Effect of Albiglutide on Cholecystokinin-Induced Gallbladder Emptying in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Crossover Study

The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) exenatide and lixisenatide reduce cholecystokinin (CCK)-induced gallbladder emptying in healthy subjects. It is unknown if all GLP-1 RAs share this effect; therefore, the effect of the GLP-1 RA albiglutide on gallbladder function was assessed. In this randomized, double-blind, 2-way crossover study, a single dose of subcutaneous albiglutide 50 mg or placebo was administered to 17 healthy subjects, and CCK-induced gallbladder contractility was measured by ultrasonography. CCK (0.003 μg/kg) was infused intravenously over 50 minutes on study day 4 (3 days after dosing, to coincide with albiglutide's expected time to maximum concentration). Gallbladder volume, ejection fraction, and the main pancreatic and common bile-duct diameters were measured before, during, and following CCK infusion. Gallbladder volume was significantly greater in the albiglutide vs placebo groups before, during, and after CCK infusion, and the mean difference from placebo increased numerically during CCK infusion. The area under the volume-effect curve was significantly greater with albiglutide (P = .029). Starting at the 30-minute CCK infusion time point, the gallbladder ejection fraction was significantly lower with albiglutide than placebo. Changes in pancreatic duct diameter and common bile-duct diameter were not significantly different between albiglutide and placebo. Similar incidences of adverse events were observed between the albiglutide and placebo treatment periods. No new albiglutide safety signals were detected, and no serious adverse events were reported. In conclusion, similar to other GLP-1 RAs, albiglutide decreased CCK-induced gallbladder emptying compared with placebo in healthy individuals. Clinical implications of the gallbladder effects are unclear at this time.