Lack of effect of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide on psoriasis in glucose-tolerant patients-a randomized placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundIt has been proposed that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists used for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes might also improve their psoriasis. ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of the GLP-1R agonist liraglutide in glucose-tolerant patients with plaque psoriasis. MethodsA total of 20 obese (body mass index>25kg/m(2)), glucose-tolerant patients with plaque psoriasis (psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) of at least 8) were randomized 1:1 to once-daily subcutaneous injections with liraglutide or placebo for an 8-week period. The primary end points were improvement in PASI and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). Secondary end points included changes in weight and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, as well as adverse events. ResultsAfter 8weeks of treatment, no significant change in PASI was found in the liraglutide group (meanstandard deviation: -2.6 +/- 2.1) compared with the placebo group (-1.3 +/- 2.4) (P=0.228). No difference in DLQI was observed between the groups [-2.5 +/- 4.4 (liraglutide) vs. -3.7 +/- 4.8 (placebo); P=0.564]. HsCRP did not change in any of the groups (0.26 +/- 1 (placebo) vs. 0.25 +/- 2.2 (liraglutide); P=0.992). Liraglutide treatment resulted in a bodyweight loss of 4.7 +/- 2.5kg compared with 1.6 +/- 2.7kg in the placebo group (P=0.014) accompanied by decreased cholesterol levels. No serious adverse events occurred during the 8-week observation period. The most common complaint was transient nausea, which occurred in 45% of the liraglutide-treated patients but in none from the placebo group. ConclusionLiraglutide treatment for 8weeks did not significantly change PASI, DLQI, or hsCRP in a small group of glucose-tolerant obese patients with plaque psoriasis compared with placebo. A significant weight loss and decrease in cholesterol levels was observed in liraglutide-treated patients.