Glp-1 Analogs for the Treatment of Obesity and Diabetes

Abstract

Currently the prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing throughout the world. The unsatisfactory long-term results observed in the treatment of both are due to their complex pathophysiologies and the difficulties related to maintaining lifestyle changes. From the knowledge of the incretin effect and its alteration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, GLP-1 receptor agonists arise, molecules with high structural homology with native GLP-1. Scientific evidence supports its use for the long-term treatment of diabetes, especially in the presence of associated cardiovascular and/or renal failure. In 2009, the use of liraglutide for patients with diabetes was approved in Europe, and in 2014 it was signed for the first time in the United States to treat obesity, since it was observed that the use of these drugs causes significant weight loss.