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Inventing Liraglutide, a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analogue, for the Treatment of Diabetes and Obesity.

ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci · 2019

Last updated 2026-08-29

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 drug that helps control blood sugar for a full 24 hours by mimicking a natural hormone released in the gut. It works by increasing insulin secretion when blood sugar is high, with a low risk of causing dangerously low blood sugar. The drug also appears to support weight loss and may have broader effects on heart and brain health, though these areas are still being studied.

AI summary of the abstract below.

JournalACS Pharmacol Transl Sci, 2019
Citations42
Relative citation ratio1.76
NIH percentile70
Molecules liraglutide

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been in focus since the early 1980s as a long looked for incretin hormone, released from the gastrointestinal tract and with an important effect on glucose-dependent insulin secretion, providing efficient glucose lowering, with little risk for hypoglycemia. The enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) degrades GLP-1 very fast, and the remaining metabolite is cleared rapidly by the kidneys. Liraglutide is a fatty acid acylated analogue of GLP-1 that provides efficacy for 24 h/day. The mechanism of action for liraglutide is reviewed in detail with focus on pancreatic efficacy and safety, thyroid safety, and weight loss mechanism. Evolving science hypothesizes that GLP-1 has important effects on atherosclerosis, relevant for the cardiovascular benefit seen in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Also, GLP-1 may be relevant in neurodegenerative diseases.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 32259078 ↗

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