Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 28, 2014; 20(40): 14821-14830
Published online Oct 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i40.14821
Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and inflammation
Xing-Chun Wang, Aaron M Gusdon, Huan Liu, Shen Qu
Xing-Chun Wang, Shen Qu, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
Aaron M Gusdon, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, United States
Xing-Chun Wang, Huan Liu, Shen Qu, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: Wang XC identified the concept and wrote the manuscript; Gusdon AM and Liu H were involved in editing the manuscript; Qu S organized the paper and approved the final version.
Correspondence to: Shen Qu, Professor, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai 10th People’s Hospital, Tongji University, 301 Middle Yanchang Road, Shanghai 200072, China. qushencn@hotmail.com
Telephone: +86-21-66302531 Fax: +86-21-66302531
Received: March 25, 2014
Revised: May 14, 2014
Accepted: July 15, 2014
Published online: October 28, 2014
Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide1 (GLP-1) is secreted from Langerhans cells in response to oral nutrient intake. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are a new class of incretin-based anti-diabetic drugs. They function to stimulate insulin secretion while suppressing glucagon secretion. GLP-1-based therapies are now well established in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and recent literature has suggested potential applications of these drugs in the treatment of obesity and for protection against cardiovascular and neurological diseases. As we know, along with change in lifestyles, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in China is rising more than that of viral hepatitis and alcoholic fatty liver disease, and NAFLD has become the most common chronic liver disease in recent years. Recent studies further suggest that GLP-1RAs can reduce transaminase levels to improve NAFLD by improving blood lipid levels, cutting down the fat content to promote fat redistribution, directly decreasing fatty degeneration of the liver, reducing the degree of liver fibrosis and improving inflammation. This review shows the NAFLD-associated effects of GLP-1RAs in animal models and in patients with T2DM or obesity who are participants in clinical trials.

Keywords: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, Liver function, Fat content, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Inflammation

Core tip: The findings showed that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) may improve liver function, fat content and distribution, lipid metabolism and reduce the activity of inflammatory cytokines and their associated signal transduction pathways. Thus, we review here that GLP-1RAs are a potential method for pharmacologic treatment that can benefit patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic inflammation.