Tirzepatide use is associated with a reduction in several biomarkers associated with cardiovascular risk, suggests a study published in the Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are effective therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In addition to improving glycaemic control and reducing body weight, they have shown efficacy in reducing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).1 While glucose-lowering and weight loss probably contribute to reduced cardiovascular risk, they do not account for the full effect,2 and additional mechanisms, including improvement in endothelial dysfunction and reduction of inflammation, may also contribute.
A group of researchers from U.S.A conducted a phase 2 trial of once-weekly tirzepatide (1, 5, 10, or 15 mg), dulaglutide (1.5 mg), or placebo, the dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide dose-dependently reduced HbA1c and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The results of the study are as follows:
· At 26 weeks, tirzepatide 10 and 15 mg decreased YKL-40 (also known as chitinase-3 like-protein-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), leptin, and growth differentiation factor 15 levels versus baseline, and YKL-40 and leptin levels versus placebo and dulaglutide.
· Tirzepatide 15 mg also decreased ICAM-1 levels versus placebo and dulaglutide, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels versus baseline and placebo, but not dulaglutide. GlycA, interleukin 6, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and N-terminal-pro hormone B-type natriuretic peptide levels were not significantly changed in any group.
· YKL-40, hsCRP and ICAM-1 levels rapidly decreased within 4 weeks of treatment with tirzepatide 10 and 15 mg, whereas the decrease in leptin levels was more gradual and did not plateau by 26 weeks.
Thus, the researchers concluded that tirzepatide decreased several biomarkers that have been associated with cardiovascular risk.
Reference:
The dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide improve cardiovascular risk biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis by Wilson J et. al published in the Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.14553