Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists reduce experimental atherosclerosis progression, inflammatory biomarkers and cardiovascular events, irrespective of hyperglycaemia and obesity
Authors' conclusion
This integrative preclinical-clinical study demonstrates that GLP-1 RAs reduce atherosclerosis progression, inflammatory biomarkers and MACE, irrespective of hyperglycaemia or obesity.
Study context
- Population
- Rabbits with atherosclerosis (normoglycaemic, non-obese); Mass General Brigham Biobank participants
- Participants
- 28 rabbits
- Comparison
- GLP-1 RA vs saline; GLP-1 RA prescription vs none
- Outcome
- Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) Δ percent atheroma volume; Near-infrared fluorescence-optical coherence tomography (NIRF-OCT) plaque cathepsin activity
- Follow-up
- 4 weeks
Methodological detailsintegrative preclinical-clinical, propensity score matching, mediation analysis
- Integrative preclinical-clinical
- Propensity score matching
- Mediation analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Liraglutide vs SalineDifference, % (95% CI)P value
IVUS Δ percent atheroma volume
−7.8(−11.3 to −4.2)
P < 0.001Liraglutide vs SalineDifference, nM (95% CI)P value
NIRF-OCT plaque cathepsin activity
−9.8(−18.5 to −1.1)
P = 0.028Further findings
Inflammatory biomarkers and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (biobank)
- GLP-1 RA prescription associated with significantly lower inflammatory biomarkers and MACE in regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses
- Benefits persisted in subgroups by BMI or glycated haemoglobin
- Inflammatory biomarkers partly mediated the effect
Original publication
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists reduce experimental atherosclerosis progression, inflammatory biomarkers and cardiovascular events, irrespective of hyperglycaemia and obesity. Eur Heart J. Published 2 April 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it