Liraglutide is an approved treatment of both diabetes and obesity, with a host of potential research applications. Inside, researchers will find what must be known about liraglutide, including results from clinical trials.
Liraglutide is a peptide that belongs to the class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). It is a synthetic form of a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that helps blood sugar regulation [1].
Liraglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 RA that has a total of 31 amino acids and is 97% identical to the active form of the hormone GLP-1 (7-37).
Its structure is modified by the addition of palmitate to the amino acid lysine at position 26 of GLP-1 (7-37), which is added via a spacer glutamic acid residue [2].
The attached fatty acid moiety fosters binding to serum albumin, which delays renal excretion. This results in a half-life of 13 hours in humans.
Furthermore, lysine is replaced with arginine at position 34 of GLP-1 (7-37).
Liraglutide was discovered by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk in 1990 [3]. After extensive research, it was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in 2010 [4].
In 2014, the peptide was also approved as a treatment in overweight or obese adults, while in 2020 it was also approved in adolescents for the same indications [5, 6].
Liraglutide is currently under investigation for its potential effects on obesity-related conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and others.
Keep reading for more details on the exact mechanisms behind liraglutide benefits, side effects, dosage, and where to buy research-grade liraglutide online.
Liraglutide works by mimicking the function of GLP-1 and activating its receptors in several organs, including the pancreas, the stomach, fat tissue, and the brain.
For reference, GLP-1 is produced in the intestines upon ingestion of carbohydrate-containing foods. It is an incretin that helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion in the pancreas. Scientists report that it can also be viewed as a neuropeptide as it is synthesized by neurons in the brainstem and subsequently secreted into the hypothalamus [7].
Similar to GLP-1, liraglutide stimulates insulin secretion by activating the beta cells in the pancreas and also activates the GLP-1R on the alpha cells, which inhibits glucagon secretion [8]. This makes it highly effective for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.
Liraglutide can also activate the GLP-1R in the gastrointestinal system to decelerate gastric emptying, thereby curbing postprandial glucose surges. In fact, studies report a 23% reduction in gastric emptying speed within the first hour of administering liraglutide at 3.0mg compared to a placebo. Gastric emptying returns to its usual pace within 4 hours [9].
Scientists suggest that by interacting with the GLP-1R in adipose tissue, liraglutide may also reduce the release of triglycerides in the bloodstream and thereby increase insulin sensitivity [10].
Liraglutide activates the GLP-1R in the brain as well, which is thought to help reduce appetite and exert neuroprotective benefits [11]. The appetite-suppressing effects of liraglutide are also instrumental to its weight loss effect in overweight and obese individuals.
Given that liraglutide has received FDA approval as an anti-diabetic and weight loss drug, extensive research has been conducted on its potential benefits and applications.
Here are the latest studies that shed light on the effects of liraglutide and how it may be employed by scientists for further research.
Similar to other medications and research peptides, liraglutide has the potential to cause side effects. Studies in obese and diabetic patients have indicated that the most commonly reported side effects associated with liraglutide are symptoms of gastrointestinal upset such as [20]:
According to Drugs.com, these side effects occur in 10-40% of participants during weight loss research. It’s important to note that these reactions are transitory and can potentially be avoided by starting at a low dose of liraglutide, and gradually increasing the dose on a week-by-week basis before reaching the full dose. Other common side effects include increased heart rate and headache [21].
In addition, less than 10% of subjects may experience rashes, fatigue, other gastrointestinal problems, and reactions at the injection site, such as pain, bleeding, redness, swelling, or itching. Allergic reactions are rare.
Although uncommon, research has also revealed that liraglutide may cause more severe side effects, including pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or cholestasis. Symptoms of such serious adverse reactions may include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and yellowing of the skin or eyes [22].
Moreover, ongoing research suggests that liraglutide may slightly increase the risk of certain cancers, such as pancreatic, breast, and thyroid cancer [23].
As mentioned earlier, the FDA has granted injectable liraglutide approval for the management of several conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, overweight, and obesity in individuals aged 12 or older. The FDA issued these approvals only after there was sufficient data from multiple clinical trials for the safety and effectiveness of liraglutide.
