Where in the heart does the diabetes drug target exist?
GLP-1 Receptor Expression Within the Human Heart
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
GLP1R mRNA is abundant in the heart but undetectable in vascular cells
Many assumed GLP-1 drugs helped the heart by acting on blood vessels. This study shows those cells don’t even have the genetic code—shifting focus to heart muscle or pacemaker cells.
Practical Takeaways
Patients on GLP-1 drugs experiencing increased heart rate should know it may be a direct biological effect, not just anxiety or weight loss.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
GLP1R mRNA is abundant in the heart but undetectable in vascular cells
Many assumed GLP-1 drugs helped the heart by acting on blood vessels. This study shows those cells don’t even have the genetic code—shifting focus to heart muscle or pacemaker cells.
Practical Takeaways
Patients on GLP-1 drugs experiencing increased heart rate should know it may be a direct biological effect, not just anxiety or weight loss.
Publication
Journal
Endocrinology
Year
2018
Authors
L. Baggio, B. Yusta, Erin E. Mulvihill, Xiemin Cao, C. Streutker, J. Butany, T. Cappola, K. Margulies, D. Drucker
Related Content
Claims (6)
We know the heart has the genetic instructions for a certain protein (GLP-1R), but we can't yet tell which exact heart cells actually make it because our tools aren't sensitive enough to see it clearly.
Your body has special switches called GLP-1 receptors not just in your gut and pancreas, but also in your heart, brain, kidneys, and even cartilage — and they help control different body functions in all those places.
The heart has the same kind of genetic message for the GLP-1 receptor as the pancreas, which means the heart might respond to GLP-1 signals—even though we're not sure yet if that message actually turns into working proteins there.
The gene for the GLP-1 receptor isn't found in certain heart cells, so those cells probably aren't the main places where this receptor works in the human heart when things are normal.
Scientists found the genetic instructions for a certain receptor in the heart's natural pacemaker, which might mean that a hormone involved in blood sugar control could directly affect how fast your heart beats.