What happens to body chemicals when people with alcohol problems take a diabetes-like medicine?
Effect of the GLP‐1 receptor agonist exenatide on pro‐inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers in individuals with alcohol use disorder: Post hoc results from a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
People with alcohol use disorder have more inflammation and different hormone levels than others. Scientists gave them a drug called exenatide, which helps with diabetes and reduces inflammation in other diseases, to see if it helps fix these body chemicals.
Surprising Findings
Exenatide, a GLP-1 drug that reduces inflammation in diabetes and obesity, had no effect on any of the 25 biomarkers in people with AUD after 26 weeks.
GLP-1 drugs are known to reduce inflammation and improve heart health in other conditions, so scientists expected at least some benefit in AUD, especially given animal studies showing reduced alcohol use.
Practical Takeaways
If you or someone you know struggles with alcohol, getting blood work done (like hsCRP or liver panels) might reveal hidden health risks even without obvious symptoms.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
People with alcohol use disorder have more inflammation and different hormone levels than others. Scientists gave them a drug called exenatide, which helps with diabetes and reduces inflammation in other diseases, to see if it helps fix these body chemicals.
Surprising Findings
Exenatide, a GLP-1 drug that reduces inflammation in diabetes and obesity, had no effect on any of the 25 biomarkers in people with AUD after 26 weeks.
GLP-1 drugs are known to reduce inflammation and improve heart health in other conditions, so scientists expected at least some benefit in AUD, especially given animal studies showing reduced alcohol use.
Practical Takeaways
If you or someone you know struggles with alcohol, getting blood work done (like hsCRP or liver panels) might reveal hidden health risks even without obvious symptoms.
Publication
Journal
Alcohol, Clinical & Experimental Research
Year
2025
Authors
Malthe E B Hviid, Lea A N Christoffersen, M. K. Klausen, T. Brodersen, O. Pedersen, S. Ostrowski, M. Larsen, M. Kongstad, M. E. Jensen, T. Vilsbøll, Anders Fink-Jensen
Related Content
Claims (6)
People with alcohol use disorder tend to have higher levels of a protein linked to inflammation in their blood compared to those without the disorder.
People with alcohol use disorder tend to have much higher levels of a blood marker called CRP, which shows their body has more inflammation — a sign that could mean they're at greater risk for heart problems.
People with long-term alcohol problems have way more of a protein called FGF-21 in their blood — over five times higher — than people without those issues, so it might help doctors spot chronic drinking.
People with alcohol use disorder tend to have lower levels of a gut hormone called GIP, which might mean alcohol messes with how the body regulates blood sugar and digestion.
Taking a weekly shot of exenatide for six months doesn’t seem to change key inflammation and metabolism markers in people with alcohol use disorder, compared to a dummy shot.