Anti-inflammatory properties of GLP-1 receptor agonists and other ancillary benefits from a pharmacological perspective
Abstract
Incretin-based therapies, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), exert a wide range of beneficial effects beyond glycemic control, largely mediated by their anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic low-grade inflammation is a common pathological mechanism underlying metabolic, cardiovascular, hepatic, and neurodegenerative diseases. GLP-1RAs reduce systemic and tissue-specific inflammation through both direct and indirect mechanisms, including inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B signaling, reduction of proinflammatory cytokines, and modulation of immune cell activity, such as that of macrophages and microglia. In type 2 diabetes and obesity, GLP-1RAs improve insulin sensitivity and endothelial function by attenuating inflammation. In metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, GLP-1RAs reduce hepatic steatosis and fibrosis by modulating inflammation in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. In cardiovascular disease, they mitigate atherosclerosis progression and improve vascular health. GLP-1RAs also exert direct nephroprotective effects by reducing renal inflammation, oxidative stress, and glomerular hyperfiltration in both diabetic and nondiabetic models. GLP-RAs have been also associated with the preservation of cognitive and motor function. Preclinical studies suggest that these neuroprotective effects may involve the attenuation of neuroinflammation and reduced aggregation of pathological proteins. Overall, these pleiotropic actions position incretin-based therapies as promising tools for the management of complex chronic diseases with an inflammatory component.
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GLP-1 RAs modulate inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
“Furthermore, GLP-1 RAs modulate inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, a feature that could be particularly beneficial in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are often characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation [27].”
From A Narrative Review on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Obesity in Older Women: Maximizing Weight Loss While Preserving Lean Mass (2026) · cites this paper as [27]
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Moscucci, F., Baratta, F., Pastori, D., Menichelli, D., Mattioli, A. V., Gallina, S., Lospinuso, I., Sciomer, S., Piccirillo, G., & Desideri, G. (2026) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu18040632 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Furthermore, GLP-1 RAs modulate inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, a feature that could be particularly beneficial in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are often characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation [27].”
- Authors
- Ros-Madrid, I., Cano-Mármol, R. P., Ferrer-Gomez, M., & Ramos-Molina, B.
- Affiliations
- Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (ES)
- Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB)
- Venue
- Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
- Publisher
- Canadian Science Publishing
- Published
- 2025-12-01
- Volume
- 103
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 369-377
- ISSN
- 0008-4212 (ISSN-L)
- 1205-7541
- OpenAlex
- W4415163407
- Cited by
- 31
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 30 · 2025: 1
- FWCI
- 4.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CM24/00019, PI20/00505, PI23/00171)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Treatment and Management
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
- Keywords
- GLP-1 receptor agonists, anti-inflammatory activity, incretin-based therapy, low-grade inflammation, NF-κB signaling, inflammatory cytokines, macrophages, microglia, type 2 diabetes, obesity, insulin sensitivity, endothelial function, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatic steatosis, Kupffer cells, atherosclerosis, renal protection, neuroprotection, neuroinflammation, cognitive function
- MeSH terms
- Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists, Animals, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Humans, Inflammation, Incretins
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