Liraglutide's Pancreatic Volume Changes and Hormone Effects to be Investigated by PET-MR

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like Liraglutide are crucial for managing type 2 diabetes and severe overweight. A known observation with GLP-1 RA treatment is a slight elevation in pancreatic enzymes, amylase and lipase. While these elevations are typically associated with acute pancreatitis, human studies with GLP-1 RAs have not shown an increased risk of this condition. Preclinical research suggests these enzyme increases might be adaptive changes, such as pancreatic volume expansion, rather than inflammation. This study aims to clarify this discrepancy.

Investigators plan to assess whether elevated amylase and lipase levels in individuals treated with the GLP-1 analogue Saxenda (Liraglutide) are due to adaptive pancreatic changes. The study will measure amylase and lipase levels before, during, and after treatment with a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Concurrently, advanced PET-MR scanning equipment from Rigshospitalet will be utilized to precisely determine any volumetric changes in the pancreas. This approach aims to correlate biochemical markers with structural changes, providing a comprehensive view of Liraglutide's impact on the pancreas.