Therapeutic potential of liraglutide in rheumatoid arthritis: Modulation of inflammation, apoptosis, and metabolic dysfunction in a rat model.

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder marked by joint inflammation and systemic symptoms. This study evaluates the efficacy of liraglutide (LIRA), a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, in RA management, particularly in conjunction with methotrexate (MTX), a standard RA therapy on complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Rats were injected with 0.12 mL of CFA (10 mg/1 mL) intradermally on day 1. Rats were divided into 6 groups, Normal group, Model group, MTX group (methotrexate 1 mg/kg/wk/i.p.), LIRA protection group (liraglutide 75 μg/kg/day/i.p. from day 1 to day 56), LIRA group (liraglutide 75 μg/kg/day/i.p. from day 15 to day 56), LIRA + MTX group (liraglutide 75 μg/kg/day/i.p. + methotrexate 1 mg/kg/wk/i.p. from day 15 to day 56). The arthritic rats developed significant joint destruction accompanied by alterations in metabolic parameters, elevated inflammatory cytokines, and enhanced apoptosis and autophagy. Liraglutide treatment and protection significantly showed metabolic hexokinase 2-succinate-hypoxia-inducible factor 1α axis modulation, inflammasome NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 suppression, apoptosis and autophagy flux normalization and joint pathology improvement. Liraglutide produced more pronounced effects when administered in combination with methotrexate. In conclusion, liraglutide demonstrated significant therapeutic and protective efficacy in a CFA-induced rat model of RA. The mechanism involves metabolic reprogramming where liraglutide downregulated the hexokinase 2-succinate-hypoxia-inducible factor 1αaxis, correcting disease-associated metabolic dysregulation. Similarly, liraglutide inhibited key proinflammatory signaling cascades, specifically the nuclear factor κB/NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3/interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α/P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic immuno-inflammatory disorder causing joint damage. Liraglutide presents opportunities for repurposing metabolic agents in the treatment of autoimmune illnesses. Liraglutide modulates metabolic dysfunction, normalizes autophagy markers, inflammatory pathways, and lower apoptotic signals in complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.