Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 28, 2024; 30(36): 4036-4043
Published online Sep 28, 2024. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i36.4036
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: Exploring the mechanisms from glycemic control to treatment of multisystemic diseases
Mo-Wei Kong, Yang Yu, Ying Wan, Yu Gao, Chun-Xiang Zhang
Mo-Wei Kong, Yang Yu, Department of Cardiology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
Ying Wan, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
Yu Gao, Department of Endocrinology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, Chengde 067000, Hebei Province, China
Chun-Xiang Zhang, Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
Chun-Xiang Zhang, Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Nucleic Acid Medicine of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
Co-first authors: Mo-Wei Kong and Yang Yu.
Author contributions: Kong MW and Yu Y wrote the manuscript. Designation of Kong MW and Yu Y as joint first authors are based on three main reasons. First, the research was conducted as a collaborative effort, and the designation of joint first authorship accurately reflects the distribution of responsibilities and burdens associated with the time and effort required to complete the study and the subsequent paper. This also ensures effective communication and management of post-submission matters, ultimately enhancing the quality and reliability of the paper. Second, the entire research team comprises authors with diverse expertise and skills from various fields, and the designation of joint first authors best represent this diversity. This facilitates the most comprehensive and in-depth examination of the research topic, enriching readers' understanding by offering multiple expert perspectives. Third, Kong MW and Yu Y contributed efforts of equal substance throughout the research process. Selecting these researchers as joint first authors acknowledge and respect this equal contribution, while recognizing the spirit of teamwork and collaboration of this study. Zhang CX provided crucial suggestions and guidance for the writing; Wan Y and Gao Y reviewed and revised the manuscript; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. U23A20398 and No. 82030007; Sichuan Science and Technology Program, No. 2022YFS0578.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Chun-Xiang Zhang, MD, Dean, Professor, Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, No. 1735 West Harrison Street, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China. zhangchx999@163.com
Received: July 27, 2024
Revised: August 8, 2024
Accepted: September 5, 2024
Published online: September 28, 2024
Processing time: 54 Days and 13.3 Hours
Abstract

This editorial takes a deeper look at the insights provided by Soresi and Giannitrapani, which examined the therapeutic potential of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. We provide supplementary insights to their research, highlighting the broader systemic implications of GLP-1RAs, synthesizing the current understanding of their mechanisms and the trajectory of research in this field. GLP-1RAs are revolutionizing the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and beyond. Beyond glycemic control, GLP-1RAs demonstrate cardiovascular and renal protective effects, offering potential in managing diabetic kidney disease al-ongside renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors. Their role in bone metabolism hints at benefits for diabetic osteoporosis, while the neuroprotective properties of GLP-1RAs show promise in Alzheimer's disease treatment by modulating neuronal insulin signaling. Additionally, they improve hormonal and metabolic profiles in polycystic ovary syndrome. This editorial highlights the multifaceted mechanisms of GLP-1RAs, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to fully realize their therapeutic potential across a range of multisystemic diseases.

Keywords: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists; Glycemic control; Multisystem diseases; Mechanism of action; Cardiovascular protection; Renal disease; Bone metabolism; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Neuroprotection; Polycystic ovary syndrome

Core Tip: This editorial serves as an extension to the insightful research by Soresi and Giannitrapani, initially presented in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. We revisit their focus on the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) in treating metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, and supplement their work by exploring the broader systemic applications of GLP-1RAs. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of action of GLP-1RAs and to highlight the latest research developments, emphasizing their potential in managing a variety of diseases. We emphasize the multifaceted therapeutic value of GLP-1RAs and encourage further investigation into their clinical utility across different medical specialties.