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DHR Proceedings ǀ http://dhrproceedings.org 79 2023, Vol. 2 No. S2 79-86 

 

COMMENTARY 

Benefits of GLP-1 Agonists 
 

Julian Ruben Alaniz1,2, Juan Avila1,4, Klarissa Renee Cantu1,2, Joe Frank Cruz1,4, Hector De La 

Cruz1,5, Aileen Jaramillo1,5, Fabiola Lopez Sanchez1,3, Gia Pena1,4, Alan Salinas1,4, Sadie Faye 

Viera1,2, Karely Cantu1,6, Jacob Ryan Garcia1,2 

 
1 3rdAnnual Junior Clinical Research Internship, South Texas Academy for Education & Training in Research, DHR Health  

   Institute for Research and Development 
2 Benavides Secondary School, Benavides, TX 
3 Raymond & Tirza Martin High School, Laredo, TX 
4 Edinburg North High School, Edinburg, TX  
5 Zapata High School, Zapata, TX 
6 McAllen High School, Mcallen, TX 

 

Received: November 1, 2023 

Accepted for publication: November 3, 2023 

Published: November 16, 2023

 
 
Introduction 

 
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, 

are a class of medications which are utilized in the 

treatment of type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The body 

naturally produces the hormone GLP-1 when the gut 

is stimulated by the consumption of food.1 Type 2 

diabetes can cause many health issues such as heart 

disease, foot problems and chronic kidney disease 

(CKD).2 GLP-1 drugs work by mimicking the GLP-1 

hormone that the body would naturally produce in 

three ways. First, stimulates release of insulin from the 

pancreas after eating. Second, inhibits the release of a 

hormone called glucagon, which stimulates the liver 

into releasing sugars that have been stored in the 

bloodstream. Third, it slows absorption of glucose into 

the blood by reducing the speed at which the stomach 

empties after consuming food, which makes you feel 

satisfied, extending the sensation of feeling full after 

eating.3 These effects combine, keeping your blood 

sugars down, supporting other benefits of taking a 

GLP-1 drug.  

 

Metabolic Benefits 
 

Metabolism is a balancing act involving two 

kinds of activities that go on at the same time. The first 

is a build-up of body tissue and energy stores, known 

as anabolism. The second activity consists of  

 

 

storing energy to get more fuel for the body's 

functions, known as catabolism. Metabolism is 

focused on building and storing. It supports the growth 

of new cells, storing all energy for future use. In 

anabolism, small molecules transform into larger, 

more complex molecules of carbohydrates, protein, 

and fat. The use of GLP-1Ras (glucagon-like peptide-

1 receptor agonists) has significantly increased 

cardiovascular activity in patients with type 2 diabetes. 

This new antidiabetic drug class has decreased 

cardiovascular mortality and promotes lifespan. Some 

benefits include decreased blood pressure values, 

weight reduction, and improvement of dyslipidemia 

(abnormal amount of lipids in the blood), 

improvements of blood circulation potentially 

increasing nitric oxide levels inhibiting clotting 

factors, such as thromboxane A2, selectins, and 

vascular cell adhesion molecules.2 Reducing hepatic 

lipogenesis and augmenting mitochondrial oxidative 

capacity increases energy expenditure and brown 

adipose tissue. A study done by Holst JJ showed that 

Tirzepatide dose-dependently lowered triglyceride, 

apoC-III, and apoB levels over time as well as reduced 

the number of large triglyceride-rich lipoprotein 

particles and small low-density lipoprotein particles 

compared to dulaglutide and/or placebo. These 

findings indicate increased insulin sensitivity and a 

shift toward a less atherogenic lipoprotein profile in 

subjects with T2D treated with tirzepatide, with 

potential implications for cardiovascular safety.  

 



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Cardiovascular Benefits 
 

Glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) has been 

linked to being beneficial in aiding the improvement 

in the human body. One of those benefits is helping 

cardiovascular health. The GLP-1 receptor has been 

found in all four chambers of the heart. It has been 

shown that GLP-1 is favorable in lowering 

triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood.3 The wide 

variety of benefits have been shown to improve the 

quality of life of those with and without diabetes, each 

with varying cardiovascular diseases, killing 

thousands of people every year. Cardiovascular 

disease (CVD) or heart disease, continues to be the 

predominant cause of mortality in the United States. It 

claimed the lives of 928,741 individuals in 2020 and 

took approximately 695,000 lives in 2021, 

representing 1 out of every five deaths nationwide, this 

computes to one death every 33 seconds.4 

Cardiovascular disease affects all ethnicities, but some 

groups are more at risk than others, such as African 

Americans, and Hispanic Americans are more likely 

to develop CVD than Caucasians. Both men and 

women are at risk of CVD but men can develop it at a 

younger age than women. However, for women, the 

risk of CVD increases after menopause.5 Moreover, 

the mortality rate of men and women who succumb to 

cardiovascular disease is significantly correlated to the 

high cost of treatment for these diseases.  

