The Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Dipeptydilpeptidase-4 Inhibitors on Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Complications in Diabetes

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are a class of newly introduced antidiabetic medications that potentially lower blood glucose by several molecular pathways. DPP-4 inhibitors are the other type of novel antidiabetic medications which act by preventing GLP-1 inactivation and thereby increasing the activity levels of GLP-1, leading to more glucose-induced insulin release from islet β-cells and suppression of glucagon release. Most patients with diabetes have concurrent hypertension and cardiovascular disorder. If antihyperglycemic agents can attenuate the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, they will amplify their overall beneficial effects. There is conflicting evidence on the cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1R induction in laboratory studies and clinical trials. In this study, we have reviewed the main molecular mechanisms by which GLP-1R induction may modulate the cardiovascular function and the results of cardiovascular outcome clinical trials.

1. Introduction

The global incidence of diabetes mellitus is growing rapidly [1]. This chronic disorder is accompanied by metabolic derangements and activation of various pathophysiologic pathways leading to tissue dysfunction [2]. Nowadays, diabetes complications are a leading cause of disability and mortality, especially in the elderly worldwide [3]. Hence, various therapeutic guidelines and antidiabetic agents have been developed for normalising blood glucose and preventing diabetes-related complications [4, 5]. Diabetes complications are classified mainly as microvascular and macrovascular complications, both of which are worsened by hemodynamic variations and increased blood pressure (BP) [6, 7].

Moreover, it is well established that hypertension coexists in a significant proportion of patients with diabetes [8, 9]. Hence, if an antidiabetic medication modulates hemodynamic changes and normalises hypertension, it can be more beneficial against diabetes-related complications [10]. While we have some evidence about the effects of classic antidiabetic agents on hemodynamic variations [11–13], there is not much literature about antihyperglycemic medications. Therefore, in this current study, we present the latest evidence about glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and dipeptydilpeptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), which are a relatively newer class of antihyperglycemic agents on hypertension in the diabetic milieu.

2. GLP-1RA and DPP-4i

GLP-1RA is a class of newly introduced antidiabetic medications that are FDA approved in 2010 to manage patients with diabetes [9]. They act as an agonist to GLP-1 receptors and mimic the effects of incretin hormones [14, 15]. Incretin is a family of metabolic hormones that includes intestinal GLP-1 and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) and reduces postprandial blood glucose by inhibiting glucagon secretion from pancreatic α-cells and stimulating insulin release from β-cell in a blood glucose-dependent manner [14, 16, 17]. Moreover, they can provide additional effects such as delayed gastric emptying, suppression of appetite, declining nutrient absorption in the gut, improvement of lipid metabolism, and inhibition of pancreatic β-cell apoptosis [16, 18–25]. These antihyperglycemic agents activate their specific receptor known as GLP-1R, predominantly located in pancreatic β-cell [17]. GLP-1R is a member of G protein-coupled receptors. Its activation is followed by higher production of cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate), cellular depolarisation, and augmentation in intracellular calcium concentration insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells [17, 26].

DPP-4 inhibitors are the other type of novel antidiabetic medications which act by preventing GLP-1 inactivation and thereby increasing the activity levels of GLP-1, leading to more glucose-induced insulin release from islet β-cells and suppression of glucagon release [27, 28]. After posttranslational processing of preglucagon (PG) peptides in intestinal L cells, at least four separate forms of PG were secreted, all of which can be inactivated by the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) enzyme by removing the two amino acids from the N-terminal residue [29]. Therefore, the DPP-4 inhibitors have the same antihyperglycemic effects as GLP-1 agonists, although they have some differences in body weight and risk of adverse effects [27].

3. Classification of Diabetes Mellitus

The two major diabetes mellitus (DM) are type 1 and type 2 diabetes [30]. Type 1 DM (T1DM) accounts for about 5-10% of all patients with diabetes and results from autoimmune destruction of beta-cells of the pancreas and absolute deficiency of insulin [30]. Type 2 DM (T2DM) (NIDDM) is the most prevalent form of DM, which accounts for about 90-95% of diabetic subjects and is mainly associated with various pathologies, including insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction [30]. Gestational diabetes is another type of DM that happens in pregnant women mainly via hormonal variation-induced insulin resistance in pregnancy [31]. Other forms of DM are maturity-onset diabetes of young with autosomal dominant inheritance, LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults), which is primarily considered one subclass of TIDM and secondary diabetes due to other pathologies such as chronic pancreatitis and secondary to medications such as steroids. [32].

