Avogaro A, de Kreutzenberg SV, Morieri ML, Fadini GP, Del Prato S. Glucose-lowering drugs with cardiovascular benefits as modifiers of critical elements of the human life history.
Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2022;
10:882-889. [PMID:
36182702 DOI:
10.1016/s2213-8587(22)00247-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The life history theory assumes that all organisms are under selective pressure to harvest external resources and allocate them to maximise fitness: only organisms making the best use of energy obtain the greatest fitness benefits. The trade-off of energy spans four functions: maintenance, growth, reproduction, and defence against pathogens. The innovative antihyperglycaemic agents glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors decrease bodyweight and have the potential to counter low-grade inflammation. These key activities could rewire two components of the life history theory operative in adulthood-ie, maintenance and defence. In this Personal View, we postulate that the benefits of these medications on the cardiovascular system, beyond their glucose-lowering effects, could be mediated by the reduction of the maintenance cost driven by obesity and efforts spent on blunting low-grade inflammation.
Collapse