Exenatide mitigates inflammation and hypoxia along with improved angiogenesis in obese fat tissue

Obesity-associated chronic inflammation in adipose tissue is partly attributed to hypoxia with insufficient microcirculation. Previous studies have shown that exenatide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, plays an anti-inflammatory role. Here, we investigate its effects on inflammation, hypoxia and microcirculation in white adipose tissue of diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. DIO mice were injected intraperitoneally with exenatide or normal saline for 4 weeks, while mice on chow diet were used as normal controls. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, hypoxia-induced genes and angiogenic factors were detected. Capillary density was measured by laser confocal microscopy and immunochemistry staining. After 4-week exenatide administration, the dramatically elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum and adipose tissue and macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue of DIO mice were significantly reduced. Exenatide also ameliorated expressions of hypoxia-related genes in obese fat tissue. Protein levels of endothelial markers and pro-angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor 2 were augmented in accordance with increased capillary density by exenatide in DIO mice. Our results indicate that inflammation and hypoxia in adipose tissue can be mitigated by GLP-1 receptor agonist potentially via improved angiogenesis and microcirculation in obesity.