A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist made by fusing a modified GLP-1 analog to an antibody Fc fragment, developed by Eli Lilly and FDA-approved as a prescription drug. It has a large body of human trial data plus rodent and primate studies.
Dulaglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor; its design links a DPP-IV-resistant GLP-1 analog to a modified IgG4 Fc fragment, which extended half-life to about 1.5-2 days in rats and monkeys [1]. In rat and monkey islets it increased glucose-dependent insulin secretion [1]. In mouse kidney, researchers proposed effects on cardiolipin and mitochondrial DNA, and in mouse hippocampus on lipid and tryptophan metabolism; both are proposed mechanisms from single studies [4][5].
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| REWIND outcomes trial [2] | Human 9,901 adults, 24 countries, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, median follow-up 5.4 years | Primary endpoint: first major adverse cardiovascular event (composite). Published | Peer-reviewed Lancet 2019 |
| AWARD-11 higher-dose trial [3] | Human Adults, randomized to three strengths, 52 weeks | Primary endpoint: change in HbA1c at 36 weeks; body-weight analyses were exploratory. Published | Peer-reviewed Diabetes Obes Metab 2021 |
| Engineering and pharmacology study [1] | Other animal Rats and cynomolgus monkeys (pharmacokinetics), db/db mice, rat and monkey islets | Half-life about 1.5-2 days in rats and monkeys; active compound detectable for more than 6 days | Peer-reviewed Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2010 |
| High-fat diet kidney study [4] | Mouse C57BL/6 mice on 60% fat diet for 12 weeks, then 4 weeks of dulaglutide, n=6-9 per group | Lower urea nitrogen and albuminuria; 62 lipids changed; kidney NRF1 up ~30%, TFAM up ~50%; mitochondrial DNA copy number higher | Peer-reviewed Front Pharmacol 2022 |
| Chronic mild stress study [5] | Mouse 60 mice, chronic mild stress for 4 weeks, then 3 weeks of dulaglutide at two levels vs vehicle | Forced-swim and tail-suspension behavior returned toward control; open-field measures unchanged; 64 hippocampal metabolites differed | Peer-reviewed Brain Behav 2024 |
Human trials are listed for research context only; outcomes are reported in the linked publications. Animal and lab results do not establish effects in humans.
PureLab does not supply this compound. This page summarizes published research only.
