Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues: effects on body weight and glycemia

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues-based therapies are a new option for type 2 diabetes treatment that hold the promise of overcoming the major limitations of traditional treatments, including the increased risk for hypoglycemia and weight gain. Herein, we review the data from clinical trials that have assessed the mechanism of action, the efficacy, and safety of exenatide and liraglutide, two analogues already available for therapy. The data of these trials showed that exenatide and liraglutide induced an improvement in glycemic control comparable with type 2 diabetes traditional treatments, as insulin, thiazolidinediones and sulfonylurea. GLP-1 analogues-based therapy was also associated with progressive weight reduction and a very low risk for hypoglycemia.