They’ve been popularized for helping people lose weight. Now, obesity experts are challenging us to pay closer attention to the data surrounding GLP-1 receptor agonists and how they protect the heart, kidneys and liver.
It’s easy to assume that weight loss alone is the reason for the cardiovascular and cardiorenal benefits seen in patients taking this class of drugs, originally prescribed for diabetes management. Obesity expert Robert Eckel, MD, said he was biased to think that losing weight would explain 80-90% of the improved cardiorenal outcomes.
“The evidence is mounting to show that even people who don’t experience weight loss can see benefits related to the heart, kidney and even the liver,” said Eckel, professor emeritus in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes and Division of Cardiology at CU Anschutz.
The findings suggest the need to reexamine how GLP-1 medications are prescribed and how accessible they are to patients, Eckel said. In this Q&A, he discusses a recent editorial he co-authored about the broader role of these drugs.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of drugs that mimic the GLP-1 hormone released by the gastrointestinal tract in response to eating. GLP-1 receptor agonists trigger the release of insulin from the pancreas and suppress the hormone glucagon, which helps control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The drugs also help people feel fuller longer by acting on the brain to reduce hunger. They are prescribed for people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Non-brand names include tirzepatide, semaglutide and dulaglutide.