Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors on Intima-Media Thickness: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Akbari A, Hadizadeh S, Heidary L

Journal of diabetes research18 Mar 2024Cited by 9 (Europe PMC)

PMID38529046PMCIDPMC10963118DOI10.1155/2024/3212795PepBankPUB-38529046

Summary

BackgroundBeyond glycemic control, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have been proposed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to demonstrate the effects of GLP-1 RA and SGLT2is on intima-media thickness (IMT).MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception to September 9, 2023. All interventional and observational studies that provided data on the effects of GLP-1 RAs or SGLT2is on IMT were included. Critical appraisal was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. IMT changes (preintervention and postintervention) were pooled and meta-analyzed using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were based on type of medication (GLP-1 RA: liraglutide and exenatide; SGLT2i: empagliflozin, ipragliflozin, tofogliflozin, and dapagliflozin), randomized clinical trials (RCTs), and diabetic patients.ResultsThe literature search yielded 708 related articles after duplicates were removed. Eighteen studies examined the effects of GLP-1 RA, and eleven examined the effects of SGLT2i. GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i significantly decreased IMT (MD = -0.123, 95% CI (-0.170, -0.076), P I² = 98% and MD = -0.048, 95% CI (-0.092, -0.004), P = 0.031, I² = 95%, respectively). Metaregression showed that IMT change correlated with baseline IMT, whereas it did not correlate with gender, duration of diabetes, and duration of treatment.ConclusionsTreatment with GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i can lower IMT in diabetic patients, and GLP-1 RA may be more effective than SGLT2i.

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

Results from this study2

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

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

In this study, Liraglutide 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 Liraglutide.

01HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In diabetic patients, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide and exenatide) significantly decreased intima-media thickness in a meta-analysis.
In plain wordsIn people with diabetes, GLP-1 drugs as a group reduced the thickness of artery walls in a pooled analysis.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseIntima-media thickness change, pooled GLP-1 receptor agonists
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Vascular function · Cardiovascular
Measurements
MD
−0.123
GLP-1 RA, IMT change
Source sentences
Summary
GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i significantly decreased IMT (MD = -0.123, 95% CI (-0.170, -0.076), P I² = 98% and MD = -0.048, 95% CI (-0.092, -0.004), P = 0.031, I² = 95%, respectively).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
All interventional and observational studies that provided data on the effects of GLP-1 RAs or SGLT2is on IMT were included.
Summary · context
Subgroup analyses were based on type of medication (GLP-1 RA: liraglutide and exenatide; SGLT2i: empagliflozin, ipragliflozin, tofogliflozin, and dapagliflozin), randomized clinical trials (RCTs), and diabetic patients.
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-3852904601
02HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneSystematic reviewOther
In a meta-regression of pooled GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i studies, IMT change correlated with baseline IMT but not with gender, diabetes duration or treatment duration.
In plain wordsIn a pooled analysis of GLP-1 and SGLT2 drug studies, artery-wall change was linked to starting thickness, not to gender or duration.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableCorrelation of IMT change with baseline IMT, gender, diabetes duration and treatment duration
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Vascular function · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
Metaregression showed that IMT change correlated with baseline IMT, whereas it did not correlate with gender, duration of diabetes, and duration of treatment.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
All interventional and observational studies that provided data on the effects of GLP-1 RAs or SGLT2is on IMT were included.
Summary · context
Subgroup analyses were based on type of medication (GLP-1 RA: liraglutide and exenatide; SGLT2i: empagliflozin, ipragliflozin, tofogliflozin, and dapagliflozin), randomized clinical trials (RCTs), and diabetic patients.
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-3852904602

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.

Version 2Current
12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

MeSH terms

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.