 

Finding alternative treatments for 

cardiovascular disease, such as the GLP-1, can aid 

clinicians in improving patients’ health and relieving 

the potential financial burden placed on a patient and 

their overall quality of life. This combined with 

healthy lifestyle choices can further improve the 

patient’s health outcome resulting in a change in the 

condition of the patient when they finish their 

treatment. The Agonism of the receptor has been 

shown to improve the endothelial function. The 

theoretical mechanisms of the anti-atherosclerotic 

effects of the agents would change the amount of force 

the heart would have to exert to pump blood 

throughout the cardiovascular system. Clinical studies 

have shown a reduction in intracellular calcium 

overload of high stress and glucose-induced apoptosis. 

This means that patients would have a reduced risk of 

heart related conditions and diseases. It does not have 

an effect on hospitalization admission based on heart 

complications. Overall, this evidence suggests that 

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) can be an effective 

treatment to improve cardiovascular health. 

 

 

 

Neurological Benefits 

 

The nervous system is one of the most 

important systems in the human body due to its many 

functions such as sending signals to the rest of the 

body to maintain homeostasis. The benefits of 

glucagon-like peptide-1 on the nervous system are 

numerous including, but not limited to, prevention of 

conditions such as Alzheimer’s, anti-addictive 

properties, and affects the relationship that the body 

has with food.   

 

Alzheimer's 
 

Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder in which 

neurofibrils, which are responsible for sending 

messages in the brain, get tangled due to an 

overproduction of beta-amyloid peptides.10 It is 

usually characterized by the loss of memory that 

people experience. After studies conducted on male 

rats, it was determined that GLP-1 improved spatial 

memory in mice.10 Spatial means relating to space in 

an environment; spatial memory functions as a 

remembrance of objects in relation to a room as well 

as correlating objects to others based on function. This 

means that administration of a GLP-1 agonist could 

potentially improve memory function in persons with 

Alzheimer’s disorder. Moreover, GLP-1 agonist 

liraglutide has been shown to cross the 

hematoencephalic barrier where, besides the GLP-1 

receptor activation, it has pleiotropic neuroprotective 

effects which could represent a viable use for the 

treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and after 

intra- cerebral hemorrhage. The regulation of GLP-1 

agonists indirectly nourishes cells through the process 

of glycolysis; models of astrocytes in persons with 

Alzheimer’s disease show that they are lacking this 

process which is why they develop the disease in the 

first place.10  

 

Anti-addictive properties 
 

There are copious amounts of research into 

the effect that GLP-1 agonists have on addictions such 

as alcohol use disorder, or AUD, primarily done on 

non-human mammals. The GLP-1 agonists that have 

shown the most promising results are exenatide and 

liraglutide. A human clinical trial, which was 

terminated due to the then ongoing COVID-19 

pandemic, on the effects of Exenatide on substance use 

disorders, such as alcohol and nicotine, has shown 

promising results.11 Some of the results that could be 

analyzed showed that when exposed to GLP-1 

agonists such as exenatide, dulaglutide, and liraglutide 

many subjects in the clinical trial reported a decrease 



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in their use of their preferred substance to abuse of.11 

The results from recent clinical trials show favorable 

results against substances such as cocaine and alcohol. 

However, most of the studies that have been conducted 

are either ongoing or are not conducted on human 

subjects, which limits the availability of information.   

 

Relationship with food 
 

The human body is constantly working to 

maintain homeostasis through the different body 

systems. In order to maintain proper levels of nutrients 

and energy, the nervous system releases hormones that 

make a person feel ‘hunger’ so that food can be 

ingested. Once there are enough nutrients or food to be 

digested there is a decrease in hormone levels which 

leads to someone feeling ‘full’ or satiated.12 One of the 

peptide hormones that is released is GLP-1 agonists. 

