A synthetic analog of the gut hormone GLP-1, developed by Novo Nordisk and FDA-approved as a prescription drug. It has a large body of human clinical-trial data and many rodent studies.
Liraglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor, the same receptor targeted by the body's own GLP-1 hormone [1]. In mice, researchers identified GLP-1 receptor-positive neurons in the lateral septum of the brain and reported that these neurons were needed for liraglutide's measured effects on feeding-related endpoints [2]. In rat bone studies, researchers proposed a pathway involving SIRT1 and neutrophil extracellular traps; this remains a proposed mechanism from small animal studies [3][4].
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCALE Kids, phase 3a [1] | Human 82 children aged 6 to under 12, randomized 2:1, placebo-controlled, 56 weeks plus 26-week follow-up | Primary endpoint: a prespecified body-composition measure (see publication). Published | Peer-reviewed NEJM 2025 |
| Lateral septum neuron study [2] | Mouse Mice with GLP-1 receptor-positive neurons in the lateral septum monitored or silenced | Researchers reported these neurons mediated liraglutide's measured reductions in food intake and body weight | Peer-reviewed J Clin Invest 2024 |
| Bone and neutrophil trap study [3] | Rat High-fat diet plus streptozotocin model, n=5 per group, 12 weeks; rat bone marrow stromal cells | Femur NET markers lower (MPO down 56-65%, cit-H3 down 37-54%); SIRT1 up 71-91%; bone formation markers higher vs untreated model | Peer-reviewed Iran J Pharm Res 2024 |
| Systematic review of bone studies [4] | Review 17 rodent studies, mostly ovariectomy and/or streptozotocin-induction models in rats | Pooled femur bone mineral density higher vs controls (SMD 1.95, 10 studies); authors rate study quality as modest | Peer-reviewed Front Endocrinol 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.
