Research Note: Once-Monthly Treatment for Feline Diabetes

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) such as exenatide show promise in the treatment of feline diabetes. GLP-1RAs stimulate insulin secretion by pancreatic β cells in the presence of high glucose levels. The investigators in this study developed a delivery system that allowed the slow release of a stable GLP-1RA analog, [Gln28]exenatide. The study first validated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of exenatide vs [Gln128]exenatide in cats, after which the conjugate compound consisting of [Gln28]exenatide bonded to hydrogel microspheres was evaluated. The plasma half-life of the SC administered microsphere-[Gln28]exenatide conjugate was ≈40 days as compared with 40 minutes with the injected free peptide. The investigators concluded that GLP-1RA in this formulation is suitable for once-monthly SC administration in cats.