Tirzepatide (LY3298176) was developed as a dual agonist to both GLP-1 and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptors (Frias et al., 2018). Similar to GLP-1, GIP is an incretin hormone that functions to induce insulin secretion.
Tirzepatide is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems.
Mounjaro® and Ozempic® have distinct active ingredients: tirzepatide and semaglutide, respectively. However, both of these drugs are GLP-1 agonists, which bind to GLP-1 receptors, simulate a feeling of satiety, and signal the pancreas to produce insulin.
brand name: Mounjaro
It works to stimulate first- and second-phase insulin secretion, and reduces glucagon levels, both in a glucose-dependent manner. Tirzepatide was also shown to delay gastric emptying, lower fasting and postprandial glucose concentration, decrease food intake, 4 and reduce body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist that integrates the actions of both incretins into a single novel molecule. GIP is a hormone that may complement the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists. In preclinical models, GIP has been shown to decrease food intake and increase energy expenditure therefore resulting in weight reductions, and when combined with GLP-1 receptor agonism, may result in greater effects on markers of metabolic dysregulation such as body weight, glucose and lipids. Tirzepatide is in phase 3 development for adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidity and is currently under regulatory review as a treatment for adults with type 2 diabetes. It is also being studied as a potential treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Studies of tirzepatide in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and in morbidity/mortality in obesity are planned as well.
