Inflammatory biomarker response to GLP-1 receptor agonists versus other glucose-lowering medications in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is strongly linked to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which drive cardiovascular complications. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) demonstrate cardioprotective benefits that may extend beyond glycemic control, but their effects on key inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers compared to other glucose-lowering medications remain inconsistently reported across individual studies.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted. Databases were searched for RCTs comparing GLP-1 RAs against other antidiabetic drugs or placebo in adults with T2D, reporting changes in inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) or the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA). Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and outcomes were stratified by comparator type (placebo, insulin, other oral antidiabetic drugs [OADs]).
Results: Forty RCTs (n=6029 participants) were included. GLP-1 RA therapy significantly reduced CRP levels compared to placebo (SMD = -0.59; 95% CI: -0.84 to -0.34) and other OADs (SMD = -1.06; 95% CI: -1.64 to -0.47). A significant reduction in TNF-α was observed versus placebo (SMD = -0.61; 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.32) and oral antidiabetic drugs add on (SMD = -1.62; 95% CI: -2.86 to -0.38). Data for MDA were limited and showed a non-significant trend toward reduction. GLP-1 RAs also…
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: 6,029 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Metformin as an adjuvant in breast cancer treatment
- Metformin Lysosomal Targeting: A Novel Aspect to Be Investigated for Metformin Repurposing in Neurodegenerative Diseases?
- Aberrant HSF1 signaling activation underlies metformin amelioration of myocardial infarction in mice
- Metformin induces ZFP36 by mTORC1 inhibition in cervical cancer-derived cell lines
- Protein Interaction Network for Identifying Vascular Response of Metformin (Oral Antidiabetic)
- Preventing Long COVID With Metformin
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.