4. Diabetes and Vascular Disease

Alteration in vascular homeostasis due to smooth muscle and endothelial cell dysfunction is the main cause of vascular disease associated with diabetes. Both macro- and microvascular diabetes complications are primarily due to prolonged exposure to high glucose level which also clusters other problems such as hypertension [33]. Initially, hyperglycemia leads to an imbalance between nitric oxide (NO) produced by the endothelial cell and the reactive oxygen species (ROS). NO is an indicative of vascular health and causes vasodilation by its effect on the vascular smooth muscle cells. The reduction in endothelial-derived NO increases the proinflammatory cytokines resulting in endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, hyperglycemia also increases the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which in turn deactivate NO and induce vascular dysfunction [34].

5. Hypertension as a Main Upstream Event in Diabetes Complications

Many forms of diabetes complications such as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, stroke, and DM-related cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis are closely associated with hemodynamic variations and hypertension [35]. Emerging studies have well demonstrated that the simultaneous presence of hypertension is a main upstream event and potent risk factor which can induce or exacerbate the progression of diabetes complications [35, 36]. For example, Grzeszczak et al. reported that extensive uncontrolled hemodynamic aberrations accompany diabetic nephropathy due to the morphological and functional alteration in the kidneys and systemic and intraglomerular hypertension in patients with diabetes [37]. However, glomerular hyperfiltration which is considered a hemodynamic abnormality in kidneys also acts as an independent risk factor for diabetic nephropathy in patients with diabetes [38, 39].

Moreover, hypertension (HTN) in patients with diabetes is associated with cardiovascular complications and atherosclerosis, which markedly increase the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction [40–42]. Likewise, other prevalent forms of diabetes complications such as diabetic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy are potentially influenced by molecular pathways induced by hemodynamic changes and systemic hypertension [10, 35, 43, 44]. Therefore, the management of hypertension in patients with diabetes is of crucial importance for researchers and physicians [10].

6. The Molecular Mechanism and Signalling Pathway by Which GLP-1RAs and DPP-4is Exert Their Effects

There is significant evidence that GLP-1RAs and DPP-4i enhance the insulin activity and the glucose uptake in animal and human muscle [45]. It has been proposed that GLP-1 enhances glucose disposal in an insulin-independent mechanism [46]. The GLP-1 receptors are expressed in the brain and β-cells of the pancreas where GLP-1 exerts multiple actions. In the pancreas, it stimulates insulin secretion by many molecular pathways including the release of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) by activating β-arrestin-1 (βARR1), activates the voltage Ca²⁺ channels, and induces the Ca²⁺ influx which raises the intracellular Ca²⁺ and stimulates the insulin release [47, 48]. GLP-1 also stimulates β-cell proliferation by downregulating PI3-K, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and p38, [49–51]. There is evidence suggesting that GLP-1 possesses anti-inflammatory properties. It suppresses inflammation by reducing secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor-β (TNF-β), and interleukin (IL) [52]. Moreover, GLP-1RAs reduce the stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by modulating the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum (PERK) pathway and activate the transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and CHOP (C/EBP homologous protein) [53]. There is growing evidence that GLP-1 A reverses the vascular remodelling by downregulating the matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and nuclear factor kappa-β (NF-Kβ) [54]. Therefore, via this mechanism, GLP-1RAs are reducing cardiac and vascular inflammation.

7. Possible Links between GLP-1RA and DDP-4i and Blood Pressure

Some evidence suggested that GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4i can influence the hemodynamic state and modify BP [55–57]. We have reviewed all possible mechanisms associated with this class of agents and hemodynamics in the following sections (Table 1). Since these two antidiabetic agents have the same basis of molecular effects, we have reviewed them together.

Table 1.

Mechanisms by which GLP-1 modulates the cardiovascular system and blood pressure.

