Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2015 Jun;23(6):1119-29.
doi: 10.1002/oby.21107. Epub 2015 May 9.

GLP-1 receptor agonists: Nonglycemic clinical effects in weight loss and beyond

Donna Ryan  1 , Andres Acosta  2
Affiliations
Review

GLP-1 receptor agonists: Nonglycemic clinical effects in weight loss and beyond

Donna Ryan et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2015 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are indicated for treatment of type 2 diabetes since they mimic the actions of native GLP-1 on pancreatic islet cells, stimulating insulin release, while inhibiting glucagon release, in a glucose-dependent manner. The observation of weight loss has led to exploration of their potential as antiobesity agents, with liraglutide 3.0 mg day(-1) approved for weight management in the US on December 23, 2014, and in the EU on March 23, 2015. This review examines the potential nonglycemic effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Methods: A literature search was conducted to identify preclinical and clinical evidence on nonglycemic effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Results: GLP-1 receptors are distributed widely in a number of tissues in humans, and their effects are not limited to the well-recognized effects on glycemia. Nonglycemic effects include weight loss, which is perhaps the most widely recognized nonglycemic effect. In addition, effects on the cardiovascular, neurologic, and renal systems and on taste perception may occur independently of weight loss.

Conclusions: GLP-1 receptor agonists may provide other nonglycemic clinical effects besides weight loss. Understanding these effects is important for prescribers in using GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetic patients, but also if approved for chronic weight management.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
GLP-1RA: Actions beyond glycemic control (15,40,41). [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which is available at http://wileyonlinelibrary.com.]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Drucker DJ. The biology of incretin hormones. Cell Metab. 2006;3:153–165. - PubMed
    1. Holst JJ, Christensen M, Lund A, et al. Regulation of glucagon secretion by incretins. Diabet Obes Metab. 2011;13(Suppl 1):89–94. - PubMed
    1. Inzucchi SE, Bergenstal RM, Buse JB, et al. Management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes: a patient-centered approach. Position statement of the American diabetes association (ADA) and the European association for the study of diabetes (EASD) Diabetologia. 2012;55:1577–1596. - PubMed
    1. Gerich J. Pathogenesis and management of postprandial hyperglycemia: role of incretin-based therapies. Int J Gen Med. 2013;6:877–895. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Drucker DJ, Nauck MA. The incretin system: glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes. Lancet. 2006;368:1696–1705. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources