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Editorial
. 2019 Aug 20;2(6):468-484.
doi: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00048. eCollection 2019 Dec 13.

Inventing Liraglutide, a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analogue, for the Treatment of Diabetes and Obesity

Lotte Bjerre Knudsen  1
Affiliations
Editorial

Inventing Liraglutide, a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analogue, for the Treatment of Diabetes and Obesity

Lotte Bjerre Knudsen. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci. .

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been in focus since the early 1980s as a long looked for incretin hormone, released from the gastrointestinal tract and with an important effect on glucose-dependent insulin secretion, providing efficient glucose lowering, with little risk for hypoglycemia. The enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) degrades GLP-1 very fast, and the remaining metabolite is cleared rapidly by the kidneys. Liraglutide is a fatty acid acylated analogue of GLP-1 that provides efficacy for 24 h/day. The mechanism of action for liraglutide is reviewed in detail with focus on pancreatic efficacy and safety, thyroid safety, and weight loss mechanism. Evolving science hypothesizes that GLP-1 has important effects on atherosclerosis, relevant for the cardiovascular benefit seen in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Also, GLP-1 may be relevant in neurodegenerative diseases.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares the following competing financial interest(s): I am a full time employee of Novo Nordisk who markets liraglutide for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, and I am a named inventor of that drug.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Lotte Bjerre Knudsen.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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