{"title":"GLP-1 and Its Analogs: Does Sex Matter?","authors":"Stina Börchers, Karolina P Skibicka","doi":"10.1210/endocr/bqae165","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While obesity and diabetes are prevalent in both men and women, some aspects of these diseases differ by sex. A new blockbuster class of therapeutics, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogs (eg, semaglutide), shows promise at curbing both diseases. This review addresses the topic of sex differences in the endogenous and therapeutic actions of GLP-1 and its analogs. Work on sex differences in human studies and animal research is reviewed. Preclinical data on the mechanisms of potential sex differences in the endogenous GLP-1 system as well as the therapeutic effect of GLP-1 analogs, focusing on the effects of the drugs on the brain and behavior relating to appetite and metabolism, are highlighted. Moreover, recent clinical evidence of sex differences in the therapeutic effects of GLP-1 analogs in obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are discussed. Lastly, we review evidence for the role of GLP-1 analogs in mood and reproductive function, with particular attention to sex differences. Overall, while we did not find evidence for many qualitative sex differences in the therapeutic effect of clinically approved GLP-1 analogs, a growing body of literature highlights quantitative sex differences in the response to GLP-1 and its analogs as well as an interaction of these therapeutics with estrogens. What also clearly emerges is the paucity of data in female animal models or women in very basic aspects of the science of GLP-1-gaps that should be urgently mended, given the growing popularity of these medications, especially in women.</p>","PeriodicalId":11819,"journal":{"name":"Endocrinology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Endocrinology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1210/endocr/bqae165","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
While obesity and diabetes are prevalent in both men and women, some aspects of these diseases differ by sex. A new blockbuster class of therapeutics, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogs (eg, semaglutide), shows promise at curbing both diseases. This review addresses the topic of sex differences in the endogenous and therapeutic actions of GLP-1 and its analogs. Work on sex differences in human studies and animal research is reviewed. Preclinical data on the mechanisms of potential sex differences in the endogenous GLP-1 system as well as the therapeutic effect of GLP-1 analogs, focusing on the effects of the drugs on the brain and behavior relating to appetite and metabolism, are highlighted. Moreover, recent clinical evidence of sex differences in the therapeutic effects of GLP-1 analogs in obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are discussed. Lastly, we review evidence for the role of GLP-1 analogs in mood and reproductive function, with particular attention to sex differences. Overall, while we did not find evidence for many qualitative sex differences in the therapeutic effect of clinically approved GLP-1 analogs, a growing body of literature highlights quantitative sex differences in the response to GLP-1 and its analogs as well as an interaction of these therapeutics with estrogens. What also clearly emerges is the paucity of data in female animal models or women in very basic aspects of the science of GLP-1-gaps that should be urgently mended, given the growing popularity of these medications, especially in women.
期刊介绍:
The mission of Endocrinology is to be the authoritative source of emerging hormone science and to disseminate that new knowledge to scientists, clinicians, and the public in a way that will enable "hormone science to health." Endocrinology welcomes the submission of original research investigating endocrine systems and diseases at all levels of biological organization, incorporating molecular mechanistic studies, such as hormone-receptor interactions, in all areas of endocrinology, as well as cross-disciplinary and integrative studies. The editors of Endocrinology encourage the submission of research in emerging areas not traditionally recognized as endocrinology or metabolism in addition to the following traditionally recognized fields: Adrenal; Bone Health and Osteoporosis; Cardiovascular Endocrinology; Diabetes; Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals; Endocrine Neoplasia and Cancer; Growth; Neuroendocrinology; Nuclear Receptors and Their Ligands; Obesity; Reproductive Endocrinology; Signaling Pathways; and Thyroid.