Chronic Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Infusion Sustains Left Ventricular Systolic Function and Prolongs Survival in the Spontaneously Hypertensive, Heart Failure–Prone Rat

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Abstract
Background— Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) treatment leads to short-term improvements in myocardial function in ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy. It is unknown whether GLP-1 improves survival when administered over a longer time period. Spontaneously hypertensive, heart failure–prone (SHHF) rats progress to advanced heart failure and death over a 15-month period. The authors sought to determine whether a continuous infusion of GLP-1 would reduce mortality in this model. Methods and Results— At 9 months of age, 50 SHHF rats were randomized to receive a 3-month, continuous infusion of either GLP-1 or saline. Metabolic parameters were measured and cardiac ultrasounds performed at study initiation and completion of treatment. Surviving rats were euthanized at 12 months. Hearts were perfused in an isolated, isovolumic heart preparation, and Tunel staining of myocardial samples was performed. Baseline metabolic and cardiac functional parameters were comparable. GLP-1–treated SHHF rats had greater surviv...

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