Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide 3.0 mg in Patients with Overweight and Obese with or without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Efficacy and safety of tirzepatide versus placebo in overweight or obese adults without diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Tirzepatide was approved to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, but its efficacy and safety in patients without diabetes has not been investigated.

AIM

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide compared to placebo in overweight or obese patients without diabetes.

METHOD

PubMed, Embase and Cochrane were searched on January 18, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used tirzepatide in overweight or obese adults without diabetes were included. Efficacy outcomes included the proportion of participants achieving weight loss targets, changes in body weight (%), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure (BP). Safety outcomes were commonly reported adverse events. Standardized mean differences (SMD) or odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for continuous and dichotomous outcomes, respectively.

RESULTS

Three RCTs with 3901 participants were included. Tirzepatide was associated with increased proportion of participants achieving weight loss targets, reduced body weight (SMD - 1.61, 95% CI - 2.20 to - 1.02), BMI (SMD - 2.13, 95% CI - 3.08 to - 1.18), WC (SMD - 0.91, 95% CI - 1.14 to - 0.69), and BP versus placebo. However, the risk of adverse events such as nausea (OR 4.26, 95% CI 2.60 to 3.81), vomiting (OR 8.35, 95% CI 5.19 to 13.45), and diarrhea (OR 3.57, 95% CI 2.80 to 4.57) was significantly higher for tirzepatide versus placebo.

CONCLUSION

Tirzepatide significantly reduced weight and improved metabolic markers among overweight or obese without diabetes. However, increased adverse events highlights the need for benefits versus risks assessment before initiation and continuous monitoring.

Differential Efficacy of Weight Loss Interventions in Patients with Versus Without Diabetes

Obesity is both a major risk factor for diabetes and a serious comorbidity of the condition. The twin epidemics of obesity and diabetes have spread globally over the past few decades. Treatment of obesity in patients with diabetes provides a host of clinical benefits that encompass virtually all body systems. Despite this, multiple lines of evidence suggest that the efficacy of most therapies for weight loss is significantly reduced among patients with diabetes. With this background, we summarize the evidence of a differential effect of lifestyle, pharmacological, and surgical treatments for obesity in patients with existing diabetes, and explore the potential mechanisms involved in this phenomenon. This information is then used to formulate strategies to improve weight loss outcomes for patients with diabetes.

The Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on Body Mass Index and the Resolution of Other Metabolic Syndrome Components in Patients over 50 Years Old during a Two Year Follow-Up

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome, defined by the coexistence of central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, is a significant contributor to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the aging population. We aimed to determine whether age influences the efficacy of LSG in treating obesity-related comorbidities. Methods: A retrospective analysis of lipid profiles, glycemic and clinical parameters was conducted in a group of 786 patients in two age groups (under 50 years old and over 50 years old) who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with follow-ups 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. Results: There was a significant improvement in lipid metabolism with no significant differences between the two age groups in these parameters throughout the observation period. Furthermore, there was significant weight loss (54.82 kg vs. 54.56 kg) and BMI reductions (47.71 kg/m2 vs. 47.01 kg/m2 to 29.03 kg/m2 vs. 30.73 kg/m2). Total cholesterol decreased from 198 mg/dL to 184.9 mg/dL (<50 years old) and from 206.4 mg/dL to 193 mg/dL (>50 years old). LDL dropped from 136.2 mg/dL to 116.7 mg/dL and from 141.0 mg/dL to 121.0 mg/dL. Mean HbA1c decreased to comparable levels (5.66% vs. 5.53%). Both groups showed similar rates of remission for type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that LSG is an effective method for treating components of metabolic syndrome regardless of age, supporting its use as a therapeutic tool for older patients.

Liraglutide's Effect on Weight Management in Subjects With Pre-diabetes: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite the growing literature, the effectiveness of liraglutide in weight management among individuals with prediabetes and in preventing the disease remains controversial. This study aims to critically evaluate the extent of liraglutide's impact on weight management in this population and assess the heterogeneity among extant studies.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted across MEDLINE, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the reference list of retrieved studies to identify eligible English language randomized controlled trials evaluating liraglutide's effect on weight in individuals with pre-diabetes. Non-randomized studies, studies not reporting relevant outcomes, and those conducted on patients with type 2 diabetes were excluded from this review. Outcomes included a change from baseline in absolute body weight in kg, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Additional safety outcomes were also reported. Data were analyzed using R statistical software version 4.3.1. A fixed-effect model was used when pooling crude numbers for study outcomes. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis using random-effect model was performed and heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics.