Mechanisms	Effects of GLP-1R and DPP-4i on the cardiovascular system and blood pressure	Ref.
Vascular endothelial function	Improves function of vascular endothelial cells	[58, 60–62]
Heart rate	Increases heart rate leading to higher blood pressure	[66–69]
Oxidative stress	Improves redox state leading to the promoted function of the cardiovascular system; little is known about the direct effect on the cardiovascular system and blood pressure	[58, 59, 74–78]
Nitric oxide	Induces nitric oxide production in vascular endothelial cells	[80–84]
Central nervous system	Activates the sympathetic nervous system leading to a higher heart rate and blood pressure	[66, 85, 86, 88]
Renal function	Indirectly improves cardiovascular function by promoting renal sufficiency	[90–96]
Pulmonary artery pressure	Declines pulmonary artery pressure	[97–101]
Renin-angiotensin system	Modulates the renin-angiotensin system, needs more investigations yet	[86, 104]

8. GLP-1RA and DPP-4i and Vascular Endothelial Function

Vascular endothelial cells have a significant role in the homeostasis of cardiovascular function and BP homeostasis [58, 59]. GLP-1 agonists may improve vascular endothelial function in the diabetic milieu [58, 60, 61]. In a study by Basu et al., it was found that GLP-1 stimulated acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation, improved vascular relaxation, reduced diastolic BP, and has direct beneficial effects on endothelial function in patients with T1DM [61]. Similarly, Liu et al. reported that GLP-1 agonists improve endothelial cell function and regulate vascular contractions by promoting nitric oxide (NO) release and suppressing oxidative stress [58]. On the other hand, Ceriello et al. demonstrated that GLP-1 agonists attenuated endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with T1DM [59]. Also, Liu and coworkers demonstrated that DPP-4i reduced BP by improving endothelial function in hypertensive rats [62]. So improvement of endothelial function can be a way for GLP-1 agonists to normalise BP [61].

However, not all studies showed beneficial effects [63]. For example, Widlansky et al. demonstrated that DPP-4i has no significant acute effect on endothelial dysfunction in patients with T2DM [63]. While Romacho et al. reported that DPP-4i improves endothelial function by activation of PAR2 (protease-activated receptor 2) and release of thromboxane-A2 in mice [64], Nomoto et al. provided evidence indicating that DPP-4i does not improve endothelial dysfunction [65], suggesting that more evidence is needed to show beneficial effects of these agents on endothelial function.

9. GLP-1RA and DPP-4i and Heart Rate

There is growing evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists may increase the heart rate (HR) [66–69]; however, some studies suggest no significant effects [61, 63]. On the other hand, most of this evidence relied on the positive chronotropic effect of these drugs on HR and suggested that this may be due to modulating the autonomic nervous system, leading to more sympathetic activity [61, 63, 66, 70].

10. GLP-1RA and DPP-4i and Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress due to free radical overload is a main upstream event in many pathologic conditions, including (HTN) [71–73]. Some evidence indicated that GLP-1 receptor activation might improve oxidative stress [74]. This could be mediated via inhibition of free radical generation by cyclooxygenase 2 and/or NADPH oxidase downregulation of the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway [58, 59, 75]. Also, they may protect against oxidative damage in vascular cells via inhibition of PKC-α (protein kinase c-α) and NF-κb (nuclear factor kappa b) signalling and activation of the Nrf2 nuclear factor and upregulation of protective antioxidative enzymes such as SOD (superoxide dismutase) and CAT (catalase) [76].

However, there is only minimal direct evidence about the effects of GLP-1 on oxidative stress-induced HTN [77]. Koren and coworkers demonstrated that sitagliptin ameliorated oxidative stress in vascular cells without remarkable effects on BP [77]. Also, Alam et al. demonstrated that sitagliptin inhibits oxidative stress in vascular cells and improves arterial function of the kidneys and heart of rats [78]. Further evidence is still required to elucidate the exact role of GLP-1 induction in oxidative stress-dependent hypertension.

11. GLP-1RA and DPP-4i and Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in vascular homeostasis and the normal physiologic function of the cardiovascular system [79]. Liu et al. demonstrated that GLP-1 receptor activation protects endothelial cells by upregulating NO synthesis [58]. Ding and Zhang showed that the GLP-1 agonist induced NO mRNA expression and improved NO synthesis in endothelial cells of the umbilical vein [80]. Also, Chai et al. found that GLP-1 receptor activity is associated with endothelial NO synthesis and improvement in microvascular blood flow [81]. Moreover, Dong and colleagues reported that GLP-1 acutely stimulated eNOS phosphorylation at Ser¹¹⁷⁷ and NO production by a PKA-dependent pathway, leading to improved microvascular muscle blood flow [82].

