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Differential Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Experimental Diabetes Mellitus

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation contributing to endothelial dysfunction, metabolic imbalance, and cardiovascular complications. Although semaglutide (SEM) and tirzepatide (TIR) provide important metabolic and cardioprotective benefits, their early anti-inflammatory effects and potential sex-dependent differences remain incompletely understood. This study comparatively evaluated the effects of SEM and TIR on systemic inflammatory biomarkers in a murine model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. Thirty BALB/c mice were allocated into six experimental groups according to sex and treatment: control, SEM, and TIR groups (n = 5/group). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal streptozotocin administration, followed by treatment with SEM or TIR. Circulating interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) levels were measured at baseline, one week after streptozotocin administration, and after six weeks of treatment. Control groups exhibited progressive increases in IL-1β and PTX-3 levels, indicating sustained inflammatory activation. In contrast, SEM- and TIR-treated animals showed attenuated inflammatory responses characterized by transient or stabilized biomarker profiles. Differential inflammatory responses were observed between treatments and sexes. Male SEM and Male TIR groups demonstrated stable IL-1β levels, whereas female treated groups showed persistent elevations, particularly Female TIR animals. PTX-3 responses also displayed differential sex-dependent patterns, with Female SEM animals exhibiting the most stable inflammatory profile. These findings suggest differential early immunomodulatory effects of the two modern antidiabetic drugs, characterized by distinct biomarker responses according to sex and inflammatory marker profile. IL-1β and PTX-3 may represent complementary biomarkers for the assessment of early inflammatory activation associated with diabetes mellitus and its cardiometabolic complications.

Source: Current Issues in Molecular Biology

DOI: 10.3390/cimb48070675