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The Expanding Role of GLP-1 Drugs: Advancing Outcomes Across Medicine

RPEP-098182025Al Qassab, Mohamad; Mneimneh, Mohammad; Jradi, Ahmad; Derbas, Bassem; Dabboussi, Dana; Khoury Baini, Justine; Katrib, Nadia; Chaarani, Nadim; Attieh, Philippe; Kanaan, Amjad; Harb, Frederic; Azar, Sami; Ghadieh, Hilda E
ReviewModerate evidence
The takeaway

Review documents the expanding clinical role of GLP-1 receptor agonists across metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological, and other medical specialties.

6+ specialties impacted

GLP-1 drugs now have evidence of benefit across endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, neurology, psychiatry, and hepatology

What the researchers found

GLP-1 drugs have expanded across endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, neurology, psychiatry, and hepatology with proven or promising outcomes in each specialty.

Why it matters

Understanding the full breadth of GLP-1 drug benefits enables clinicians across specialties to leverage these medications for their patients.

The numbers in context

GLP-1 RAs reduce hepatic fat accumulation in MASLD. Cardiovascular, kidney, and mental health benefits covered.

How the study worked

Comprehensive review of GLP-1 RA applications and evidence across multiple medical specialties.

Who was studied

Patients with T2DM and various comorbidities including liver, kidney, cardiovascular, and mental health conditions

What this study cannot tell us

Evidence strength varies by specialty — strongest in endocrinology/cardiology, emerging in neurology/psychiatry. Some applications are based on mechanistic rationale pending clinical confirmation.

How to read the evidence

Strong evidence: comprehensive multi-specialty review with varying evidence levels per domain.

When this study was published

Published in 2025. Most comprehensive cross-specialty GLP-1 drug review.

The bigger picture

No drug class since statins has had such broad medical impact. GLP-1 drugs are redefining what a single medication class can achieve across the body, driven by the ubiquitous expression of GLP-1 receptors throughout human tissues.

Questions still open

  • Which new specialty will GLP-1 drugs penetrate next?
  • Should GLP-1 drugs be prescribed by specialists or primary care for non-metabolic conditions?
  • Are there diseases where GLP-1 drugs should NOT be used despite theoretical benefit?

Common questions

What can GLP-1 drugs treat besides diabetes?
Evidence supports or suggests benefits in: obesity, heart failure, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, fatty liver disease, PCOS, alcohol addiction, sleep apnea, and more. Each has different evidence levels, but the trajectory is clear — GLP-1 drugs are multi-system medicines.
Why do GLP-1 drugs work in so many conditions?
GLP-1 receptors are found throughout the body — heart, kidneys, brain, liver, immune cells, blood vessels. When GLP-1 drugs activate these receptors, they reduce inflammation, improve metabolism, and protect tissues across multiple organ systems simultaneously.

Read the original research

The Expanding Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Advancing Clinical Outcomes in Metabolic and Mental Health.

Current issues in molecular biology, 47(4)

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Al Qassab, Mohamad; Mneimneh, Mohammad; Jradi, Ahmad; Derbas, Bassem; Dabboussi, Dana; Khoury Baini, Justine; Katrib, Nadia; Chaarani, Nadim; Attieh, Philippe; Kanaan, Amjad; Harb, Frederic; Azar, Sami; Ghadieh, Hilda E. (2025). The Expanding Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Advancing Clinical Outcomes in Metabolic and Mental Health.. Current issues in molecular biology, 47(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47040285