Open AccessLiraglutide: effects beyond glycaemic control in diabetes treatment
Author(s) -
McGill J. B.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2010.02495.x
Subject(s) - liraglutide , exenatide , vildagliptin , medicine , sitagliptin , saxagliptin , endocrinology , weight loss , type 2 diabetes , glucagon like peptide 1 receptor , incretin , rosiglitazone , diabetes mellitus , dipeptidyl peptidase 4 , glucagon like peptide 1 , metformin , receptor , obesity , agonist
Summary Aims: To review the non‐glycaemic effects of liraglutide, including potential improvements in body weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pancreatic beta‐cell function. Key findings: Liraglutide induced weight loss of around 2–3 kg compared with weight increases of 1–2 kg with active comparators such as insulin glargine, rosiglitazone and glimepiride. Exenatide demonstrated similar weight benefits to liraglutide, but the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors, sitagliptin, saxagliptin and vildagliptin, were weight neutral. Liraglutide was associated with decreases in SBP of 2–7 mmHg, whereas exenatide, vildagliptin and sitagliptin demonstrated SBP reductions of around 2–3 mmHg. Measures of pancreatic beta‐cell function were improved with liraglutide vs. placebo, rosiglitazone and exenatide. However, DPP‐4 inhibitors appear to have less effect on beta‐cell function than glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists. Conclusions: In addition to glycaemic control, liraglutide and the other incretin‐based therapies offer additional non‐glycaemic benefits to varying degrees. The ability of GLP‐1 receptor agonists to provide modest, but clinically relevant improvements in body weight and SBP, and to potentially benefit beta‐cell function make them an exciting therapeutic option for individuals with diabetes. In contrast, DPP‐4 inhibitors are weight neutral and may have lesser benefits on beta‐cell function.