We have similar evidence concerning DPP-4i and NO synthesis [83]. Mason et al. illustrated that DPP-4 inhibition with saxagliptin reduced BP by enhancing NO levels in hypertensive rats [83]. Also, Al-Awar and coworkers reported that sitagliptin, one of the DPP-4is, improved vascular function and reduced BP by NO-dependent molecular mechanisms in rats [84]. So we suggest that GLP-1 induction by either agonists or DPP-4i results in more NO synthesis leading to better vascular smooth muscle cell function and lower levels of BP [82, 84].

12. GLP-1RA and DPP-4i and Central Nervous System

Central nervous system (CNS) activity, especially the autonomic nervous system (ANS), has a prominent role in cardiovascular function and control of BP [67]. Emerging evidence strongly suggests that GLP-1 receptor activation increases sympathetic activity and HR elevation leading to hypertension [66, 67]. GLP-1R expressed in many regions of CNS is involved in the lateral septum, the posterodorsal tegmental nucleus, the thalamus and hypothalamus, the subcortical organ, the area postrema, the interpeduncular nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract, and the inferior olive, and so, its activity makes potent inotropic effects leading to more HR and BP [85, 86].

Andrews et al. demonstrated that the GLP-1 agonist of exendin-4 induced sympathetic activity and suppressed vagal nerves in human [87]. Also, Nakatani and coworkers reported that GLP-1R stimulation by liraglutide induces sympathetic activity and increases HR and BP in patients with T2DM [66]. Marney et al. provided the same evidence about DPP-4i, indicating that they intensify sympathetic activity in human [88]. So it is strongly suggested that GLP-1R induction increases ANS activity and elevates BP [66, 88].

13. GLP-1RA and DPP-4i and Renal Function

A healthy renal system is required for the normal function of the cardiovascular system and maintaining physiologic BP [89]. Renal dysfunctions accompany many cases of HTN, and improvement in renal function improves the cardiovascular outcome [89]. Recent evidence suggests that GLP-1R activation may modulate water and electrolyte homeostasis and improve renal microvascular function in the diabetic milieu [90]. Marney and colleagues demonstrated that sitagliptin improved renal blood flow in the diabetic milieu [88]. Boye et al. reported that GLP-1R induction was accompanied by a slower deterioration in eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) than that of other antihyperglycemic agents [91].

Dieter et al. provided strong evidence on GLP-1R stimulation improving renal function by mechanisms beyond controlling hyperglycemia such as anti-inflammation and natriuresis in patients with diabetes [92]. Liu et al. showed that exenatide decreased BP by improving renal impairment in hypertensive rats [62]. Also, Hirata and Kume found that exendin-4 improved renal sufficiency and ameliorated HTN in angiotensin-induced hypertensive rats [93]. Moreover, Liu and coworkers demonstrated that the GLP-1 agonist reduced BP by improving renal function in hypertensive rats [94]. Said and coworkers established that DPP-4i with alogliptin reduced BP by improving renal sufficiency in patients with T2DM [95]. Alter et al. demonstrated that DPP-4 inhibition in hypertensive rats normalised BP by improving renal function [96]. This evidence strongly suggests that GLP-1R induction can improve BP control at least partly via improvement in renal sufficiency [94, 96].

14. GLP-1RA and DPP-4i and Pulmonary Artery Pressure

Recent evidence suggests that GLP-1 receptor activation could potentially reduce pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in patients with diabetes [97]. Lee and colleagues found that liraglutide reduces PAP via eNOS/sGC/PKG and rho kinase pathways in diabetic rats (soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), protein kinase G (PKG)) [97]. Woo et al. demonstrated that exenatide diminished pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and improved coronary blood flow in patients with T2DM who have cardiovascular disorders [98]. Pirozzi and Diaz presented a case report implying that DPP-4 inhibition with vildagliptin reduces PAP by NO synthesis induction and vascular potassium channel activation [99].

Honda and coworkers showed that the GLP-1R agonist prevents hypoxia-dependent HTN in pulmonary vessels of mice [100]. Further evidence has been provided by Hosokawa and coworkers in 2014, where they indicated that incretin drugs of GLP-1 agonists or DPP-4i could potentially modulate PAP in the hypertensive milieu [101]. Hence, part of the beneficial cardiovascular effects of these agents could potentially be mediated by modulating the pulmonary arterial pressure [101].

