Effects of 6 months glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist treatment on endothelial function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists ( GLP ‐1 RA ) are used for treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM ). Little is known about their cardiovascular (CV) impact. We sought to determine the effects of chronic treatment on vascular function in T2DM . Brachial artery endothelial‐dependent flow‐mediated dilation ( FMD ) and endothelial‐independent glyceryl trinitrate ( GTN ) function and carotid intima‐medial thickness ( cIMT ) were assessed in 11 severely obese T2DMs (4 females, 7 males: 55 ± 8 years, diabetes duration 8.3 ± 4.7 years mean ±  s.d .) before and after 6 months GLP ‐1 RA . Body weight (5.3 ± 1.2 kg; p < 0.05) and magnetic resonance imaging determined total and subcutaneous fat, but not visceral fat, decreased. Glycaemic control improved. There were no significant changes in FMD , GTN and cIMT (−1.1 ± 0.4%, 0.3 ± 3.0% and 0.00 ± 0.04 mm, respectively). Despite significant improvements in body composition and glycaemic control, 6 months GLP ‐1 RA treatment did not modulate vascular function. Alternative strategies may therefore be needed to reduce the burden of CV risk in severely obese patients with long‐standing T2DM .