Obesity and the Gut-Brain Axis in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Terra Incognita?

Purpose of review: The increasing prevalence of obesity among individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) presents a significant clinical challenge, as it exacerbates insulin resistance, impairs glycemic control, and increases cardiometabolic risk. While obesity in T1DM is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, recent evidence highlights the role of the gut-brain axis in metabolic regulation. This review explores the complex relationship between obesity and T1DM, the role of the gut-brain axis in metabolic dysregulation, and current weight management strategies, highlighting the need for further research to optimize treatment outcomes in this unique patient population.

Recent findings: Key gastrointestinal hormones, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), and amylin, play essential roles in appetite control, energy balance, and glucose metabolism, yet their dysregulation in T1DM remains poorly understood. Addressing obesity requires a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy with GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), and bariatric surgery (BS). Although limited, accumulating evidence regarding the use of liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide in T1DM begin to highlight the safety and effectiveness of these molecules in this subset of patients as well. Lifestyle modifications, GLP-1 RAs based pharmacotherapy and BS have emerged as potential strategies to address obesity in patients with T1DM. Initial findings point to potential improvements in both metabolic health and glycemic control, but further exploration of their role in the co-occurrence of obesity and T1DM remains limited. Ongoing research is crucial to better understand how the gut-brain axis influences weight regulation in T1DM and to determine the sustained benefits and risks of these emerging therapies.