RESULTS

Five eligible studies were included, with a total of 1604 subjects in the liraglutide arm and 859 subjects in the control arm. Participants exposed to liraglutide showed a decrease in body weight (mean difference [MD] = -4.95 kg; 95% CI -5.16, -4.73; I2 = 93%), BMI (MD = -2.06 kg/m2; 95%CI -2.22, -1.89; I2 = 97%), waist circumference (MD = -4.61 cm; 95% CI -4.79, -4.43; I2 = 82%), HbA1c (MD = -0.33%; 95%CI -0.34, -0.31; I2 = 100%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (MD = -0.36 mmol/L; 95% CI -0.39, -0.33; I2 = 99%). The overall effect size remained similar when using a random-effects model for all outcomes. In addition, the rate of adverse events was higher with liraglutide when compared to the control; however, the dropout rates were relatively lower in the former arm.

CONCLUSION

While our meta-analysis suggests that liraglutide can reduce body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and HbA1c levels in individuals with pre-diabetes, the findings should be interpreted cautiously due to limitations such as the small number of trials and their short duration, and variability in dosages. Further randomized controlled trials examining long-term outcomes are essential to validate these findings and address the high heterogeneity among the studies included in this analysis.

Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide in Overweight or Obese Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide treatment in overweight or obese patients without type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Randomized clinical trials that assessed the impact of once-weekly semaglutide on body weight and safety outcomes in overweight or obese patients were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, and Lilacs up to November 2023. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2.0, and certainty of evidence (CoE) with GRADE. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Ten publications, with 22.155 patients, were included. Semaglutide decreased relative body weight (MD: -11.80; 95%CI: -13.53 to -10.07; CoE: High), absolute body weight (MD: -11.58; 95%CI: -13.25 to -9.90; CoE: High) and BMI (MD: -4.15; 95%CI: -4.85 to -3.45; CoE: High). Semaglutide also increased the proportion of patients who achieved 5%, 10%, and 15% of weight loss ([weight loss≥5%: RR 2.29, 95% CI: 1.88 to 2.80; CoE: High]; [weight loss≥10%: RR 4.54, 95% CI: 3.45 to 5.98; CoE: High]; [weight loss≥15%: RR 8.29, 95%CI: 5.54 to 12.39; CoE: High]). Semaglutide leads to small risk to adverse events (RR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1 to 1.06; CoE: High), no difference in the serious adverse events (RR: 1.07; 95%CI: 0.70 to 1.62; CoE: Low), but increases in the risk to discontinued treatment (RR: 2.03; 95%CI: 1.87 to 2.20; CoE: High) and gastrointestinal adverse events (RR: 3.26; 95%CI: 1.99 to 5.34; CoE: Moderate).

CONCLUSION

This up-to-date systematic review highlights that once-weekly semaglutide treatment resulted in clinically important weight loss, becoming a promising adjuvant therapy for obesity.

Long-term weight outcomes in patients treated with liraglutide 3.0 mg in real-world clinical practice

Long-term weight outcomes reflect the success of obesity treatment. Weight regain during treatment for obesity is a biologically maladaptive response that can be considered a central feature of the disease. This phenomenon has been well documented in patients treated with lifestyle changes and bariatric surgery. In patients treated with liraglutide 3.0 mg this has been documented in randomized control trials, but real-world analysis is lacking. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to explore the long-term weight outcomes in patients treated with liraglutide 3.0 mg in a real-world clinical practice. The association between body composition changes and weight outcomes was also explored. The study included 25 patients treated with multi-modal care that included liraglutide 3.0 mg over a period of 78 weeks. Body composition was examined via dual x-ray absorptiometry at 16 and 32 weeks, with body weight captured up until 78 weeks for all patients. Weight loss (R2  = 0.39, p < .001), fat mass loss (R2  = 0.32, p = .003) and fat-free mass loss (R2  = 0.19, p = .03) were all associated with weight change from artificial nadir, which was, on average, 3.8 kg. For body composition, after adjustment, only fat mass loss was associated weight regain (R2  = 0.32, p = .01). In conclusion, in patients with clinical obesity treated with liraglutide 3.0 mg in a real-world clinical setting, fat mass loss was associated with weight regain. Whilst weight regain occurred on average, the magnitude was less than that observed in patients treated with lifestyle alone and weight loss remained clinically significant for most patients.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Liraglutide on Metabolic Parameters in the Treatment of Obesity

Background One of the essential chronic diseases is obesity, which negatively affects the individual and society. Liraglutide (LG) is an effective treatment for both obesity treatment and metabolic control. This study aims to show the effect of a 3.0 mg dose of LG, injected subcutaneously once a day, on weight loss and metabolic parameters. Methods This retrospective single-center study included 67 patients (60 women and seven men) with a BMI of at least 27 kg/m2 with comorbidities or a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical data of the participants were evaluated at the end of the four and 16 weeks. Results The mean body weight (BW) loss of patients using LG at 16 weeks was -11.71±2.21 kg. After the four and 16 weeks of beginning the LG use, the patients who lost more than 5% of initial BW were 38.8% vs. 76.1%, respectively (p=0.034). The mean baseline Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance Index, hemoglobin A1c, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides values were significantly higher than the 4 and 16 weeks (p<0.001). Twenty-two (32.8 %) patients experienced side effects (SE) after starting LG treatment, and the most common SE was found to be nausea (29.4%). Conclusion The use of LG, which is not covered by insurance, together with diet and exercise, has been shown to have clinically significant weight loss and a positive effect on glycemic values ​​and lipid profile.