This is why this peptide is normally recommended for 

obesity and weight loss. GLP-1 agonists mobilize the 

afferent vagus nerve in order to release the nucleus 

tractus solitarii preproglucagon (NTS PPG) and 

nucleus tractus solitarii dopamine beta-hydroxylase 

(NTS DBH).12 NTS PPG is used in order to generate 

major hormones and NTS DBH starts the process of 

altering dopamine into norepinephrine. 

Norepinephrine is used to maintain proper blood levels 

in the body. This in turn reduces the quantity of food 

consumption as well as meal portions.  

 

Endocrine Benefits 
 

The endocrine system is made up of the 

hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal 

glands, parathyroid glands, pineal gland, thymus, and 

pancreas.  It has important functions like releasing 

hormones that can control metabolism, growth, 

reproduction, and sleep.13 Yet, its interaction with the 

GLP-1 hormone has shown to have benefits including 

weight loss, increased fertility in women with 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and 

strengthening the immune system against diseases. 

 

Reduced risk of cancer 
 

The endocrine system is intricately linked 

with other systems of the body, including the nervous 

and immune systems. For example, the thymus is an 

organ associated with the immune system that helps 

fight off infections by controlling white blood cells, 

while the brain, specifically the hypothalamus, 

maintains homeostasis by sending a signal to the 

pituitary gland to correct that abnormality.14 As a 

result of this homeostatic loop, the pituitary gland 

releases hormones that cause the body’s temperature 

to rise to fight off the infection. Antigens entering the 

body though the environment or via vaccines, trigger 

a response by immune cells by activating “natural 

killer” (NK) cells. These play the role of a natural 

vaccine that is produced by the body’s immune 

system, without the prior introduction of foreign 

antigens to trigger that immune response.15 They do 

this by spotting and destroying mutated cells 

throughout the body, in effect also helping to prevent 

the spread of cancer cells. In this scenario, obesity can 

be problematic by disrupting these cells, putting 

overweight individuals at higher risk of cancer. 

Although GLP-1 drugs are traditionally prescribed to 

people with type 2 diabetes, it has also been shown to 

cause weight loss, which has a positive effect on 

patients with obesity by restoring “natural killer” (NK) 

cells that improve the immune system. In a study done 

at Maynooth University, researchers followed the 

progress of twenty obese participants who were 

prescribed a semaglutide (GLP-1) once weekly for 

over six months. The results of this study found that 

these patients had improved NK cell function.16 

Separate from just weight loss, GLP-1 agonists have 

preventative benefits by helping to reduce the risk of 

cancer, one of the many detrimental complications 

associated with obesity. 

 

Increased fertility  
 

Obesity can lead to many other health 

complications, including its association with 

polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Polycystic ovary 

syndrome is an endocrine disorder where the hormone 

androgen is secreted excessively, producing cysts 

within the ovaries.  PCOS affects females and can 

cause infertility, weight gain, insulin resistance, and 

heart issues, among other medical difficulties.17 

Insulin resistance in some women with PCOS puts 

them at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes due 

to the body not being able to use the insulin produced 

by the pancreas effectively. The etiology behind this is 

complex, with one reason thought to be related to 

pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, but a combination of 

many genetic factors and metabolic processes in the 

body are thought to be involved.18 Fairly new, but 

limited, shows that GLP-1 agonist semaglutide aids in 

not only weight reduction in PCOS patients but also is 

correlated with the reproductive system.19 This by 

extension increases fertility since it helps reduce 

inflammation and fibrosis in the ovaries.19 

 

Although limited, this research is an 

encouraging start that proves more studies are needed 

to investigate GLP-1 and how it has far-reaching 

benefits beyond the scope of treating diabetes and can 



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be used to treat other complex endocrine disorders 

such as PCOS as well.   

 

Reduction of diabetes risk  
 

Due to the necessity for the normal 

developmental process and maturity of vertebrates as 

well as its ability to control metabolism, growth, and 

development, the thyroid is a significant gland in the 

system known as the endocrine system.  Thyroid 

hormones exhibit a variety of effects on the heart, 

muscles, and digestive system. The rate of heartbeat 

and cardiac contraction is increased by the thyroid, 

which enhances both the systolic and diastolic activity 

of the heart. This prolongs life expectancy and lowers 

the risk of myocardial infarction while also enhancing 

the quality of life.20 

 

 A main condition people get from their 

endocrine system tends to be diabetes. Diabetes comes 

in two different types: The likelihood of acquiring type 

1 diabetes is increased by geography, age, genetics, 

and family history. With type 2 diabetes, on the other 

hand, the human body either becomes resistant to 

insulin or stops generating sufficient insulin; another 

difference is that type 2 diabetes develops mostly 

through genetics, advanced age, sedentary lifestyle, 

bad dietary lifestyle, and obesity. 

 

Despite the fact that it might seem like a 

person has no symptoms or visible indicators of the 

condition, it may take weeks, months, or even years 

before one can be certain that they have type 1 

diabetes. It can happen as a result of an autoimmune 

reaction in which beta cells assault the pancreas and 

destroy insulin. Since human bodies convert food into 

glucose after eating and release it into the blood, 

insulin is crucial to the human body. Then, insulin aids 

in transferring the glucose from the blood into cells, 

where it can be used as an energy source now or in the 

future. Patients with type 1 diabetes do not produce 

enough or any insulin, which prevents the glucose 

from entering the cells and accumulating in the 

bloodstream rendering the energy useless.  

 

Since insulin is so important to humans, type 

1 diabetes's lack of it disrupts the entire process of how 

humans obtain energy. Many GLP-1 users report 

feeling more invigorated after taking the drug; this 

experience indicates that the drug is working as 

intended to increase glucose in human bodies. 

Conversely, Type 2 diabetes has an adverse effect on 

a number of important organs, the kidneys, blood 

vessels, nerves, eyes, and heart.20 Additionally, risk 

factors for diabetes may raise the chance of other 

serious illnesses. Controlling blood sugar and 

managing diabetes can reduce the risk of these 

problems and other illnesses. Despite the many risk 

factors, there are several approaches to fight this 

illness, including raising the standard of living, more 

physical activity, and the intake of semaglutide. 

Semaglutide is prescribed to some individuals who are 

at risk of getting diabetes because it aids in weight 

loss, which lowers the risk of developing diabetes. 

When blood sugar levels start to rise after eating, these 

medications may also encourage the body to produce 

more insulin. The extra insulin helps lower blood 

sugar levels. Lower blood sugar levels can aid in the 

management of type 2 diabetes.21 

 

Benefits for the Liver 
 

The liver is both an organ and a gland that is 

roughly the size of a football and the color is reddish-

brown, however, the size changes according to a 

person’s weight and height. The liver is a vital organ 

that carries out numerous tasks required for life 

support. Since it produces proteins and hormones that 

are required by other bodily components, this makes it 

a gland. The liver is the biggest internal organ, 

weighing about three pounds in an adult. The liver is 

located in the upper abdomen and is responsible for 

several biological processes such as removing all 

toxins from the body's blood, helping regulate blood 

sugar, and helping blood clotting.30 Fatty liver disease 

is one of the most common diseases that can harm the 

liver. Obesity, diabetes, and heavy alcohol 

consumption are among the components that can lead 

to fatty liver. Toxin-like effects of fatty liver can cause 

inflammation in the liver cells and lead to the 

development of cirrhosis. 

 

Anyone who suffers from liver disease or in 

particular “Non-Alcoholic fatty-liver disease” can get 

benefits from taking GLP-1 agonists. The fatty liver 

disease is a disease that builds up fat around the liver 

which causes several health issues within the whole 

body. Symptoms of fatty liver disease often include, 

Abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness in the upper 

right side of the abdomen (belly). Nausea, loss of 

appetite or weight loss. Yellowish skin and whites of 

the eyes (jaundice). Swollen abdomen and legs 

(edema). To diagnose NAFLD and distinguish 

between NAFL and NASH, doctors employ blood 

testing, imaging tests, and occasionally liver biopsies. 

For blood testing, you give a blood sample, then send 

that specimen to a lab. If your blood test results reveal 

an elevated amount of the liver's enzymes alanine 

aminotransferase, or ALT, and the aminotransferase 



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aspartate (AST), your doctor may assume you have 

NAFLD.27 

 

Another liver disease is cirrhosis. Cirrhosis 

mainly affects people who are overweight, drink too 

much alcohol, and have viral hepatitis. Fatigue, 

bruising, bleeding, appetite decrease, nausea, edema, 

weight loss, rough skin, jaundice, ascites, spider-like 

blood vessels, red palms, pale fingernails, clubbing, 

menopause, sex desire, testicular atrophy, 

gynecomastia, breast enlargement, and fuzziness can 

all be symptoms of this condition. 