15. GLP-1RA and DPP-4i and Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS)

It has been shown that GLP-1R activation can potentially interact with RAS activity [102]. Skov et al. provided the first evidence showing that GLP-1 infusion declined angiotensin II and induced natriuresis in healthy young men [102]. Le et al. demonstrated that GLP-1R activation by exendin-4 declined intrarenal RAS activity, leading to a lower Ang II-mediated TGF-β1/Smad3 signalling pathway in mice (transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1), SMAD family member 3 (Smad3)) [103].

However, recent studies did not show similar effects by DPP-4 inhibitors [104]. Hubers et al. reported that DPP-4 inhibition could induce vasoconstriction in patients with T2DM [104]. Also, Cooper et al. suggested that concomitant use of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors and DPP-4i potentiates their effect on RAS activity [105]. More studies are needed to elucidate the possible relationships between RAS activity and GLP-1R agonists and DPP-4i.

16. Other Possible Effects

In addition to the pathways mentioned above, the other potential mechanisms suggested are ANP release induction [106], natriuresis induction [90, 92, 102, 107], anti-inflammatory effects [92], improvement in lipid metabolism, and lower risk for atherosclerosis [108]. The exact roles of these agents on the cardiovascular system and BP need to be elucidated in further studies (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

The mechanism by which GLP-1RA and DPP-4i act on various organs.

17. GLP-1RA and DPP-4i and Cardiovascular Disease in Clinical Trials

This section reviewed the clinical studies on the effects of the GLP-1R agonist on cardiovascular diseases in healthy individuals and patients with diabetes (Table 2).

Table 2.

Significant clinical findings on the effects of GLP-1R activation on the cardiovascular system and blood pressure.

Trial number	Population of study	Used drug(s)	Effects on vascular function and BP	Ref.
—	30 patients with T1DM	GLP-1 infusion	Improves endothelial function, no significant effects on BP	[59]
NCT01859793	38 patients with T2DM	Sitagliptin	No significant effects on BP	[63]
UMIN000017770	60 patients with T2DM	Liraglutide and lixisenatide	Increase in HR and BP	[66]
NIHMS360699	24 patients with metabolic syndrome	Sitagliptin	Induces ANS (sympathetic) activity and increases BP	[88]
—	76 patients with T2DM	Alogliptin	Reduced BP by improving renal sufficiency	[95]
NCT01580514	58 patients with T2DM and cardiac dysfunction	Exenatide	Diminishes pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and improved coronary blood flow	[98]
NTC00294723	746 patients with early T2DM	Liraglutide	Potentially reduces blood pressure after 52 weeks	[109]
NCT00331851	581 patients with T2DM	Liraglutide	Has no significant effects on systolic blood pressure	[110]
—	929 patients with T2DM	Liraglutide	Reduced systolic blood pressure	[111]
NCT01333163	12 healthy young men	GLP-1 infusion	Declined angiotensin II and induces natriuresis	[102]
NCT01179048	9340 patients with T2DM	Liraglutide	Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disorders	[112]
NCT02465515	9463 patients with T2DM	Albiglutide	Diminishes the risk of diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications	[113]
NCT01147250	6068 patients with T2DM	Lixisenatide	No significant effects on diabetes-induced cardiovascular diseases	[114]
NCT01144338	14752 patients with T2DM	Exenatide	No significant effects on diabetes-induced cardiovascular diseases	[115]
NCT01755572	22 hypertensive subjects with T2DM	Liraglutide	While inducing natriuresis, it had no significant effects on blood pressure	[99]
NCT01664676	11 male patients with T2DM	Liraglutide	Reduces blood pressure in the short term by suppressing RAS activity and renal protection	[101]
—	11 subjects with T2DM	Liraglutide	Was unable to correct the abnormal elevation in nocturnal BP known to occur in patients with T2DM	[104]
NCT01720446	3297 patients with T2DM	Semaglutide	Reduces the risk of diabetes-induced cardiovascular problems	[116]

18. Conclusion

GLP-1R induction provides potent antihyperglycemic effects. However, there is conflicting evidence on their possible roles in cardiovascular disorders. It improves endothelial cell function and regulates vascular contractions by promoting nitric oxide release and suppressing oxidative stress. Both GLP-1 and DPP4is have significant effects on the autonomic nervous system by increasing sympathetic activity. Moreover, they also improve renal function in patients with diabetes by regulating electrolytes. The cumulative evidence from the recent cardiovascular outcome trials suggests that the effects of GLP-1R activation have a beneficial effect on blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. However, a robust meta-analysis is needed to compare the controversial results of the different papers in the current literature.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest in this study.