Liraglutide Lowers Body Weight Set Point in DIO Rats and its Relationship with Hypothalamic Microglia Activation

This study aimed to investigate the effects of liraglutide on the body weight set point (BWSP) in diet-induced obese rats and to determine the relationship between BWSP and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) microglial activation.

Diet-induced obesity (DIO) rats were divided into three groups: continuous high-fat diet (HFD) plus saline, HFD with liraglutide, and HFD with liraglutide pair feeding. Body weight, BWSP, inflammatory cytokines, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, orexigenic/anorexigenic proteins, apoptosis, and microglia in the ARC were assessed. The effect of liraglutide on the Notch-1 signaling pathway and its relationships with  nuclear factor-κB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase were also investigated in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglia activation model.

Liraglutide reduced BWSP; reversed adverse changes in hypothalamic inflammation, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, and apoptosis; and diminished microgliosis in DIO rats. The BWSP showed a linear correlation with ARC microglial density. Liraglutide inhibited LPS-induced M1 microglial polarization and promoted microglial polarization to the M2 phenotype, diminishing inflammatory cytokine expression. Liraglutide inhibited Notch-1 signaling pathway activation and decreased nuclear factor-κB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation in LPS-stimulated microglia.

Liraglutide can reduce BWSP in DIO rats. There is a linear correlation between hypothalamic microgliosis and BWSP. Liraglutide reduces excessive microglial activation and inflammation, which may contribute to BWSP reduction.