Evaluation of potential therapeutic effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on the state of secondary bile acid loss in mice

Introduction: Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases may lead to severe diarrhea that is difficult to manage despite effective anti-inflammatory treatments. For some forms of diarrhea, secondary bile acid loss may be one contributing mechanism. One form of diarrhea that is particularly difficult to treat is the diarrhea inherent to an ileoanal pouch. Recent evidence has pointed to a role for GLP-1 analogues in reducing diarrhea in patients with an ileoanal pouch. Recent evidence has shown efficacy for GLP-1 analogues in treating primary bile acid diarrhea. Patients with a high output pouch have a deficiency in secondary bile acids. While GLP-1 analogues primarily slow gastric and small intestinal transit, their effect on enterohepatic circulation and bile acid signalling pathways is unknown.