Long-acting dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonists (DACRAs) are novel candidates for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity due to their beneficial effects on both body weight, glucose control and insulin action. However, whether DACRAs affect hypertension, and diabetes-related cardiovascular complications remain unknown. In this study, the cardiovascular protective effect of the DACRA KBP-336 was evaluated in obese Zucker diabetic fatty-Spontaneously hypertensive heart failure F1 hybrid (ZSF1) rats. Obese ZSF1 rats were treated for 60 days with the KBP-336 (4.5 nmol/kg Q3D) and treatment efficacy on glucose control and blood pressure measured by tail cuff was evaluated. Furthermore, serum biomarkers of cardiovascular complications were evaluated. KBP-336 treatment significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels compared to vehicle (P<0.001). This was also illustrated in the HbA1c levels at study end, where KBP-336 resulted in significantly (P<0.001) lower levels than vehicle. Importantly, KBP-336 significantly reduced both systolic (AUC levels reduced by 13.3%, P<0.001) and diastolic (AUC levels reduced by 17.0%, P<0.001) blood pressure compared to vehicle without affecting the heart rate. Notably, the beneficial effects on both glucose control and blood pressure were obtained independent of weight loss as KBP-336 only resulted in a small and transient weight reduction. Furthermore, serum levels of the marker of cardiovascular disease, rPRO-C6 (collagen type VI formation marker) were 6.4% lower in KBP-336 treated rats compared to vehicle, supporting improvement in cardiovascular parameters. In summary, we show for the first time that KBP-336 benefits blood pressure in a metabolic rat model suffering from hypertension. In addition, KBP-336 improved glucose control independent of weight loss. These data highlight KBP-336 as a promising candidate for treating obesity and related comorbidities including type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Disclosure

S.A.Melander: None. A.T.Larsen: Employee; Nordic Bioscience A/S. K.Mohamed: Employee; Nordic Bioscience. M.A.Karsdal: Speaker's Bureau; Pfizer Inc. K.Henriksen: Employee; Nordic Bioscience A/S, Stock/Shareholder; Nordic Bioscience A/S.

Funding

Danish Research Foundation; Innovation Fund Denmark; European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program (814244)

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