Effect of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Previous researches found that glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) offer benefits beyond their anti-diabetic properties, including weight loss and cardiovascular disease prevention. However, the effects of GLP-1RA on diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) remain unclear. This meta-analysis aims to assess the potential benefits of GLP-1RA treatment in DPN patients by evaluating peripheral neural function. Following the Cochrane Collaboration and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a meta-analysis of the clinical trials investigating the impact of GLP-1RA treatment on peripheral neural function in patients with DPN. Outcomes were measured using electrophysiological tests, including nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and action potential amplitude. Our meta-analysis included six studies with 271 participants. Following GLP-1RA treatment, NCV significantly improved compared to the control group (MD 1.74; 95% CI 1.16 to 2.33; p < 0.001) and before treatment (MD 2.16; 95% CI 1.04 to 3.27; p < 0.001). Despite the improvement in NCV, blood glucose levels did not change significantly (MD −0.20 95% CI −0.87 to 0.46, p = 0.55) indicating that GLP-1RA enhances NCV through mechanisms other than glucose lowering. Nonetheless, as a result of the limited population studied, further research is needed to strengthen the reliability of these findings. (Figure presented.).