 

A previous study observed mice with NASH 

and were given cotadutide which led to improvements 

in liver histology, including decreases in steatosis, 

inflammation, and fibrosis.33 This evidence suggests 

that GLP-1 Agonists can have a positive effect on liver 

disease and can directly lower hepatic lipogenesis and 

increase mitochondrial oxidative capability while also 

indirectly improving the clinical components of 

NASH. GLP-1 can enhance liver function, fat content 

and distribution, and lipid metabolism while lowering 

the activity of inflammatory cytokines and the signal 

transduction pathways connected to the hepatocytes 

which helps the liver decrease the chance of leading to 

Cirrhosis. Additionally, since adipose liver poses a 

risk to life, lowering the fatty tissue, GLP-1 can even 

improve the conditions of fatty liver by reducing 

steatosis. The liver has repeatedly been reported to be 

a target for GLP-1.31 GLP-1 receptor agonists are a 

new medication that mimics insulin in the human 

body. They have great effects such as reducing 

inflammation and improving insulin in the body. This 

medication is often given by injection and well 

tolerated, it can also have side effects more commonly 

as nausea and vomiting.32 

 

Gastrointestinal Benefits 
 

The gastrointestinal (GI) system, also known 

as the digestive system, is a vital part of the human 

body that plays an important role in maintaining 

overall health and well-being. Its importance consists 

of several specific functions that human bodies need, 

such as digestion, nutrient absorption, gut microbiota 

balance, and hormone production.38 The 

gastrointestinal system's proper functioning is 

essential for the maintenance of good health, immune 

function, energy production, and overall vitality. Any 

disruptions or disorders in this system can lead to 

various health issues and impact the body's ability to 

function correctly, such as a leaky gut affecting gut 

permeability as well as overall intestinal barrier 

function. 

Colonic Permeability Improvement 
 

GLP-1 may play a role in maintaining the 

integrity of the gut barrier. This could involve 

supporting the tight junctions between the cells of the 

intestinal lining, which prevent the leakage of harmful 

substances into the bloodstream.35 Conditions such as 

leaky gut, where the lining of the intestines becomes 

more permeable than normal, allowing substances 

such as bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles 

to leak from the intestines into the bloodstream, can 

benefit from the administration of the GLP-1 

agonists.35 The connection between the brain and the 

GI tract, also known as the blood-brain-barrier, is 

accessed through a hormone called Orexin that is 

released when administered the GLP-1 agonist. 

Although orexin is a naturally produced hormone by 

the brain’s hypothalamus which controls the body’s 

energy, appetite, and wakefulness, injection of the 

GLP-1 agonist aids in orexin action potential, which in 

turn helps support decrease colonic 

hyperpermeability.34,36 Through this action potential, 

the brain can affect the function of gut microbiota 

through the autonomic nervous system, by balancing 

regional gut motility, intestinal transit and secretion, 

and gut permeability, and potentially through the 

secretion of hormones, such as epinephrine, that 

proportionally affect microbial gene expression, 

which shows promise of aiding in both the symptoms 

from an individual with leaky gut syndrome, involving 

stomach bloating and intestinal permeability, as well 

as someone with Irritable bowel syndrome, consisting 

of bowel inflammation and constipation or 

diarrhea.37,39  

  

Conclusion 
 

Many individuals considered low-income as 

the lower-middle class will not have as much 

availability to medications such as GLP-1 agonists due 

to the cost and the type of health insurance they may 

have. Additionally, while there are many benefits there 

are also risks that are associated with this medication, 

however, more research needs to be done to accurately 

assess how much it can damage a person’s body as 

well as if the effects are reversible or permanent. 

Moreover, this form of medication used on the human 

body is recent so the effects that this medication may 

have as a person’s age progresses is still unknown. 

Furthermore, there is also a judgment that may be 

passed by society due to the implications that taking 

medication may have. However, there is also a need 

for more studies to fully grasp this medication's effect 

on the entire human body. For instance, there are still 



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DHR Proceedings ǀ http://dhrproceedings.org 84 2023, Vol. 2 No. S2 79-86 

organs that need to be studied to successfully record 

the effects of medications such as GLP-1 agonists 

 

Acknowledgements 

 
Monica Betancourt-Garcia, MD, Program Director; 

Melissa Eddy, MS, Program Manager  

 

Funding 

 
Funded by DHR Health Institute for Research & 

Development; DHR Health; Region One ESC 

GEARUP College Ready, Career Set!; Region One 

ESC GEARUP College Now, Career Connected; 

Region One ESC PATHS; Region One ESC Upward   

Bound Math & Science; Benavides ISD; and Jubilee 

Academy-Brownsville 

 

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