Possible role of GLP-1 and its agonists in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Unfortunately, the only approved medical treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) is insulin, despite the fact that tight control cannot be reached without some serious side effects such as hypoglycemia and weight gain. More and more importance is now shifted towards developing new drugs that can reach a better glycemic control with lesser side effects. Some of these promising drugs are the glucagon-like peptides 1 (GLP-1) and their agonists, which have been FDA approved for the treatment of type 2 DM. The purpose of this article is to review all of the relevant literature on the potential role of GLP-1 in the treatment of type 1 DM. The major source of data acquisition included Medline search strategies, using the words "type 1 diabetes mellitus" and "GLP-1." Articles published in the last 20 years were screened. GLP-1 increases insulin secretion in humans with existing beta cells; it also decreases glucagon secretion, and blunts appetite. Of note, new animal studies demonstrate a role in beta cell-proliferation and decreased apoptosis. Because of all the effects mentioned above, GLP-1 seems to be a promising drug for type 1 DM treatment, but more studies are still needed before solid conclusions can be drawn.