Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues on epicardial adipose tissue: A meta-analysis

Background and aimsGlucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues reduce body fat and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Accumulation of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with increased cardio-metabolic risks and coronary events in type 2 diabetes.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were performed from Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues therapy on type 2 diabetes patients, reporting data from changes in EAT, after searching the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases.ResultsIt has been found a limited number of studies, a total of 4 studies (n = 160 patients with GLP-1 analogues therapy) were included in the final analysis. Pooled analysis revealed that GLP-1 analogues reduce EAT (MD: 1.83 mm [-2.50; ?1.10]; P < 0.01). Compared with the patients before the treatment, the patients after the treatment had a smaller HbA1c (MD -1.10%[-1.80; ?0.30]; p = 0.0143) and body mass index was reduced (MD -2.20 kg/m²[-3.70; ?0.60]; p = 0.0058), GLP-1 therapy reduced low-density lipoprotein levels (MD-13.53 mg/dL [-21.74; ?5.31]; p = 0.001) and reduced triglycerides levels significantly (MD -18.32 -28.20 mg/dL; ?8.50); p = 0.0003).ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that the amount of EAT is significantly reduced in T2D patients with Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues.