Potential Role of GLP-1 Based Therapeutics in Coronary Artery Disease

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone primarily secreted by intestinal L cells, regulates glucose metabolism by increasing insulin synthesis and secretion, decreasing plasma glucagon levels, reducing food intake, and slowing gastric emptying. This has led to the development of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists as a treatment for diabetes and obesity. In addition to being present in beta cells, GLP-1R has also been identified in blood vessels and the heart, suggesting that GLP-1R agonists may have an impact on cardiovascular health. There is now substantial evidence supporting GLP-1's protective effects on the cardiovascular system. This review summarizes the current research on GLP-1-based therapy for coronary artery disease (CAD) by examining its protective effects against inflammation and ischemia/reperfusion injury and analyzing clinical trials on GLP-1-based therapies for CAD. Although results from various studies were inconsistent, the challenge of transitioning GLP-1-based therapies from the laboratory to the clinical setting remains. Further well-designed and high-quality studies are necessary to determine the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 for patients with CAD.