Pleiotropic effects of insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonists: Potential benefits of the association.

Diabetes Metab · 2015

Last updated 2026-05-28

Research suggests that GLP-1 drugs, often used for blood sugar control and weight loss in type 2 diabetes, may also have broader health benefits. Studies in animals and small human trials indicate these drugs could improve heart function, lower blood pressure, reduce fat buildup after meals, and help with liver conditions like fat accumulation and inflammation. However, more long-term research is needed to confirm these effects and understand their safety.

AI summary of the abstract below.

Journal	Diabetes Metab, 2015
Citations	27
Relative citation ratio	0.86
NIH percentile	45
Molecules	—
Conditions studied	Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, Cardiovascular Risk Reduction, Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

The combination of basal insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) is an emerging option for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). GLP-1RAs have been shown to improve glycaemic control with a low risk of hypoglycaemia and to promote body weight loss. However, GLP-1 receptors (GLP-1Rs) are widely expressed in extrapancreatic tissues and could sustain pleiotropic actions of GLP-1RAs beyond glycaemic control. The underlying molecular mechanisms maintaining these extrapancreatic actions of GLP-1 are complex, and involve GLP-1R signalling in both the brain and several peripheral tissues. The present review focuses specifically on the role of GLP-1RAs in the cardiovascular system and liver. Preclinical data in rodents and pilot studies in humans suggest that GLP-1RAs may have potential beneficial effects on heart function, blood pressure, postprandial lipaemia, liver steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Long-term studies are now warranted to determine the safety and clinical relevance of the association between insulin and GLP-1RAs in T2D.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 26774017 ↗