skip to content
Dovepress - Open Access to Scientific and Medical Research
View our mobile site

8852

Emerging role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of obesity

Review

(3138) Views  (1097) Full article downloads

Authors: Lisa M Neff, Robert F Kushner

Published Date July 2010 Volume 2010:3 Pages 263 - 273
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S6816

Lisa M Neff1, Robert F Kushner2
1Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, 2Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

Abstract: The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically in recent decades, both in the US and worldwide. Pharmacotherapy can augment the weight-reducing effects of lifestyle modification and can facilitate long-term weight maintenance. However, there is a paucity of pharmacologic agents approved for the treatment of obesity, and the use of existing weight loss medications is frequently limited by contraindications, drug interactions, adverse effects, limited coverage by third-party payers, and cost. In recent years, there has been an increased understanding and appreciation of the role of gastrointestinal hormones in the control of body weight. One such hormone, GLP-1, also plays an important role in glucose homeostasis. GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as exenatide and liraglutide, have been developed and are already approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. There has also been interest in the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for the treatment of obesity in nondiabetic patients. This review explores the potential utility and limitations of exenatide and liraglutide as therapeutic agents for obesity.

Keywords: obesity, GLP-1, exenatide, liraglutide






Readers of this article also read:

Ego mechanisms of defense are associated with patients’ preference of treatment modality independent of psychological distress in end-stage renal disease
Bromocriptine approved as the first medication to target dopamine activity to improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes
Use of DPP-4 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes: focus on sitagliptin
Can a gentamicin-specific chart reduce neonatal medication errors?
Incretin mimetics: a novel therapeutic option for patients with type 2 diabetes – a review
Nephroprotective action of glycosaminoglycans: why the pharmacological properties of sulodexide might be reconsidered
Dashboards in neonatology
Type 2 diabetes mellitus and the cardiometabolic syndrome: impact of incretin-based therapies
Optimizing weight control in diabetes: antidiabetic drug selection
Everolimus-eluting stents: update on current clinical studies
  • Testimonials

    "You do a tremendous job!!" Ruben Restrepo, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio