Liraglutide improves obesity‐induced renal injury by alleviating uncoupling of the glomerular VEGF–NO axis in obese mice

Obesity‐related kidney disease is associated with generalized endothelial dysfunction. Liraglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 agonist, has cardiovascular–renal protective effects in patients with diabetes. In this study, the ability of liraglutide to reduce urinary albumin excretion by alleviating glomerular vascular endothelial growth factor‐nitric oxide (VEGF–NO) axis uncoupling was assessed in high fat diet‐induced obese mice. C57BL/6J mice were divided into control and obesity groups, treated with or without liraglutide (200 μg/kg/day). Blood biochemistry and urinary albumin excretion were measured. Glomerular VEGF and the AMPK–endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway were assayed by western blotting. Glomerular NO, renal haeme oxygenase‐1 activity, and malondialdehyde levels were also measured. Treatment of obese mice with liraglutide led to significant reductions in body weight gain (46 ± 1 g vs 55 ± 1 g, P