Dimitar Marinov, Ph.D.
Dimitar Marinov, Ph.D.Looking for more information on potential liraglutide benefits, like weight loss and blood sugar management?
Liraglutide is a peptide that mimics the effects of GLP-1, a hormone produced in the gut that stimulates insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon secretion, decreases appetite, and slows gastric emptying.
Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated its benefits when administered to test subjects with type 2 diabetes and chronic weight issues.
More specifically, researchers have reported improved glycemic control, body fat loss, and lower cardiovascular risk factors in test subjects being given liraglutide. The peptide has also been shown to result in significant weight loss when combined with diet and exercise.
Below, researchers will find a summary of the most well-known benefits of liraglutide, its potential side effects, and potential avenues for further research.
Plus, we recommend our favorite liraglutide supplier for researchers who seek the highest quality peptides for their experiments.
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What is Liraglutide?
Liraglutide is a peptide belonging to the class of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, first developed in 1990 by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk [1].
It is a prescription-only medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and chronic weight issues in individuals aged 12 and above.
It is available as the brain name Victoza, which is FDA approved for diabetes management and reducing cardiovascular risk in diabetics [2, 3].
A higher dose of liraglutide under the brand name Saxenda is also approved for weight management in overweight and obese adults and adolescents aged 12-17 [4, 5].
As previously mentioned, liraglutide works by mimicking GLP-1. As an incretin, the main role of the GLP-1 hormone is to enhance the body's insulin response to food.
Liraglutide boasts 97% homology to the hormone, which allows the peptide to bind and activate GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas, brain, digestive system, kidneys, adipose tissue, and other organs.
The peptide has a half-life of about 13 hours, which is a marked improvement over GLP-1 and what allows it to be administered once daily.
Through its action, liraglutide stimulates insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon secretion, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite. These effects lead to lowered blood glucose, an increased feeling of fullness, and ultimately, reduced food intake.
In addition, liraglutide may also have potential benefits in other conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), psoriasis, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases [6, 7, 8, 9].
Top 5 Liraglutide Benefits | Clinical Trials and Data
Experiments and trials with liraglutide have revealed that the peptide offers a wide range of documented benefits for weight management, metabolic health, and certain chronic diseases.
Liraglutide for Weight Loss
By activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain, liraglutide can reduce appetite and food intake, ultimately leading to weight loss. In fact, weight loss is a major benefit of liraglutide, and as mentioned the peptide is indicated for chronic weight management in both adults and adolescents [4, 5].
Nevertheless, researchers continue to investigate the effects of the liraglutide on weight loss. For example, a 2022 meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice by Konwar et al. evaluated data from 14 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that looked at the effects of a daily liraglutide dose of 3.0mg [10].
The analysis revealed that liraglutide 3.0mg effectively reduces body weight, waist circumference, and BMI in overweight and obese individuals.
It is important to note that the majority of the trials included lifestyle interventions such as weight loss, diet, and exercise in both the case and control groups. Compared to controls, liraglutide led to a 10+ pound greater weight loss on average [10].
Similarly, another 2022 meta-analysis by Lin et al. included data from 6,028 participants and reported that liraglutide led to a nearly 5% greater body weight reduction over placebo [11].
Liraglutide for Fat Loss
Excess body fat—especially abdominal fat—can pose a significant health risk even in individuals who do not classify as overweight or obese based on BMI.
Excessive abdominal fat is a sign of visceral obesity, which is a significant risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. In fact, type 2 diabetics almost always have excess visceral fat levels, even though about 20% of them have normal BMI [12, 13].
A recent meta-analysis that included data from a total of 541 test subjects with type 2 diabetes investigated the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonist administration on subcutaneous and visceral fat.
The treatment group showed significant reductions in both visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue compared to controls. In their conclusion, the authors singled out liraglutide and exenatide as potentially being key to improving fat distribution [14].
Another 2022 meta-analysis published in Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism included 16 RCTs and reported that liraglutide significantly reduces visceral and liver fat in research participants, both diabetics and non-diabetics. The peptide was found most effective when administered for at least 16 weeks at a daily dose of at least 1.8mg [15].
Liraglutide for Type 2 Diabetes and Complications
As an FDA-approved type 2 diabetes medication, there is extensive data showcasing the benefits of liraglutide for the condition.
As of publication, one of the latest systematic reviews on the topic included data from 7413 T2D patients and reported that the peptide reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels by 0.9%-2.2% within six months of treatment initiation [16].
Further, liraglutide appears effective in lowering the risk of complications associated with type 2 diabetes, such as kidney disease and NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).
For example, a meta-analysis by Song et al. looked at data on 535 T2D patients with NAFLD spanning 11 trials, and found that liraglutide decreased liver fat, body mass index, lipoproteins, glycated hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to control groups [17].
Another meta-analysis by Mali et al. included data on more than 1500 participants with type 2 diabetes and revealed that the peptide significantly improves renal function in the test subjects. Specifically, T2D patients treated with liraglutide had lower levels of urine albumin-creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, cystatin C, and several inflammatory markers [18].
Liraglutide for Cardiovascular Health
Liraglutide holds FDA approval for reducing cardiovascular risk in at-risk individuals with type 2 diabetes. This decision is backed by various studies demonstrating that liraglutide can improve cardiovascular parameters, decrease the likelihood of cardiovascular events, and reduce mortality rates [3].
For example, Howell et al. reported that the peptide could lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline to follow-up by 12.38 and 5.55 points, respectively. Additionally, the study showed improvements in cholesterol levels and heart-rate variability of the T2D patients under study [19].
In addition to improving cardiovascular parameters, liraglutide has also been shown to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, in T2D patients with a history of such events [20].
One of the largest studies that evaluated the cardiovascular outcomes of liraglutide was the LEADER trial in diabetics. The research demonstrated that liraglutide reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 13% compared to placebo. The peptide also reduced the risk of all-cause mortality by 15% and fatal myocardial infarction risk by 40% [21].
Liraglutide for PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic disorder that affects women primarily who are overweight or obese. One of the main pathogenic factors for the disease is insulin resistance and elevated insulin levels, which in turn can lead to elevated androgens, hirsutism, and infertility.
A 2022 meta-analysis by Tian et al. included over 400 obese women with PCOS, finding that liraglutide could significantly enhance insulin sensitivity. The peptide was given either alone or as an add-on therapy, and additionally found that the liraglutide-treated patients had significantly improved BMI, weight, and waist circumference [22].
Another 2022 meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials demonstrated that liraglutide as an add-on to the standard PCOS therapy of metformin was more effective in improving fasting blood sugar and other indexes of insulin sensitivity than metformin alone [23].
These results indicate that liraglutide may serve as a valuable option for managing PCOS in women with chronic weight management issues. However, more research is needed until liraglutide is approved for PCOS management.
Liraglutide Side Effects and Safety
Liraglutide has undergone numerous clinical trials for safety and effectiveness, having gained regulatory approval by agencies like the United States Food and Drug Administration. Nevertheless, liraglutide can cause side effects, and it is important that researchers be aware of these potential risks.
The most common liraglutide side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These adverse reactions are more common at the start of the therapy, and can usually be managed with appropriate lifestyle modifications or dose adjustments [24].
Rare but serious side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and cholestasis, which may manifest with symptoms such as severe pain, vomiting, fever, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Allergic reactions are rare [25].
It is also important to note that liraglutide has specific contraindications. It should not be administered to test subjects with a history of pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2).
Additionally, test subjects with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) should be carefully evaluated before initiating liraglutide therapy.
These concerns are based on animal research that has linked liraglutide to increased risk of certain malignancies, such as thyroid cancer. Yet, clinical studies continue to investigate whether these effects may also occur in humans [26].
Where to Buy Liraglutide Online? | 2024 Edition
Researchers looking to purchase liraglutide as a reference material may find it available for sale online from a number of vendors.
However, scientists must be cautious when buying liraglutide online, as not all vendors sell a legitimate, pure product. It is necessary to conduct due diligence to ensure the purchase of research-grade liraglutide.
After analyzing various online vendors, our team recommends the following trustworthy source of high-quality reference materials, including liraglutide:
PureRawz
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How to Reconstitute Liraglutide
When sold as a research peptide, liraglutide comes as a lyophilized powder that must be reconstituted into a liquid before use. Researchers will need to use either bacteriostatic or sterile water to reconstitute liraglutide and most other peptides.
Bacteriostatic water is a widely preferred choice as it significantly increases the shelf-life of the peptide. It contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol to suppress the growth of microorganisms while ensuring safe administration for test subjects [27].
When refrigerated properly at 36 to 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C), bacteriostatic water extends the shelf life of liraglutide by four weeks, while sterile water limits it to 24 hours.
When reconstituting liraglutide, researchers will also need other essential laboratory items, such as:
- A sterile syringe of at least 3cc
- Sterile 1″ 20-gauge needle
- Alcohol swabs
- Disposable sharps container
Once all the materials have been gathered, refer to these steps on how to reconstitute liraglutide:
- Step 1: Allow the vials containing liraglutide and bacteriostatic water to reach room temperature before mixing, but never expose them to heat or direct sunlight to prevent damage.
- Step 2: Disinfect the rubber stoppers of both vials using alcohol wipes. This step helps prevent bacterial contamination and reduces the risk of infection.
- Step 3: Draw 1ml of air into a sterile syringe and inject it into the vial containing the bacteriostatic water. This helps make the fluid easier to withdraw.
- Step 4: Withdraw the correct amount of bacteriostatic or sterile water. Always refer to the specific product label or relevant guidelines for accurate information about the recommended amount.
- Step 5: Insert the needle into the vial containing the lyophilized liraglutide and slowly inject the bacteriostatic water while directing the needle's tip at the vial's wall to prevent foaming. After reconstituting, discard the needle and syringe into a sharps container.
- Step 6: Use sonication (if available) to speed up the dissolution process. If not, let the solution rest and dissolve naturally. Avoid shaking or tapping the reconstituted liraglutide as this can damage its structure and render it ineffective.
- Step 7: After the peptide dissolves completely, check the solution for clarity, turbidity, or particles. If the solution is cloudy or contains particles, discard the vial.
FAQ
Here is a quick breakdown on some of the most common questions about Liraglutide…
Liraglutide vs. Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a peptide that is also approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Like liraglutide, it is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist that stimulates the release of insulin and suppresses glucagon secretion.
One key difference between liraglutide and semaglutide is that semaglutide has a longer half-life, which means it stays in the body longer and can be administered less frequently (once weekly) compared to liraglutide (once daily).
Additionally, semaglutide appears to be more effective at lowering blood sugar levels and achieving weight loss compared to liraglutide. However, semaglutide may also have a higher risk of side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, compared to liraglutide.
Liraglutide vs. Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a newer peptide that is currently approved only for the management of type 2 diabetes. It also works by stimulating insulin secretion and reducing glucagon secretion.
Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide) receptor agonist, while liraglutide only targets GLP-1 receptors. Tirzepatide appears to be more effective than liraglutide at lowering blood sugar levels and achieving weight loss.
Additionally, tirzepatide has a longer half-life and can be administered less frequently (once weekly) compared to liraglutide. However, tirzepatide may also have a higher risk of side effects, such as gastrointestinal issues, compared to liraglutide.
Liraglutide vs. Dulaglutide
Dulaglutide is another medication that is approved for type 2 diabetes management. It also belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, like liraglutide, and works by stimulating insulin secretion and reducing glucagon secretion.
A key difference between liraglutide and dulaglutide is their dosing schedule. Dulaglutide is administered once weekly, while liraglutide is typically administered once daily.
Dulaglutide appears to be as effective as liraglutide at lowering blood sugar levels and achieving weight loss.
However, dulaglutide may be associated with a lower risk of side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, compared to liraglutide.
Additionally, dulaglutide has a longer duration of action, which may provide more consistent blood sugar control over time.
Benefits of Liraglutide | Verdict
Liraglutide has been extensively studied and has shown impressive benefits in type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.
Its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, reduce appetite, improve fat loss, and support cardiovascular health has made it a popular choice for clinicians and researchers alike.
Current research explores the potential of liraglutide in other areas, such as the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, PCOS, and type 2 diabetes complications.
With its proven effectiveness and a growing body of evidence, liraglutide offers exciting prospects for further research in various fields.
Luis Daniel López Murillo, PhD