Role of GLP-1 receptor agonists

GLP-1 receptor agonist, also called glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist, is a relatively new hypoglycemic agent developed in recent years. GLP-1 is a peptide hormone secreted by intestinal L-cells in human body. Its mechanism of action is to act on pancreatic β-cells to promote the synthesis and secretion of insulin, and also stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of pancreatic β-cells and inhibit the apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells, which has the effect of protecting the function of pancreatic islets. It also has the effect of suppressing appetite and delaying gastric emptying, and through these effects together, it achieves the effect of lowering sugar. Since GLP-1 produced in human body is easily hydrolyzed by dipeptidyl peptidase 4 in the body, the half-life is very short, less than 5 minutes. Therefore, GLP-1 receptor agonist synthesized by amino acid modification cannot be hydrolyzed by dipeptidyl peptidase 4 in the body, which greatly prolongs the action time and has the effect of lowering glucose and protecting pancreatic islet function, and also has the effect of mild weight loss.