Abstract
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone responsible for amplification of insulin secretion when nutrients are given orally, as opposed to intravenously, and it retains its insulinotropic activity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. GLP-1-based therapies, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase 4, an enzyme that degrades endogenous GLP-1, have established effectiveness in lowering glucose levels and are routinely used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes. These agents regulate glucose metabolism through multiple mechanisms and have several effects on cardiovascular parameters. These effects, possibly independent of the glucose-lowering activity, include changes in blood pressure, endothelial function, body weight, cardiac metabolism, lipid metabolism, left ventricular function, atherosclerosis, and the response to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Thus, GLP-1-based therapies could potentially target both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This Review highlights the mechanisms targeted by GLP-1-based therapies, and emphasizes current developments in incretin research that are relevant to cardiovascular risk and disease, as well as treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Nature Reviews Cardiology |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Pages (from-to) | 209-22 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| ISSN | 1759-5002 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2012 |
Keywords
- Animals
- Blood Glucose
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
- Humans
- Hypoglycemic Agents
- Receptors, Glucagon
- Risk Assessment
- Risk Factors
- Treatment Outcome
