Glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, liraglutide, regulates Sertoli cell energy metabolism
Liraglutide, an analog of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), is widely used for obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment. However, there is scarce information about its effects on testicular function. Within the testis, Sertoli cells (SCs) provide nutritional support for germ cells; they metabolize glucose to lactate, which is delivered to germ cells to be used as a preferred energy substrate. Besides, SCs use fatty acids (FAs) as an energy source and store them as triacylglycerols (TAGs) within lipid droplets (LDs), which serve as an important energy reserve. In the present study, 20-day-old rat SC cultures were used to assess whether liraglutide affects their metabolic functions related to nutritional support and lipid storage. The results show that liraglutide does not modify glucose consumption or lactate production. However, it increases TAG levels and LD content. These effects are accompanied by an increase in the mRNA levels of the fatty acid transporter FAT/CD36
