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GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

21-12-2024

10:30 AM

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1 min read
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Overview:

Scientists at the World Health Organisation (WHO) have endorsed a new class of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

About GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: 

  • Glucagon-Like Peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists mimic a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels, for managing obesity.
  • By specifically binding to the key hormone GLP-1, it regulates blood glucose levels and lipid metabolism.
  • This receptor and its agonists hold significant therapeutic potential, reshaping the treatment approaches for multiple diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • GLP-1 agonists are most often injectable medications, meaning you inject a liquid medication with a needle and syringe. 
  • The new class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, that included drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, “have the potential to be transformative.
    • In medication terms, an agonist is a manufactured substance that attaches to a cell receptor and causes the same action as the naturally occurring substance. 

What is GLP-1?

  • GLP-1 is a key hormone that plays an integral role in regulating blood glucose levels, lipid metabolism, and several other crucial biological functions. 
  • It is released by the intestines in response to food intake. 

Q1: What is Diabetes?

It is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

News: WHO scientists endorse weight loss drugs for controlling obesity: What does it mean for therapies?