The possible synergistic action of sex hormones and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists on body mass decline in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Adiposity is a chronic disease and one of the major modifiable risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Its prevalence in the world could be considered epidemic with 80% of patients with T2DM being obese. Novel antidiabetic drugs, such as glucagone-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists have demonstrated benefitial effect on weight reduction. Nevertheless, in the last decades the need for new therapeutic strategies in the management of adiposity have emerged. Both adiposity and T2DM have negative effect on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Conversely, it has been known that sex hormone replacement therapy improves metabolic parameters in hypogonadal subjects. Recent research has found potential therapeutic effect of combination therapies with sex hormones and GLP-1 agonists in reducing body weight. Based on the aforementioned, we hypothesize that there is a possible synergistic effect of GLP-1 agonists and sex hormones on body mass reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes. The possible additional effect of sex hormones on weight loss could contribute to more effective treatment of T2DM and its complications.