The power of three: Retatrutide's role in modern obesity and diabetes therapy

Eur J Pharmacol. 2024 Dec 15:985:177095. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.177095. Epub 2024 Nov 6.

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus has resulted in a significant challenge to public health throughout the globe. It required the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Retatrutide is a groundbreaking triple agonist that targets glucagon receptors, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, and glucagon-like peptide-1. Retatrutide's complex mechanism of action involves a synergistic interaction among these receptors, resulting in increased insulin secretion, improved glucose homeostasis, and refined appetite modulation. Clinical trials in phases 1 to 3 have demonstrated significant efficacy, highlighted by significant reductions in body weight and favorable glycemic control outcomes. Additionally, retatrutide shows promise in mitigating cardiovascular risk factors and addressing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. However, careful attention is required to delineate its long-term safety profile, explore its potential in special populations, unravel its adjunctive therapeutic roles, and elucidate its mechanisms in pediatric cohorts. As a transformative therapeutic modality, retatrutide represents a beacon of hope, signifying transformative changes in the management landscape of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and warranting continued exploration and refinement in clinical practice. This narrative review examines the therapeutic potential of retatrutide in the management of obesity and T2DM.

Keywords: Obesity; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; retatrutide.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Fatty Acids
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Obesity* / drug therapy
  • Obesity* / metabolism
  • Peptides

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • retatrutide
  • Fatty Acids
  • Peptides