Objective: To investigate the effect of
liraglutide on
glucagon release in obese
type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: A multi-center, prospective, and self-comparison study was conducted in four hospitals in Qingdao. Twenty-four patients with T2DM were selected and treated with
liraglutide for 12 weeks.
Glucagon levels before and
after treatment were detected before and 30 min, 60 min and 120 min after meals. Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, the overall level of
glucagon decreased, in which the differences in
glucagon levels at 30 min [(220±79) ng/L vs. (203±77) ng/L, P<0.05] and 60 min [(248±119) ng/L vs. (203±82)ng/L, P<0.05] reached significance, respectively, comparing to those before treatment. The area under the curve of
glucagon after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment (438±190 vs. 389±153, P<0.05). In contrast,
after treatment, the overall level of
C-peptide increased, especially the levels at 30 min [(1.53±1.02) nmol/L vs.(2.03±1.29) nmol/L], 60 min [(1.93±1.19) nmol/L vs. (2.48±1.75) nmol/L] and 120 min [(2.36±1.47) nmol/L vs. (2.96±1.84) nmol/L], all P<0.05. The area under
C-peptide curve increased significantly (3.6±2.2 vs. 4.6±2.9, P<0.05). Fasting plasma
glucose, postprandial 2 h plasma
glucose and
glycosylated hemoglobin A1c were all lower than before, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Waist circumference and body mass index were significantly lower than before (P<0.05). The amount of
insulin used for the treatment decreased by approximately 55.1% compared with that before
liraglutide, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions:
Liraglutide inhibits
glucagon secretion and lowers
blood glucose. It can also reduce
body weight, improve islet cell function and reduce
insulin use in T2DM.