0000000000609236
AUTHOR
Vittoria Di Bartolo
Liraglutide decreases carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes: 8-month prospective pilot study.
Background Liraglutide, a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog, has several non- glycemic properties, but its effect on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a recognized marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, is still unknown. Methods A prospective study of 8 months duration in 64 patients with type-2 diabetes and no prior history of coronary artery disease evaluated whether adding liraglutide to metformin affects carotid IMT, measured by color doppler ultrasound. Results After 8 months, fasting glucose decreased by 2.1 mmol/l and HbA1c by 1.9% (p < 0.01 for all). Liraglutide reduced total-cholesterol and triglycerides by 10%, and LDL-cholesterol by 19%, whereas HDL-cholester…
Novel anti-obesity drugs and plasma lipids
Obesity is a health problem of global, epidemic proportions and a major risk factor for chronic diseases resulting in accelerated morbidity and mortality. Dyslipidemia with a predominance of small dense LDL, impaired functionality of HDL particles, and increased serum levels of remnant particles due to impaired clearance of triglyceriderich lipoproteins significantly heightens cardiovascular events in obese subjects. Pharmacotherapy in combination with lifestyle modification is the primary approach to reduce obesity-related cardiovascular risk. Although there are several potential anti-obesity drugs, orlistat is the only agent that remains available in the market. Lorcaserin and Qsymia ® , …
The effects of liraglutide on glucose, inflammatory markers and lipoprotein metabolism: current knowledge and future perspectives.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 is an incretin secreted in response to nutrient ingestion. Derangements in the incretin system may contribute to the onset and progression of hyperglycemia in Type 2 diabetes. Liraglutide is a long-acting human glucagon-like peptide-1-receptor agonist suitable for once-daily administration. Blood glucose- and weightreducing effects, improvements in pancreatic b-cell function and a low risk of hypoglycemic events have been demonstrated with this agent. There is a trend towards improvement in the proinflammatory milieu. Liraglutide also appears to have beneficial effects on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in the form of a reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides an…