Tirzepatide: a novel therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease

Tirzepatide (TRZ) is a dual agonist of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptors that were recently approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. Of note is that T2D and obesity, by inducing peripheral low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress, provoke the development of central neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Together, T2D and obesity are regarded as potential risk factors implicated in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is the most common neurodegenerative disease and represents the most typical cause of dementia. Hence, targeting low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress in T2D and obesity by TRZ may reduce AD neuropathology. In addition, TRZ can inhibit the production of amyloid beta (Aβ) and associated neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis. However, the underlying neuroprotective mechanism of TRZ against AD is not entirely explained. Consequently, this mini-review aims to discuss the possible molecular mechanism of TRZ in AD.