TY - JOUR

T1 - Semaglutide reduces vascular inflammation investigated by PET in a rabbit model of advanced atherosclerosis

AU - Jensen, Jacob K.

AU - Binderup, Tina

AU - Grandjean, Constance E.

AU - Bentsen, Simon

AU - Ripa, Rasmus S.

AU - Kjaer, Andreas

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Background and aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of semaglutide, a long acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, on atherosclerotic inflammation and calcification using a multimodality positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) approach. Methods: Atherosclerotic New Zealand White rabbits were randomized to an intervention- (n = 12) or placebo group (n = 11) receiving either semaglutide or saline-placebo. PET/CT imaging was done before and after 16-weeks of intervention. Three different radiotracers were used: [64Cu]Cu-DOTATATE for imaging of activated macrophages, [18F]FDG imaging cellular metabolism and [18F]NaF PET visualizing micro-calcifications. Tracer uptake was quantified by maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and target-to-background-ratio (TBRmax). Animals were euthanized for autoradiographic imaging and histological analyses. Results: A reduction in activated macrophage tracer-uptake was observed in the semaglutide group (SUVmax: p = 0.001 and TBRmax: p = 0.029). When imaging cellular metabolism, an attenuation of SUVmax and TBRmax was observed in the semaglutide group (p = 0.034 and p = 0.044). We found no difference in uptake of the micro-calcification tracer between the two groups (SUVmax: p = 0.62 and TBRmax: p = 0.36). Values of macrophage density in the vessel wall were significantly correlated with SUVmax values of the activated macrophage (r = 0.54, p = 0.0086) and cellular metabolism tracers (r = 0.51, p = 0.013). Conclusions: Semaglutide decreased vascular uptake of tracers imaging activated macrophages and cellular metabolism but not micro-calcifications compared to a saline placebo. This supports the hypothesis that semaglutide reduces atherosclerotic inflammation by means of decreased activated macrophage activity.

AB - Background and aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of semaglutide, a long acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, on atherosclerotic inflammation and calcification using a multimodality positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) approach. Methods: Atherosclerotic New Zealand White rabbits were randomized to an intervention- (n = 12) or placebo group (n = 11) receiving either semaglutide or saline-placebo. PET/CT imaging was done before and after 16-weeks of intervention. Three different radiotracers were used: [64Cu]Cu-DOTATATE for imaging of activated macrophages, [18F]FDG imaging cellular metabolism and [18F]NaF PET visualizing micro-calcifications. Tracer uptake was quantified by maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and target-to-background-ratio (TBRmax). Animals were euthanized for autoradiographic imaging and histological analyses. Results: A reduction in activated macrophage tracer-uptake was observed in the semaglutide group (SUVmax: p = 0.001 and TBRmax: p = 0.029). When imaging cellular metabolism, an attenuation of SUVmax and TBRmax was observed in the semaglutide group (p = 0.034 and p = 0.044). We found no difference in uptake of the micro-calcification tracer between the two groups (SUVmax: p = 0.62 and TBRmax: p = 0.36). Values of macrophage density in the vessel wall were significantly correlated with SUVmax values of the activated macrophage (r = 0.54, p = 0.0086) and cellular metabolism tracers (r = 0.51, p = 0.013). Conclusions: Semaglutide decreased vascular uptake of tracers imaging activated macrophages and cellular metabolism but not micro-calcifications compared to a saline placebo. This supports the hypothesis that semaglutide reduces atherosclerotic inflammation by means of decreased activated macrophage activity.

KW - Atherosclerosis

KW - GLP-1

KW - Inflammation

KW - Molecular imaging

KW - PET

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85127782521&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.03.032

DO - 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.03.032

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35400496

AN - SCOPUS:85127782521

VL - 352

SP - 88

EP - 95

JO - Journal of atherosclerosis research

JF - Journal of atherosclerosis research

SN - 1567-5688

ER -