Last year we did a survey of our medical professional readers from across the country to gauge the level of knowledge you had on GLP-1 analogs. We focused on the science, research and benefits of this new class of drugs.

Based on your responses we have spent the last year providing a well-received series of special editions. This month we have taken the best of these editions, added new data as well as a great slide presentation from our UF College of Pharmacy Intern, Alan Mathis, on the cardiovascular benefits of the class, to give you an information-packed edition.

Be sure to check out last year's survey questions and see if you can answer them all correctly this year.

If you would like to share your experiences with the GLP-1 analogs click here to send me an email. 

I have been using GLP-1 analogs with my patients for the past five years and have seen many patients find reasons to stop using the medication. They complain about nausea, they complain about the cost, they say the needle hurts and they have even told me that they can't get their money's worth on a cruise because they are unable to eat enough....

Diabetes In Control Publisher Steve Freed interviewed Dr. David D'Alessio, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Cincinnati, and the Albert Vontz chair in Diabetes Research. Dr. D'Alessio helps us understand some of the newest research on GLP-1's, how he uses these therapies in his own practice and what he's looking forward to in the pipeline....

Healthy individuals without diabetes have similar increases in insulin secretion....

Researchers looked at antibody formation when liraglutide (Victoza) is used and whether that has an impact on glycemic efficacy or safety....

Tina Burge, Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, FAMU College of Pharmacy

Reviewed by Dave Joffe, BSPharm, CDE

It's well-known that patients with diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease when compared to patients without diabetes. 

David Joffe, BSPharm, CDE

Tina Burge, PharmD Candidate Florida A&M University

Kiet Ngo, Pharm D Candidate Mercer University

Abnormalities in incretin hormones such as the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) contribute to the development of hyperglycemia. GLP-1 was discovered as a peptide encoded by the proglucagon gene and was named glucagon-like because the peptide was approximately 50% homologous to glucagon.

GLP-1 receptors are widely expressed in CV, adipose, hepatic, and renal tissue. High-affinity GLP-1 receptors are present in autonomic nuclei that control CV functions, and have been isolated in rodent and human cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells....

Associations between acute glucose lowering and improved acute insulin secretory responses suggest improved β-cell function. Comparing and assessing effects of pharmacological therapies used to control hyperglycemia on β-cell function is necessarily inferential, given lack of any universal measure.¹

 For this Special Edition series of Homerun Slides, we're focusing on the cardio-protective aspects of GLP-1 and the several ways in which these actions show up....