Treatment potential of the GLP-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a review

L Østergaard1, Christian S Frandsen1, S Madsbad1

  • 1a Department of Endocrinology, Hvidovre Hospital , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.

Insights

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) offer new type 2 diabetes treatments, effectively lowering HbA1c and body weight. Common side effects include nausea, with rare hypoglycemia when not combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology
  • Metabolic Diseases

Background:

  • Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have emerged as a significant advancement in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
  • These agents mimic the physiological actions of native GLP-1, influencing glucose homeostasis and appetite regulation.
  • The expanding therapeutic landscape now includes multiple approved GLP-1 RAs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize findings from phase III clinical trials of all approved GLP-1 RAs.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of GLP-1 RAs in patients with T2DM.
  • To provide insights into future treatment modalities involving GLP-1 RAs.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of phase III clinical trial data for approved GLP-1 receptor agonists.
  • Analysis of reported efficacy outcomes, including HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose levels.
  • Assessment of adverse event profiles and body weight changes.

Main Results:

  • All evaluated GLP-1 RAs demonstrated significant reductions in HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose.
  • A majority of trials reported a notable decrease in body weight among patients treated with GLP-1 RAs.
  • The most frequent adverse events were gastrointestinal in nature, primarily nausea; hypoglycemia was infrequent, especially when not co-administered with sulfonylureas or insulin.

Conclusions:

  • GLP-1 RAs represent a valuable therapeutic class for T2DM, offering glycemic control and weight reduction benefits.
  • Understanding the adverse event profile is crucial for safe and effective patient management.
  • Future treatment strategies may involve combination therapies, such as basal insulin and GLP-1 RA co-formulations.

Related Concept Videos

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists01:24

Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists

Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
1.3K
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors01:23

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a...
1.0K
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones01:26

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones

Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood...
929
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides01:06

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides

Repaglinide (Prandin) and Nateglinide (Starlix), known as glinides, are oral insulin secretagogues that stimulate insulin release from pancreatic β cells by closing the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channel). Repaglinide controls insulin release from pancreatic β cells by managing potassium efflux. It shares two binding sites with sulfonylureas and also has a unique site, indicating overlapping mechanisms of action. With a rapid onset and a 4-7 hour duration, it effectively...
936
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors01:19

Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors

α-glucosidase inhibitors, including acarbose (Precose), miglitol (Glyset), and voglibose (Voglib) (primarily available in Asia), are drugs that control blood sugar levels by delaying the digestion of starch and disaccharides. They achieve this by inhibiting α-glucosidase enzymes in the intestine, which slow the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine, which in turn leads to a prolonged release of the glucoregulatory hormone GLP-1 from intestinal L-cells.
Acarbose and miglitol are...
859
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
5.5K