BACKGROUND: Comorbid neurobehavioral disturbances and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) warrant immediate research attention. Exenatide, which is a potent and selective agonist for the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), is used in the treatment of T2DM. Exenatide displays a multitude of effects in the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects and analgesic effects of exenatide in a type-2 diabetic mouse model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Modified elevated plus-maze test for anxiolytic-like, forced swimming test for depression-like behavior and hotplate test for neuropathy were used as behavioral tasks. Behavioral parameters were investigated in a streptozocin – (100 mg/kg, i.p.) and nicotinamide – (240 mg/kg, i.p.) induced type-2 diabetic mouse model. Exenatide (0.1 µg/kg, s.c., twice daily) was administered for 2 weeks. Vehicle (control), diabetic, and exenatide-treated diabetic mice were tested.

RESULTS: Our results confirm that exenatide exerts anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects and might be effective in diabetic neuropathy in a diabetic mouse model.

CONCLUSIONS: Exenatide may be a good candidate as a treatment option for depression, anxiety, and neuropathy in patients with type-2 diabetes.

Keywords: Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use, Anti-Anxiety Agents - therapeutic use, Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - physiopathology, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - physiopathology, Diabetic Neuropathies - physiopathology, Immobilization, Maze Learning - drug effects, Motor Activity - drug effects, Peptides - therapeutic use, Reaction Time - drug effects, Time Factors, Venoms - therapeutic use