Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists but not dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors reduce alcohol intake

Mehdi Farokhnia; John Tazare; Claire L. Pince; Nicolaus Bruns Vi; Joshua C. Gray; Vincent Lo Re III; David A. Fiellin; Henry R. Kranzler; George F. Koob; Amy C. Justice; Leandro F. Vendruscolo; Christopher T. Rentsch; Lorenzo Leggio

doi:10.1172/JCI188314

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists but not dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors reduce alcohol intake

Mehdi Farokhnia,¹ John Tazare,² Claire L. Pince,¹ Nicolaus Bruns Vi,¹ Joshua C. Gray,³ Vincent Lo Re III,⁴ David A. Fiellin,⁵ Henry R. Kranzler,⁶ George F. Koob,⁷ Amy C. Justice,⁵ Leandro F. Vendruscolo,⁸ Christopher T. Rentsch,⁹ and Lorenzo Leggio¹

Published March 6, 2025 - More info

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Abstract

Background: Despite growing preclinical evidence that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) could be repurposed to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD), clinical evidence is scarce. Additionally, the potential impact of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4Is) on alcohol intake is largely unknown. Methods: We conducted a large cohort study using 2008-2023 electronic health records data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Changes in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) scores were compared between propensity-score-matched GLP-1RA recipients, DPP-4I recipients, and unexposed comparators. We further tested the effects of two DPP-4Is, linagliptin and omarigliptin, on binge-like alcohol drinking in mice and operant oral alcohol self-administration in alcohol-dependent rats, models previously used to show a significant effect of the GLP-1RA semaglutide in reducing alcohol intake. Results: GLP-1RA recipients reported a greater reduction in AUDIT-C scores than unexposed individuals [difference-in-difference: 0.09(0.03,0.14), p=0.0025] and DPP-4I recipients [difference-in-difference: 0.11(0.05,0.17), p=0.0002]. Reductions in drinking were more pronounced among individuals with baseline AUD [GLP-1RA vs. unexposed: 0.51(0.29,0.72), p<0.0001; GLP-1RA vs. DPP-4I: 0.65(0.43,0.88), p<0.0001] and baseline hazardous drinking [GLP-1RA vs. unexposed: 1.38(1.07,1.69), p<0.0001; GLP-1RA vs. DPP-4I: 1.00(0.68,1.33), p<0.0001]. There were no differences between DPP-4I recipients and unexposed individuals. The latter results were confirmed via a reverse translational approach. Specifically, neither linagliptin nor omarigliptin reduced alcohol drinking in mice or rats. The rodent experiments also confirmed target engagement as both DPP-4Is reduced blood glucose levels. Conclusion: Convergent findings across humans, mice, and rats indicate that GLP-1RAs but not DPP-4Is reduce alcohol consumption and may be efficacious in treating AUD.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists but not dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors reduce alcohol intake

Mehdi Farokhnia,¹ John Tazare,² Claire L. Pince,¹ Nicolaus Bruns Vi,¹ Joshua C. Gray,³ Vincent Lo Re III,⁴ David A. Fiellin,⁵ Henry R. Kranzler,⁶ George F. Koob,⁷ Amy C. Justice,⁵ Leandro F. Vendruscolo,⁸ Christopher T. Rentsch,⁹ and Lorenzo Leggio¹

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Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists but not dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors reduce alcohol intake

Mehdi Farokhnia,1 John Tazare,2 Claire L. Pince,1 Nicolaus Bruns Vi,1 Joshua C. Gray,3 Vincent Lo Re III,4 David A. Fiellin,5 Henry R. Kranzler,6 George F. Koob,7 Amy C. Justice,5 Leandro F. Vendruscolo,8 Christopher T. Rentsch,9 and Lorenzo Leggio1

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Mehdi Farokhnia,¹ John Tazare,² Claire L. Pince,¹ Nicolaus Bruns Vi,¹ Joshua C. Gray,³ Vincent Lo Re III,⁴ David A. Fiellin,⁵ Henry R. Kranzler,⁶ George F. Koob,⁷ Amy C. Justice,⁵ Leandro F. Vendruscolo,⁸ Christopher T. Rentsch,⁹ and Lorenzo Leggio¹