Therapies for inter-relating diabetes and obesity – GLP-1 and obesity. (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iepsen, Eva W; Torekov, Signe S; Holst, Jens J
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy. Volume 15:Number 17(2014)
• Page Start: 2487
• Page End: 2500
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.5805
• DOI: 10.1517/14656566.2014.965678
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-6566

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold> <italic>Introduction:</italic> </bold> The dramatic rise in the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with increased mortality, morbidity as well as public health care expenses worldwide. The need for effective and long-lasting pharmaceutical treatment is obvious. The record of anti-obesity drugs has been poor so far and the only efficient treatment today is bariatric surgery. Research has indicated that appetite inhibiting hormones from the gut may have a therapeutic potential in obesity. The gut incretin hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), appears to be involved in both peripheral and central pathways mediating satiety. Clinical trials have shown that two GLP-1 receptor agonists <italic>exenatide</italic> and <italic>liraglutide</italic> have a weight-lowering potential in non-diabetic obese individuals. Furthermore, they may also hold a potential in preventing diabetes as compared to other weight loss agents.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Areas covered:</italic> </bold> The purpose of this review is to cover the background for the GLP-1-based therapies and their potential in obesity and pre-diabetes. Up-to-date literature on incretin-based therapies will be summarized with a special mention of their weight-lowering properties. The literature updated to August 2014 from PubMed was identified using the combinations: GLP-1, GLP-1 receptor agonists, incretins, obesity and pre-diabetes.</p> <p> <bold> <italic>Expert opinion:</italic> </bold> The incretin impairment, which seems to exist in both obesity and diabetes, may link these two pathologies and underlines the potential of GLP-1-based therapies in the prevention and treatment of these diseases.</p> </abstract>