Over the last decade, obesity has become an even more important public health issue worldwide. Evidence has shown that even a small reduction in body weight significantly reduces the risk of developing medical complications related to obesity and the outcomes of chronic disease related to obesity. Many of the current anti-obesity medications have limitations in clinical use due to concerns about drug safety or effectiveness.
The hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is released from the intestine L-cells in response to food intake. Glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are a group of incretin-based drugs. More and more clinical trials have proved its effectiveness and safety in the treatment or prevention of obesity. GLP-1R agonists are therefore a new promising choice for the obese individuals. Liraglutide, a long lasting GLP-1 agonist is the first drug of this group that is approved by the FDA to treat obesity in 2014. The first oral preparation of GLP-1R agonists semaglutide for chronic weight management in obesity adults was approved in 2019, and the injection preparation of semaglutide was approved by FDA in 2021. This group of drugs reduces body weight through multiple pathways, including inhibition of food intake, delaying gastric emptying and activation of brown fat. However, the mechanism of the GLP-1 R in treating obesity is still uncertain and its long-term safety and efficacy still need more clinical evidence.
This Research Topic aims to collect and publish the recent evidence and current knowledge, about the underlying mechanism of GLP-1R agonists in treating obesity. Of interest are liraglutide, exenatide, dulaglutide and, importantly semaglutide. It also considers the current findings about GLP-1R agonists as a treatment for obesity in patients with normoglycemia, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
We also aim to include our current knowledge on future potential agents working through the Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide (GIP) pathway. GIP is produced by enteroendocrine K-cells and like GLP-1, stimulates insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. Therefore, the development and efficacy of pharmaceuticals targeting this pathways as well as dual GIP-GLP-1R agonist treatment alternatives are other key areas of research.
This collection will welcome review papers, basic science research, clinical trials and short communications, adding to our collective knowledge of GLP-1R and GIP receptor agonists in obesity treatment.
Research areas welcomed in this Research Topic, but not limited to, are:
• Clinical trials of long-term effect on obesity management
• Safety and efficacy of the GLP-1R agonist in treating obesity
• GLP-1 R agonist in treating diabetic and non-diabetic obesity
• GIP R agonists and dual GIP-GLP-1R agonist treatment for obesity
• Underlying mechanisms of GLP-1 and GIP agonists
Over the last decade, obesity has become an even more important public health issue worldwide. Evidence has shown that even a small reduction in body weight significantly reduces the risk of developing medical complications related to obesity and the outcomes of chronic disease related to obesity. Many of the current anti-obesity medications have limitations in clinical use due to concerns about drug safety or effectiveness.
The hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is released from the intestine L-cells in response to food intake. Glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are a group of incretin-based drugs. More and more clinical trials have proved its effectiveness and safety in the treatment or prevention of obesity. GLP-1R agonists are therefore a new promising choice for the obese individuals. Liraglutide, a long lasting GLP-1 agonist is the first drug of this group that is approved by the FDA to treat obesity in 2014. The first oral preparation of GLP-1R agonists semaglutide for chronic weight management in obesity adults was approved in 2019, and the injection preparation of semaglutide was approved by FDA in 2021. This group of drugs reduces body weight through multiple pathways, including inhibition of food intake, delaying gastric emptying and activation of brown fat. However, the mechanism of the GLP-1 R in treating obesity is still uncertain and its long-term safety and efficacy still need more clinical evidence.
This Research Topic aims to collect and publish the recent evidence and current knowledge, about the underlying mechanism of GLP-1R agonists in treating obesity. Of interest are liraglutide, exenatide, dulaglutide and, importantly semaglutide. It also considers the current findings about GLP-1R agonists as a treatment for obesity in patients with normoglycemia, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
We also aim to include our current knowledge on future potential agents working through the Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide (GIP) pathway. GIP is produced by enteroendocrine K-cells and like GLP-1, stimulates insulin secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. Therefore, the development and efficacy of pharmaceuticals targeting this pathways as well as dual GIP-GLP-1R agonist treatment alternatives are other key areas of research.
This collection will welcome review papers, basic science research, clinical trials and short communications, adding to our collective knowledge of GLP-1R and GIP receptor agonists in obesity treatment.
Research areas welcomed in this Research Topic, but not limited to, are:
• Clinical trials of long-term effect on obesity management
• Safety and efficacy of the GLP-1R agonist in treating obesity
• GLP-1 R agonist in treating diabetic and non-diabetic obesity
• GIP R agonists and dual GIP-GLP-1R agonist treatment for obesity
• Underlying mechanisms of GLP-1 and GIP agonists
