Increased levels of iron can pose risks for individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
There has been a rise in the usage of GLP1RA agonists for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes.
This innovative treatment has shown great effectiveness, prompting researchers to explore additional potential benefits it may offer.
A team at the University of Michigan is examining how GLP1RA medications could aid in treating type 2 diabetes linked to a genetic disorder known as hereditary hemochromatosis, which causes elevated iron levels.
Excessive iron that accompanies hereditary hemochromatosis can increase the risk of liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, there are few effective treatment options available for these patients.
The research initiative led by Nadejda Bozadjieva-Kramer, Ph.D., an assistant professor of surgery at University of Michigan Health, along with Randy Seeley, Ph.D., the Henry King Ransom endowed professor of surgery at the University of Michigan and director of the NIH-funded Michigan Nutrition Obesity Research Center, evaluated the impact of a GLP1RA medication, liraglutide, on reducing high iron levels.
In experiments with mouse models, liraglutide was shown to modify iron metabolism, resulting in lower iron concentration in the bloodstream and decreased iron storage in the liver.
“Our findings indicate that the GLP1RA liraglutide is effective in lowering iron levels, in addition to reducing body weight and glucose levels in a mouse model of hereditary hemochromatosis,” commented Bozadjieva-Kramer.
“This suggests the possibility of the drug being utilized for other metabolic disorders with further investigation. Given the novelty of this medication, it marks a significant advancement in understanding its multiple benefits beyond just weight and glucose management.”
The research team intends to further explore how these drugs can lower iron levels and if this effect also contributes to their positive impact on weight and glucose levels.
