Are GLP-1R agonists the long-sought-after panacea for obesity?

Georgina K C Dowsett; Giles S H Yeo

doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2023.06.008

Are GLP-1R agonists the long-sought-after panacea for obesity?

Trends Mol Med. 2023 Oct;29(10):777-779. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.06.008. Epub 2023 Jul 16.

Authors

Georgina K C Dowsett¹, Giles S H Yeo²

Affiliations

¹ MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
² MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK. Electronic address: gshy2@cam.ac.uk.

PMID: 37460364
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.06.008

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are hugely effective in the treatment of obesity. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes (T2D), these drugs cause dramatic weight loss in people with overweight or obesity, but how do they work, and are these therapeutics the long-sought-after solution to obesity? Here we explain the mechanisms of action of GLP-1R agonists in the context of weight loss and discuss their importance as therapeutics for obesity treatment.

Keywords: GLP-1R; brain; obesity; therapeutics.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / therapeutic use
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / agonists
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / therapeutic use
Humans
Obesity / drug therapy
Weight Loss

Substances

Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor

Grants and funding

MC_UU_00014/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom