liraglutide - new weight loss, GLP-1 agonist drug

The contribution of serotonin 5-HT2C and melanocortin-4 receptors to the satiety signaling of glucagon-like peptide 1 and liragultide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, in mice.

"liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, induces satiety."

" The serotonin 5-HT2C receptor (5-HT2CR) and melanoroctin-4 receptor (MC4R) are involved in the regulation of food intake."

The above study is able to show that the anorexia effects of GLP-1 is diminished in mice with 5-HT2C and MC4R receptor abnormalities, which would suggest some of the downstream effects of GLP-1 binding acts on those receptors.

However, strangely, the new drug liraglutide is still able to mimic the anorexia effects of GLP-1 in mice with those same receptor abnormalities. Clearly liraglutide is doing more than what it says on the tin.

Comparative Effects of the Long-Acting GLP-1 Receptor Ligands, Liraglutide and Exendin-4, on Food Intake and Body Weight Suppression in Rats.

"liraglutide reduced 24 and 48 h body weight in nonobese, chow-maintained rats"

"Chow intake and body weight suppression by liraglutide were of greater magnitude and shorter latency following intraperitoneal compared to subcutaneous delivery,"

"Both drugs regimens yielded marked weight loss over the 7-day period. The weight loss effect of liraglutide was achieved in the first 2 days and remained stable for the duration of the experiment; weight loss with exendin-4 appeared more linear over the 7-day period."

Liraglutide Prevents Hypoadiponectinemia-Induced Insulin Resistance and Alterations of Gene Expression Involved in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism.

"Administration of liraglutide prevented hypoadiponectinemia-induced increases in plasma insulin, free fatty acids, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Liraglutide also attenuated hypoadiponectinemia-induced deterioration in peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity and alterations in key regulatory factors implicated in glucose and lipid metabolism. "

"These findings demonstrated for the first time that liraglutide could be used to rescue insulin resistance induced by hypoadiponectinemia and HFD via regulating gene and protein expression involved in glucose and lipid metabolism."

Wow, this drug sounds too good to be true.........