Acute administration of GLP-1 receptor agonists induces hypolocomotion but not anxiety in mice.

Abstract

Krass M, Rünkorg K, Vasar E, Volke V. Acute administration of GLP-1 receptor agonists induces hypolocomotion but not anxiety in mice.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the behavioural and hormonal effects of systemic (subcutaneous) treatment with glucaemically equipotent doses of exenatide and liraglutide in mice.Methods: The effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists were determined on anxiety level in the light–dark compartment test, the motor activity in automated activity cages and finally the forced swimming test was performed.Results: Both exenatide (1–20 µg/kg) and liraglutide (200–1200 µg/kg) decreased the glucose levels up to 30% in freely fed animals. In glucaemically equipotent doses the drugs induced very similar behavioural and hormonal effects: there was no change on anxiety level or immobility time, however, both drugs suppressed motor activity and increased corticosterone levels.Conclusion: We conclude that the two clinically approved GLP-1 receptor agonists induce very similar suppression of motor activity and stimulation of corticosterone release in mice.