The efficacy of liraglutide combined with intragastric balloon on weight loss

OBJECTIVE

Intragastric balloon placement is an effective method for weight reduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combining liraglutide with intragastric balloon.

METHODS

Initially, demographic data of patients such as age, gender, comorbid diseases, adverse events, initial weight, height, body mass index, percent body fat, and waist-hip ratio were collected. Weight, body mass index, percent body fat, and waist-hip ratio were measured in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth months. Then, intragastric balloon was removed and liraglutide was stopped.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients were included in the study, of whom 28 (56%) were in Group A (intragastric balloon) and 22 (44%) were in Group B (plus liraglutide). Weight change at the time of balloon removal was higher in Group B [median weight change 13.8 (7.8 min to 16.8 max) versus 7.9 (4.8 min to 11.8 max); p<0.01]. When the weight, percent body fat, body mass index, and waist-hip ratio changes were compared according to gender, no significant difference was observed in the groups. Comorbid diseases were hypertension in 7 patients (4 in Group A and 3 in Group B) and diabetes in 9 patients (5 in Group A and 4 in Group B). No statistical significance was found.

CONCLUSION

Liraglutide has benefits in terms of weight, percent body fat, and body mass index reduction when administered with intragastric balloon.

New Insights into the Use of Liraglutide-Impact on Cardiovascular Risk and Microvascular Outcomes

Despite the availability of many glucose-lowering drugs, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often do not achieve the desired effect, and cardiovascular complications remain the leading cause of death in this group of patients. Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the properties of drugs, with particular emphasis on the possibility of reducing cardiovascular risk. One of them is liraglutide, which belongs to long-acting analogs of glucagon-like peptides-1 (GLP-1); it imitates incretins and causes an increase in insulin secretion. The current study focused on analyzing the efficacy and safety of liraglutide, as well as its impact on microvascular and cardiovascular outcomes in the treatment of patients with T2DM. Hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction, which is known to play a key role in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis, is common in diabetes. Liraglutide reduces endothelial dysfunction by reversing damage to endothelial cells. By reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby affecting Bax, Bcl-2 protein levels, and restoring signaling pathways, Liraglutide reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, and prevents endothelial cell apoptosis. Liraglutide has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system; patients with high cardiovascular risk particularly benefit from treatment, as it reduces their major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) rate, which takes into account cardiovascular death, stroke, and non-fatal myocardial infarction. Liraglutide reduces the occurrence and progression of nephropathy, which is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes.

Pharmacological Treatments and Natural Biocompounds in Weight Management

The obesity pandemic is one of society’s most urgent public health concerns. One-third of the global adult population may fall under obese or overweight by 2025, suggesting a rising demand for medical care and an exorbitant cost of healthcare expenditure in the coming years. Generally, the treatment strategy for obese patients is largely patient-centric and needs dietary, behavioral, pharmacological, and sometimes even surgical interventions. Given that obesity cases are rising in adults and children and lifestyle modifications have failed to produce the desired results, the need for medical therapy adjunct to lifestyle modifications is vital for better managing obesity. Most existing or past drugs for obesity treatment target satiety or monoamine pathways and induce a feeling of fullness in patients, while drugs such as orlistat are targeted against intestinal lipases. However, many medications targeted against neurotransmitters showed adverse events in patients, thus being withdrawn from the market. Alternatively, the combination of some drugs has been successfully tested in obesity management. However, the demand for novel, safer, and more efficacious pharmaceutical medicines for weight management does exist. The present review elucidates the current understanding of the available anti-obesity medicines of synthetic and natural origin, their main mechanisms of action, and the shortcomings associated with current weight management drugs.

Tirzepatide: A New Generation Therapeutic for Diabetes Type 2

Tirzepatide (mounjaro®) is a derivative of the human glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) hormone with a position-20 being modified with 1,20- eicosanedioic acid via a chemical linker. It acts as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor and GIP receptor agonist. It has recently been approved by FDA as an adjunct therapy to exercise and diet to improve glycemic control in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It represents a new transforming paradigm in the management of T2DM. This mini-review will shed light on its different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects.