Originally developed to treat diabetes, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists have recently dominated media coverage due to their potent effects on weight loss. Preliminary research has also suggested that these drugs may also have a protective role in other body systems and improve health outcomes outside of height loss.

Kieren Mather, MD, PhD, from Eli Lilly and Company, discussed the potential therapeutic role of GLP-1 agonists in people who have a risk of cardiovascular disease in the 2025 American Physiology Summit game-changer session “The Risks and Rewards of GLP-1 Agonists Beyond Diabetes.” Literature has shown that people taking GLP-1 drugs have lower rates of heart attack and stroke. People who have had cardiac events may heal more quickly when they take these medications. Scientists think decreasing traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are potential ways GLP-1 drugs protect against chronic disease, though the relationship is not yet fully understood.

Karolina Skibicka from Penn State University also discussed novel neural signaling of these drugs. Previous research has established that GLP-1 drugs mediate signals of hunger and fullness hormones that regulate appetite. But recent evidence suggests GLP-1s may also regulate kidney and heart function. Animal and cell studies have also suggested that GLP-1 drugs may reduce inflammation in the brain, but these results have not been seen in humans yet. 

A recent study from the Washington University School of Medicine further aimed to bring these results together and map out the effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists on a comprehensive set of 175 health outcomes. Through a systemic database analysis, preliminary data suggests that GLP-1 use was associated with a decreased risk for kidney disease, respiratory illness, seizures and infections.

It should be noted, however, that these drugs are not without side effects, and gastrointestinal symptoms, dizziness and headaches have been reported in multiple studies. More highly controlled, randomized control trials are needed to confirm the therapeutic benefits of these drugs beyond weight loss.

This Summit session, in combination with emerging data, points to a positive effect of GLP-1 drugs on more than just weight loss. Scientists around the world are rapidly exploring this fertile field of research to fill in gaps in our knowledge on the actions of these drugs.