Liraglutide (GLP-1) (1mg)

Description

What is the Liraglutide Peptide?

Liraglutide is a polypeptide drug analog of the naturally occurring protein called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide), containing 30 to 31 amino acids. Structurally similar to GLP-1, this lipopeptide is composed of the amino acid arginine and a hexadecanoyl group, which is attributed to this compound’s long-acting nature. The effects of this peptide last for approximately 11 to 15 hours, making it highly effective in treating ailments such as Type 2 diabetes.⁽¹⁾

Also known as Victoza, Liraglutide works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, a hormone produced in the intestine. GLP-1 increases insulin production and slows down gastric emptying after meals. Liraglutide also activates the brain’s satiety center, making the subject feel full. This helps with weight loss and obesity treatment. Furthermore, it stimulates the release of insulin from the beta cells in the pancreas, which helps lower blood glucose levels.

Liraglutide is commonly used as an adjunct to exercise and a balanced diet to combat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Liraglutide can be used alone or with other oral medications, such as sulfonylureas, metformin, or thiazolidinediones. This peptide is most commonly used in combination with insulin and an oral medication, such as metformin or thiazolidinedione. This combination is more effective than either medication alone in lowering blood sugar levels.

What are the benefits of Liraglutide Peptide?

Liraglutide, similar to GLP-1, causes the “incretin effect” in the body, a term coined by Dr. Holst.⁽²⁾  Incretins are the metabolic hormones produced in the body and released in the gastrointestinal tract which diminish the sugar levels in the blood. Besides, GLP-1 agonistic receptors are located on the surface of beta cells found in the human pancreas, making it evident that GLP-1 binds to this receptor inducing exocytosis of insulin released by the pancreas. 

When combined with certain other medications, the effects of Liraglutide are amplified. A 2007 study was conducted where the Liraglutide peptide was administered in a rat pancreas pretreated with sulfonylurea drugs. The study results demonstrate that:

“GLP-1 administration to isolated perfused rat pancreases at low perfusate glucose concentrations normally does not affect insulin secretion but resulted in dramatic stimulation of insulin secretion after pretreatment with sulfonylurea drugs. Indeed, 30–40% of patients treated with both sulfonyl urea compounds and a GLP-1 agonist (exendin 4, see below) experience, usually mild, hypoglycemia“.⁽²⁾

Other Benefits of the Liraglutide Peptide

• The Liraglutide peptide has shown promising signs as an effective treatment for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). One of the leading causes of T1DM is the complete ‘wipe out’ of pancreatic beta cells. A study conducted in 2006 has shown that GLP-1 inhibits the death of pancreatic beta cells and protects the islet cells from future destruction.⁽³⁾
• Liraglutide can help subjects reach a healthy weight by controlling hunger and increasing energy. Liraglutide induces satiety, making the individuals feel “fuller,” thereby reducing food intake. Recent clinical studies demonstrate that when this Liraglutide peptide was administered in mice two times per day, it caused gradual, linear weight loss and decreased appetite.⁽⁴⁾
• By reducing excessive weight, Liraglutide also helps decrease any risk of complications associated with type 2 diabetes. It helps reduce blood glucose levels, improving overall health and quality of life. Side effects from taking this medication are rare but may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and headache.
• GLP-1 agonistic receptors are present throughout the heart muscles. The Liraglutide peptide helps regulate cardiac function, boost heart rate, and reduce blood pressure. Liraglutide binds with the peptide and stimulates glucose uptake within the cardiac muscles, through which the oxygen-derived (ischemic) heart muscles receive the nutrition it needs and functions adequately. This helps prevent the cellular death of heart muscles. In other words, it helps prevent heart attacks. A.K. Bose et al. demonstrated for the first time that GLP-1 protected the heart against myocardial infarction, stating that “this finding (myocardial protection properties of GLP-1 and its analogs) may represent a new therapeutic potential for this class of drug that also appears to involve activating multiple prosurvival kinases.” ⁽⁵⁾
• The peptide binds with receptors in the brain and enhances the “associative and “spatial learning abilities in mice, which improves learning abilities. Matthew J. During states, “GLP-1R represents a promising new target for cognitive-enhancing and neuroprotective agents.” ⁽⁶⁾
• Due to its neuroprotective properties, Liraglutide could also potentially be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Amyloid beta, not necessarily the causative component, is a primary protein that increases the severity of the disease. Liraglutide reduces the concentration of amyloid beta in the brain cells, which is why it has become a promising agent for treating Alzheimer’s.

What are the Side Effects of Liraglutide?

The most common side effects include stomach pain or nausea, diarrhea, gas and bloating, dehydration (causing dry mouth), vomiting, and headache. 

Rare but severe side effects include heart problems such as heart failure or heart attack; low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia); the slow growth rate in children; low red blood cell counts (anemia); liver problems; thyroid cancer; pancreatic cancer; gallbladder cancer; osteosarcoma/bone cancers; kidney tumors; breast cancer. Liraglutide, on infrequent occasions, is also known to cause anxiety, cold sweats, depression, and nightmares.⁽⁷⁾

Liraglutide peptide should not be taken with certain blood pressure medications such as atenolol and bisoprolol. Using these together increases the risk of specific side effects.

Peptide Availability

Liraglutide, also known as Saxenda⁽⁷⁾, is available in solution form only, typically injected subcutaneously under the thighs or upper arms. It is highly discouraged in use in combination with other medications. Liraglutide yields the best results with positive lifestyle practices such as improved diet and exercise.

References:

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information (2022). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 16134956, Liraglutide. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Liraglutide
2. Holst JJ. The physiology of glucagon-like peptide 1. Physiol Rev. 2007 Oct;87(4):1409-39. DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00034.2006. PMID: 17928588. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17928588/
3. Tandong Yang, Meng Chen, Jeffrey D. Carter, Craig S. Nunemaker, James C. Garmey, Sarah D. Kimble, Jerry L. Nadler, Combined treatment with lisofylline and exendin-4 reverses autoimmune diabetes,  Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Volume 344, Issue 3,  2006, Pages 1017-1022, ISSN 0006-291X, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006291X06007066
4. Blonde L, Klein EJ, Han J, Zhang B, Mac SM, Poon TH, Taylor KL, Trautmann ME, Kim DD, Kendall DM. Interim analysis of the effects of exenatide treatment on A1C, weight and cardiovascular risk factors over 82 weeks in 314 overweight patients with type 2 diabetes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16776751/ 
5. Bose AK, Mocanu MM, Carr RD, Brand CL, Yellon DM. Glucagon-like peptide 1 can directly protect the heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Diabetes. 2005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15616022/  
6. During MJ, Cao L, Zuzga DS, Francis JS, Fitzsimons HL, Jiao X, Bland RJ, Klugmann M, Banks WA, Drucker DJ, Haile CN. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor is involved in learning and neuroprotection. Nat Med. 2003 Sep; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12925848   
7. Liraglutide (Subcutaneous route). https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/liraglutide-subcutaneous-route/side-effects/drg-20073828?p=1

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NOTE: These products are intended for laboratory research use only. Liraglutide for sale (1mg) is not intended for personal use. Please review and adhere to our Terms and Conditions before ordering.