Moreover, recent studies continue to explore the safety of liraglutide and report that the peptide is well-tolerated among most research subjects [24]. That being said, it is imperative that researchers consider the risks and benefits of administering liraglutide to test subjects for research purposes.
Furthermore, administering non-prescription liraglutide for any other purpose, such as general weight management, is not recommended. Non-prescription liraglutide should only be handled by qualified researchers or laboratory professionals, and it should never be self-administered for non-scientific purposes.
The dosage of liraglutide in experimental settings depends on the research objective. For example, the maximum recommended dosage of liraglutide for fat loss is 3 mg/day, which can be reduced depending on individual tolerance [25].
It is important to note that at the beginning of each study, researchers should start with a low daily dose and increase the liraglutide dosage over the course of five weeks to prevent side effects. Here is a sample liraglutide weight loss protocol based on existing research [26]:
For reference, the recommended liraglutide dosage for treating type 2 diabetes is 1.2-1.8mg/day [14].
Studies suggest that liraglutide may be administered for a long duration at the dose of 3.0mg/day, and the peptide should not be cycled. Instead, published research reveals that most common dosing protocols have a duration of 20-64 weeks [27].
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Liraglutide for research purposes comes as a lyophilized powder, which must be reconstituted with bacteriostatic or sterile water.
To ensure safety during reconstitution, follow all standard precautions, such as applying alcohol wipes to clean the tops of both the peptide and sterile water vials, and using sterile needles and syringes to draw in the solvent and inject it into the powder.
When reconstituting the peptide solution, it is important to slowly inject the reconstituting liquid down the side of the vial. Allow the solution to dissolve naturally or use sonication.
Do not shake or tap the vial after reconstitution. Do not freeze, heat, or expose to direct sunlight.
Upon reconstitution, the stability of a peptide is contingent upon the type of solvent utilized. Microbial proliferation remains uninhibited in the presence of sterile water, rendering the peptide unsuitable for use within 24 hours, even under refrigeration.
In contrast, bacteriostatic water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol exhibits no toxicity at these concentrations and acts as a microorganism growth suppressant.
It enables the peptide solution to remain viable for up to 4 weeks post-reconstitution when stored properly at a temperature range of 2 to 8 degrees C (36 to 46 degrees F).
Consult the specific product label for accurate instructions on dosage and storage requirements.
Semaglutide is also a peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist and FDA-approved medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, overweight, and obesity [28].
Both liraglutide and semaglutide work by stimulating the release of insulin and reducing the production of glucagon, which leads to lower blood sugar levels. Similar to liraglutide, semaglutide also interacts with the GLP-1 receptors in the brain to suppress appetite levels and help with weight loss.
Here are some differences between the two peptides:
Dulaglutide (brand name Trulicity) is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist that is approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. But unlike liraglutide, it has not been approved as a weight loss treatment for overweight and obese individuals [32].
Instead, dulaglutide has been approved for reducing major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes with established cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors [33].
Here are some other differences between the two medications:
Liraglutide for research purposes typically comes in the form of lyophilized powder and must be reconstituted into a liquid using appropriate solvents such as bacteriostatic or sterile water.
After being reconstituted, liraglutide is administered to test subjects subcutaneously.
No, liraglutide does not act to boost testosterone production.
No, in published studies to date, liraglutide has not been found to stimulate muscle building or exert any anabolic effects on muscle protein synthesis.
Liraglutide is not a steroid. It does not affect the androgen receptor and is instead a peptide made of amino acids. It works by mimicking the action of a naturally-occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
Liraglutide is a prescription medication available in the United States for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as for overweight or obesity in adolescents and adults. It is marketed under the brand names Victoza, Saxenda, and others, and can be purchased at a pharmacy with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Qualified researchers and laboratory professionals who wish to obtain liraglutide as a reference material may do so. However, consumers should be wary that liraglutide is not available over-the-counter, and it is not recommended for use as a dietary supplement. Mislabeling liraglutide as a supplement or as an active ingredient in a supplement is illegal and can pose serious health risks.
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