Linagliptin Ameliorates Methylglyoxal-Induced Peritoneal Fibrosis in Mice

PLoS One. 2016 Aug 11;11(8):e0160993. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160993. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Recent studies have reported increases of methylglyoxal (MGO) in peritoneal dialysis patients, and that MGO-mediated inflammation plays an important role in the development of peritoneal fibrosis through production of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, exerts anti-inflammatory effects independent of blood glucose levels. In this study, we examined whether linagliptin suppresses MGO-induced peritoneal fibrosis in mice. Male C57/BL6 mice were divided into three groups: control, MGO injection plus saline, and MGO injection plus linagliptin (n = 6 per group). Peritoneal fibrosis was induced by daily intraperitoneal injection of saline containing 40 mmol/L MGO for 21 days. Saline was administered intraperitoneally to the control group. Linagliptin (10 mg/kg) or saline were administrated by once-daily oral gavage from 3 weeks before starting MGO injections. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that linagliptin suppressed expression of α-smooth muscle actin and fibroblast-specific protein-1, deposition of type I and III collagen, and macrophage (F4/80) infiltration. Peritoneal equilibration testing showed improved peritoneal functions in mice treated with linagliptin. Peritoneal injection of MGO increased plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in mice, and a further increase was observed in linagliptin-treated mice. Although MGO increased plasma glucose levels, linagliptin did not decrease plasma glucose levels. Moreover, linagliptin reduced the TGF-β1 concentration in the peritoneal fluid of MGO-treated mice. GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) was expressed in monocytes/macrophages and linagliptin suppressed GLP-1R expression in MGO-injected mice. These results suggest that oral administration of linagliptin ameliorates MGO-induced peritoneal fibrosis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / metabolism
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Linagliptin / administration & dosage
  • Linagliptin / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Peritoneal Fibrosis / chemically induced
  • Peritoneal Fibrosis / drug therapy*
  • Pyruvaldehyde / toxicity*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors
  • Linagliptin
  • Pyruvaldehyde
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a grant from Ryokufukai and the Japanese Association of Dialysis Physicians. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.