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Endocrine Abstracts (2013) 32 OC6.3 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.32.OC6.3

ECE2013 Oral Communications Diabetes & Obesity (6 abstracts)

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1): effect on kidney hemodynamics and renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system in healthy men

Jeppe Skov 1, , Anders Dejgaard 2 , Jørgen Frøkiær 1 , Jens Juul Holst 3 , Thomas Jonassen 3 , Søren Rittig 1 & Jens Sandahl Christiansen 1


1Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; 2Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsværd, Denmark; 3University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.


Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretine hormone with multiple actions besides control of glucose homeostasis. GLP-1 is known to cause natriuresis in humans but the effects on basic renal physiology are still partly unknown.

This study therefore aimed to demonstrate the effects of GLP-1 on kidney hemodynamics, electrolyte handling, and the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system in healthy men.

Twelve healthy young males were examined in a randomized, controlled, double-blinded, single-day, cross-over trial to evaluate the effects of two hours GLP-1 infusion on kidney functions. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) were assessed with 51Cr-EDTA and 123I-hippuran, respectively, using a constant infusion renal clearance technique based on timed urine sampling.

GLP-1 had no significant effect on either GFR (+1.9%, 95% CI (−0.8; 4.6%)) or RPF (+2.4%, 95% CI (−3.6; 8.8%)). Fractional urine excretion of lithium increased 9% (P=0.013) and renal sodium clearance increased 40% (P=0.007). Angiotensin II decreased 19% (P=0.003) while renin, aldosterone, and the urinary excretion of angiotensinogen showed no significant changes.

The results indicate that although GLP-1 markedly reduces proximal tubule sodium reabsorption, the acute effects on GFR and RPF are very limited in healthy humans. The finding of GLP-1’s ability to reduce angiotensin II concentration is novel and may play a part in the possible kidney protective properties of GLP-1.

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