Ca2+ regulation by Liraglutide, a GLP-1 analogue, on skeletal muscle fibre of mice

• Grant number: 24/03195-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: June 28, 2024
• End date: June 27, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - General Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Carlos Carvalho Navegantes
• Grantee: Gabriel Hunzicker Skiba
• Supervisor: Bradley S Launikonis
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Queensland, Brisbane (UQ), Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/05868-5 - Liraglutide anti-atrophic mechanisms in an experimental model of Diabetes Mellitus, BP.DR

Abstract

The escalating prevalence of obesity and Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has prompted an urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies. Liraglutide (LIRA), a Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, has shown promise in addressing metabolic dysfunctions associated with these conditions. Initial findings suggest that LIRA not only aids in weight and adipose tissue reduction but also preserves muscle mass and improve oxidative capacity, indicating its potential to improve skeletal muscle function in metabolic disease contexts, however, its impact on skeletal muscle function, especially concerning Ca2+ dynamics on fibre physiology, remains underexplored. This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of LIRA in modulating Ca2+ metabolism within skeletal muscle, a critical factor influencing muscle function and metabolic health. During the international internship (Brisbane, Australia), our research will focus on an acute analysis evaluating the immediate effects of a single LIRA dose (200 µg/kg) on Ca2+ dynamics and muscle fibre physiology, and a prolonged treatment analysis to assess the long-term impacts of twice-daily LIRA administration (200 µg/kg) over ten days.