Obesity is associated with differences in satiety, gastric emptying (GE), gastric volume, and psychological traits.
Exenatide, a short-acting
glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, is associated with variable
weight loss. We compared the effects of
exenatide, 5 μg, and placebo SQ, twice daily for 30 days on GE of solids and liquids (scintigraphy), satiety (ad libitum buffet meal), satiation (nutrient drink test, maximum tolerated volume [MTV]), and
weight loss in 20 participants with documented accelerated GE of solids (T1/2 < 90 min).
Exenatide delayed GE of solids (T1/2 [Δ] 86 min relative to placebo, P < 0.001) and reduced calorie intake at buffet meal ([Δ] 129 kcal compared to placebo). Median
weight loss was -0.95 kg (IQR -0.7 to -2.1) for
exenatide and -0.55 kg (0.3 to -2.1) for placebo (P = 0.23); 80% of
exenatide group had documented reduction in weight. In the
exenatide treatment group, there was an inverse correlation between gastric emptying T1/2 and MTV (R = -0.548, P = 0.089). The univariate association of weight change with posttreatment MTV was borderline (Rs = 0.43, P = 0.06); in the multiple regression model, posttreatment MTV was associated with weight change (P = 0.047). The effect of the short-acting
GLP-1 receptor agonist,
exenatide, on GE is associated with the change in food intake, and the latter impacts
weight loss in response to
exenatide treatment.