Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on body weight: a meta-analysis.

Monami M, Dicembrini I, Marchionni N, Rotella CM, Mannucci E

Experimental diabetes research20 May 2012Cited by 72 (Europe PMC)

PMID22675341PMCIDPMC3362858DOI10.1155/2012/672658PepBankPUB-22675341

Summary

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), approved as glucose-lowering drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, have also been shown to reduce body weight. An extensive Medline, Cochrane database, and Embase search for "exenatide," "liraglutide," "albiglutide," "semaglutide," and "lixisenatide" was performed, collecting all randomized clinical trials on humans up to December 15, 2011, with a duration of at least 24 weeks, comparing GLP-1 receptor agonists with either placebo or active drugs. Twenty two (7,859 patients) and 7 (2,416 patients) trials with available results on body weight at 6 and 12 months, respectively, were included. When compared with placebo, GLP-1RAs determine a reduction of BMI at 6 months of -1.0 [-1.3; -0.6] kg/m(2). Considering the average BMI at baseline (32.4 kg/m(2)) these data means a weight reduction of about 3% at 6 months. This result could seem modest from a clinical standpoint; however, it could be affected by many factors contributing to an underestimation of the effect of GLP-1RA on body weight, such as non adequate doses, inclusion criteria, efficacy of GLP-1RA on reducing glycosuria, and association to non-pharmacological interventions not specifically aimed to weight reduction.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, the peptide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking the peptide.

01HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In participants of randomized trials, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (including semaglutide) reduced BMI at 6 months versus placebo.
In plain wordsIn people in randomized trials, GLP-1 drugs as a class, semaglutide among them, lowered BMI more than placebo after 6 months.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBMI change at 6 months
Study
n = 7,859
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
BMI change
−1 kg/m(2)
6 months
Source sentences
Summary
When compared with placebo, GLP-1RAs determine a reduction of BMI at 6 months of -1.0 [-1.3; -0.6] kg/m(2).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
An extensive Medline, Cochrane database, and Embase search for "exenatide," "liraglutide," "albiglutide," "semaglutide," and "lixisenatide" was performed, collecting all randomized clinical trials on humans up to December 15, 2011, with a duration of at least 24 weeks, comparing GLP-1 receptor agonists with either placebo or active drugs.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2267534103
02HumanNot a test of Semaglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In participants of randomized trials, the BMI change with pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists corresponded to about 3% weight reduction at 6 months.
In plain wordsIn people in randomized trials, GLP-1 drugs as a class, semaglutide among them, were linked to about 3% weight loss at 6 months.
Peptide
Semaglutide
Outcome
DecreaseEstimated weight reduction at 6 months
Study
n = 7,859
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Weight reduction
≈ 3%
6 months
Source sentences
Summary
Considering the average BMI at baseline (32.4 kg/m(2)) these data means a weight reduction of about 3% at 6 months.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
An extensive Medline, Cochrane database, and Embase search for "exenatide," "liraglutide," "albiglutide," "semaglutide," and "lixisenatide" was performed, collecting all randomized clinical trials on humans up to December 15, 2011, with a duration of at least 24 weeks, comparing GLP-1 receptor agonists with either placebo or active drugs.
In this study, Semaglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Semaglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2267534104
03HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists (including liraglutide), BMI at 6 months was reduced versus placebo.
In plain wordsGLP-1 drugs as a group, including liraglutide, lowered body mass index at 6 months more than placebo.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBMI change at 6 months versus placebo
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
BMI difference
−1 kg/m(2)
GLP-1RAs vs placebo, 6 months
Source sentences
Summary
When compared with placebo, GLP-1RAs determine a reduction of BMI at 6 months of -1.0 [-1.3; -0.6] kg/m(2).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
An extensive Medline, Cochrane database, and Embase search for "exenatide," "liraglutide," "albiglutide," "semaglutide," and "lixisenatide" was performed, collecting all randomized clinical trials on humans up to December 15, 2011, with a duration of at least 24 weeks, comparing GLP-1 receptor agonists with either placebo or active drugs.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2267534101
04HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
Based on a mean baseline BMI of 32.4 kg/m(2), the BMI reduction at 6 months with GLP-1 receptor agonists (including liraglutide) means a weight reduction of about 3%.
In plain wordsGLP-1 drugs as a group, including liraglutide, led to about 3% weight reduction at 6 months.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseWeight reduction at 6 months
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Weight reduction
≈ 3%
GLP-1RAs, 6 months
Source sentences
Summary
Considering the average BMI at baseline (32.4 kg/m(2)) these data means a weight reduction of about 3% at 6 months.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
An extensive Medline, Cochrane database, and Embase search for "exenatide," "liraglutide," "albiglutide," "semaglutide," and "lixisenatide" was performed, collecting all randomized clinical trials on humans up to December 15, 2011, with a duration of at least 24 weeks, comparing GLP-1 receptor agonists with either placebo or active drugs.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2267534102

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Versions 36 to 39Current
28 Oct 2026, 02:04 UTC
The same notice was added 4 times, first on 27 Oct 2026, 18:19 UTC. The status did not change between them.
Study results updated
Version 35
27 Oct 2026, 16:36 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Versions 3 to 34
22 Oct 2026, 02:26 UTC
The same notice was added 32 times, first on 9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC. The status did not change between them.
Study results updated
Version 2
9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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