzi
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carnevale
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004452:Echocardiography; D000077270:Exenatide; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069450:Liraglutide / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014688:Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000097789:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
chemical_list: D000077270:Exenatide; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000069450:Liraglutide; D010455:Peptides; D014688:Venoms; D000097789:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists; C000593833:GLP1R protein, human; D000067757:Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor