The Effect of Semaglutide on Pancreatic β-Cell Function in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by progressive β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) may enhance β-cell function. Semaglutide, a long-acting GLP-1 RA, improves glycemic control and weight, but its direct effects on β-cell function remain uncertain. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251034071). PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched through April 2025 for randomized controlled trials evaluating semaglutide's effects on β-cell function in adults with T2DM. Primary outcomes included HOMA-B, HOMA-IR, and the proinsulin/insulin ratio; secondary outcomes included insulin secretion rate, insulinogenic index, and C-peptide. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment using the Cochrane RoB 1 tool. Random-effects models were used for pooling. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE. Results: Sixteen trials (n = 6591) met inclusion criteria, with nine included in the meta-analysis. Semaglutide improved β-cell function (HOMA-B log ratio of means 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-1.80) and reduced insulin resistance (HOMA-IR ratio 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73-0.94) compared with placebo or active comparators. The pooled treatment ratio for proinsulin/insulin was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.63-0.79). However, risk of bias was generally high due to open-label designs, and…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 6,591 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- The Role of AMPK Activation for Cardioprotection in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity
- Hypoglycemic medicines in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: Pathophysiological links between AD and glucose metabolism
- Isorhamnetin Reduces Glucose Level, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in High-Fat Diet/Streptozotocin Diabetic Mice Model
- Modulating Sirtuin Biology and Nicotinamide Adenine Diphosphate Metabolism in Cardiovascular Disease—From Bench to Bedside
- Characterization of the SGLT2 Interaction Network and Its Regulation by SGLT2 Inhibitors: A Bioinformatic Analysis
- Early Treatment with Empagliflozin and GABA Improves β-Cell Mass and Glucose Tolerance in Streptozotocin-Treated Mice
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.