Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42651699›Full record

ReviewBiology2026

For Weight Loss: Why Do GLP-1 Agonists Work, and How Can We Make Them Work Better?

Charlise Giang, Jieyi Meng, Mahmoud Ali Mohammad, Zhenqi Liu, Xinle Wu, Yi Zhu

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Charlise GiangUSDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.ORCID 0009-0009-3851-2929
Jieyi MengUSDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.ORCID 0009-0001-3829-9648
Mahmoud Ali MohammadUSDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Zhenqi LiuDivision of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-5077-0941
Xinle WuResearch and Development Center, Sciwind Biosciences, San Ramon, CA 94583, USA.
Yi ZhuUSDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-1650-1363

Funding

Enhancing metabolic action of FGF21 through adipocyte Connexin43 gap junction channelsR01DK136619 · NIDDK · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · PI Yi Zhu · 2023 to 2026
$1.8M
Postprandial activation of hyaluronan-MARCO axis contributes to systemic chronic inflammationR01DK136532 · NIDDK · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · PI Yi Zhu · 2023 to 2026
$1.7M
The role of hyaluron in beige adipogenesisR01DK142668 · NIDDK · BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE · PI Qiong Annabel Wang, Yi Zhu · 2025 to 2026
$1.7M
NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK136532NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK136619NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK142668
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have revolutionized the management of not only type 2 diabetes but also obesity. However, even with rapid therapeutic advances in GLP-1RAs, questions regarding the fundamental principles of GLP-1-mediated weight loss and the enhanced efficacy of next-generation therapies remain. In this comprehensive review article, we first examine the milestones of GLP-1, from its initial discovery and biological characterization to its successful translation into clinical therapy. Furthermore, this review highlights the latest clinical trial data, specifically HbA1c reduction, weight-loss efficacy, and safety profiles, while exploring current pipelines of major pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, we delineate the mechanistic principles underlying the efficacy of GLP-1 single- and multi-receptor agonists and address challenges in mitigating side effects of GLP-1RAs. Finally, we analyze the rapidly evolving landscape of next-generation, incretin-based combination therapies. With an abundance of GLP-1- related therapies already available or in development, we assess how future GLP-1 multi-receptor agonists can achieve enhanced efficacy and how leveraging weight-loss biology, such as set-point theory, can improve therapeutic outcomes.

Indexed as

GLP-1GLP1RAmulti-receptor agonistsobesity managementweight loss

Identifiers

PMID42651699
PMCPMC13509466

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.