IMPACT OF GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONIST SEMAGLUTIDE ON CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS IN DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

This study examined the effects of the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 148 patients were randomly assigned to either the semaglutide group (Obs, n = 74) or the liraglutide group (Ctrl, n = 74). Measurements of CIMT, plaque index (PI), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, HDL-C, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and body mass index (BMI) were taken before and after treatment. Both groups showed decreased CIMT post-treatment, with a significantly greater reduction in the Obs group (p < 0.05). PI increased less in the Obs group compared to the Ctrl group (p < 0.05). Improvements in SBP, DBP, BMI, FBG, HbA1c, 2hPG, TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were more significant in the Obs group (p < 0.05). Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC) analysis showed a significant correlation between these changes and CIMT (p < 0.05). The total efficacy rate was higher in the Obs group (87.84% vs. 77.03%, p < 0.05) with no significant difference in adverse reactions (p > 0.05). Semaglutide effectively improved cardiovascular risk factors and reduced CIMT, suggesting it as a promising treatment for reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) complications in diabetes patients.