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Mechanisms Underlying Gut Hormone Secretion Using the Isolated Perfused Rat Small Intestine
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Mechanisms Underlying Gut Hormone Secretion Using the Isolated Perfused Rat Small Intestine

Published on: February 26, 2019

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Clinical Knowns and Mechanistic Unknowns: Cardioprotection and Inflammation Modulation of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and

Ellis Y Kim1, Matthew J Feinstein2

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
|February 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) show cardiovascular benefits by modulating immune responses. This review explores their anti-inflammatory effects and impact on cardiovascular outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major global health burden.
  • Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have shown significant cardiovascular benefits in clinical trials.
  • Emerging evidence suggests these drugs possess anti-inflammatory properties, but precise immune-modulating mechanisms remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the known and potential immune/inflammatory-modulating effects of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs.
  • To correlate these immune effects with observed cardiovascular benefits.
  • To highlight gaps in knowledge regarding the interplay between metabolic changes, immune responses, and end-organ function.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical trials, mechanistic studies, and observational data.
  • Analysis of studies investigating the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs on immune cells and inflammatory markers.
  • Synthesis of evidence linking drug-induced immune modulation to cardiovascular outcomes.

Main Results:

  • SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs demonstrate favorable cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk populations.
  • These agents exhibit anti-inflammatory effects through various pathways, including modulation of cytokine production and immune cell activity.
  • The precise immune-modulatory mechanisms contributing to cardiovascular protection are still being elucidated.

Conclusions:

  • SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1RAs offer cardiovascular benefits potentially mediated, in part, by their immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory actions.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand how these therapies alter immune responses and impact cardiovascular health.
  • Targeting immune pathways may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for managing cardiovascular disease in patients with metabolic disorders.
Keywords:
GLP-1RAsSGLT2 inhibitorsheart failureinflammation

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