Work

Repurposing metabolic drugs as anti-inflammatory agents

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: Dysregulation of bodyweight systemic metabolism is intrinsically linked to an inflammatory phenotype, with each underpinning the other. Over the past decade, new classes of drug, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based therapies and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, have entered the clinical management of bodyweight and metabolic disease with great success. With their expanded use, it is emerging that the benefits of these drugs extend beyond metabolic improvements into changes in chronic inflammation, potentially independent of those in metabolism. In this review, we discuss the impact of metabolic drugs on inflammatory comorbidities of metabolic disorders and beyond. We highlight the molecular mechanisms via which these drugs exert their anti-inflammatory actions and discuss their potential repurposing as direct anti-inflammatory agents.

Source: Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism

DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2025.07.003

Authors: Andrew E. Hogan, Cian Davis, Benjamin J. Jenkins, Nicholas Jones, Donal O’Shea

Institutions: National University of Ireland, Maynooth, University College Dublin, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Swansea University

Language: English

Topic: Diabetes Treatment and Management

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $7,030