285-LB: LEAP2 Reduces Preprandial and Postprandial Glucose Levels and Ad Libitum Food Intake in Obese Men

The naturally occurring peptide liver-enriched antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) has gained interest as a ghrelin receptor antagonist. Recently, we reported food intake and plasma glucose-lowering effects of exogenous LEAP2 in lean healthy males. Here, we investigated the effects of LEAP2 infusion on ad libitum food intake and postprandial glucose tolerance in obese men. Twenty obese men (mean (SEM) age 44.2 (2.2) years; BMI 36.3 (0.8) kg/m2; body fat percentage 37.4 (0.9)%) were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study comprising two experimental days. Experimental days involved a ~5-hour intravenous (iv) infusion of LEAP2 or placebo during which a liquid mixed meal test (MMT) and a subsequent ad libitum meal test were performed. Plasma glucose measures included fasted (preprandial), Cmax and Tmax values as well as area under the curve (AUC) during MMT. Ad libitum food intake was measured in kilojoule (kJ) and kJ/kg body weight. Compared to placebo, LEAP2 infusion lowered preprandial plasma glucose (mean (SEM): 5.03 (0.08) vs. 5.19 (0.06) mmol/L, P=0.0095) as well as Cmax (6.58 (0.18) vs. 6.98 mmol/L (0.18), P=0.0001) and AUC for plasma glucose during MMT (1,506 (33.4) vs. 1564 (30.4) min×mmol/L, P=0.0005), but not Tmax. Ad libitum food intake was reduced by ~13% during LEAP2 infusion compared to placebo (2,939 (266) vs. 3,378 (258) kJ, P=0.0118; 25.0 (2.4) vs. 28.4 (2.0) kJ/kg body weight, P=0.0140). We conclude that a continuous iv LEAP2 infusion reduces pre- and postprandial plasma glucose concentrations as well as ad libitum food intake in obese men.