What it is

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are a class of medications that mimic the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) to regulate blood sugar levels, appetite, and metabolic processes. Originally developed for type 2 diabetes management, these drugs have now become a cornerstone in treating obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk.

They work by stimulating insulin secretion when blood glucose is high, suppressing glucagon release, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite through central nervous system effects. Common GLP-1 RAs include liraglutide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, and tirzepatide (dual GLP-1/GIP agonist).

The technology encompasses drug development, delivery systems (injections, oral formulations, long-acting depots), and AI-guided personalized therapy algorithms for optimized metabolic outcomes.

Applications

• Diabetes management: Regulation of blood glucose through insulin and glucagon modulation.
• Obesity treatment: Appetite suppression and improved satiety drive significant weight loss.
• Cardiovascular protection: Reduction of heart attack and stroke risk by improving metabolic profiles.
• Liver disease: Potential therapy for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) through metabolic correction.
• Neurological applications: Exploration of neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
• Endocrine and hormonal research: Application in metabolic signaling and hormone interaction pathways.

Future potential

1. Personalized GLP-1 therapies: Genetic markers, gut microbiome data, and lifestyle analytics guiding dose and drug selection.
2. Combination drugs: Multi-agonists (GLP-1/GIP, GLP-1/glucagon) to enhance efficacy and metabolic control.
3. Oral and transdermal formulations: Advancements in delivery systems making long-term use easier.
4. AI-powered patient monitoring: Digital twins and AI tools for predicting outcomes, adherence, and metabolic responses.
5. Extended indications: Investigations into mood regulation, addiction management, and anti-aging metabolic optimization.

By 2030, GLP-1 receptor agonists are expected to reshape global healthcare by redefining how chronic diseases are prevented and managed.

Current Research Areas under GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Technology

1. Next-generation agonist design: Development of long-acting analogs, dual or triple agonists (GLP-1/GIP/glucagon), and peptide stabilization technologies.
2. Drug delivery innovation: Oral formulations, nanoparticle encapsulation, microneedle patches, and biodegradable depots for sustained release.
3. Molecular and receptor biology: Studies on GLP-1 receptor activation, downstream signaling, and receptor desensitization.
4. Neuroendocrine regulation: Exploring GLP-1 pathways in appetite control, addiction, stress, and neurodegeneration.
5. Cardio-metabolic outcomes: Long-term impact studies on cardiovascular events, renal function, and lipid metabolism.
6. Gut-brain axis and microbiome: Interaction between GLP-1 analogs and gut microbiota influencing metabolic responses.
7. Personalized and precision medicine: Pharmacogenomic studies predicting responsiveness and adverse event risks.
8. AI-driven metabolic modeling: Computational prediction of metabolic outcomes and optimization of dosing strategies.
9. Combination therapy research: Integration of GLP-1 RAs with insulin, SGLT2 inhibitors, and DPP-4 inhibitors.
10. Public health and economics: Real-world evidence studies evaluating cost-effectiveness, adherence, and healthcare outcomes.

Key Journals Accepting Papers on GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Technology

Open Access Journals

1. Frontiers in Endocrinology
   Focus: Diabetes, obesity, metabolic pathways, and hormonal therapy mechanisms.
   Fit: Basic and clinical research on GLP-1 analogs, receptor mechanisms, and translational findings.
   Indexing: Scopus, CSI-recognized.
2. BMC Endocrine Disorders
   Focus: Clinical studies on endocrinology, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic treatments.
   Fit: Real-world clinical trials, safety profiles, and public health implications.
   Indexing: Scopus, widely accepted in CSI metrics.
3. Frontiers in Pharmacology
   Focus: Drug development, receptor biology, and pharmacokinetics.
   Fit: Molecular pharmacology and delivery system research for GLP-1 RAs.
   Indexing: Scopus, CSI-approved for translational pharmacology.

Hybrid Journals

1. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism (DOM)
   Focus: Metabolic disorder treatments, clinical trials, and pharmacology.
   Fit: Efficacy, long-term outcomes, and mechanism studies on GLP-1 RAs.
   Indexing: Scopus Q1, top-tier in CSI medicine.
2. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology
   Focus: Clinical impact studies and translational endocrinology.
   Fit: Landmark trials and large cohort studies on GLP-1 drugs and metabolic benefits.
   Indexing: Scopus Q1, high-impact and widely recognized.
3. Diabetologia
   Focus: Basic and clinical diabetes research, molecular and therapeutic mechanisms.
   Fit: Mechanistic studies and metabolic modeling of GLP-1 action.
   Indexing: Scopus Q1, accepted in major CSI academic evaluations.
4. Nature Metabolism
   Focus: Translational metabolic research, energy balance, and therapeutic innovations.
   Fit: Cutting-edge discovery and translational GLP-1 research.
   Indexing: Scopus Q1, high visibility in CSI rankings.

Subscription Journals

1. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM)
   Focus: Hormonal regulation, endocrinology, and clinical therapeutic advancements.
   Fit: Clinical and translational studies on GLP-1 receptor activity and metabolic regulation.
   Indexing: Scopus Q1, highly ranked in CSI and global endocrinology.
2. Diabetes Care
   Focus: Clinical diabetes research, intervention studies, and long-term outcomes.
   Fit: Large-scale trials and patient-focused studies using GLP-1 RAs.
   Indexing: Scopus Q1, flagship journal recognized by all CSI databases.
3. Obesity Reviews
   Focus: Mechanisms, epidemiology, and treatment of obesity.
   Fit: Weight loss and metabolic outcomes of GLP-1 therapy.
   Indexing: Scopus Q1, accepted in CSI and medical impact metrics.
4. Endocrine Reviews
   Focus: Comprehensive review articles on endocrine system mechanisms and interventions.
   Fit: Systematic or narrative reviews of GLP-1 agonist mechanisms and future trends.
   Indexing: Scopus Q1, highly cited in endocrinology.

Summary Table

Type	Journal Name	Primary Focus	Scopus Indexed	CSI Recognition
Open Access	Frontiers in Endocrinology	Endocrine & metabolic mechanisms	✅	✅
Open Access	BMC Endocrine Disorders	Clinical endocrinology	✅	✅
Open Access	Frontiers in Pharmacology	Pharmacology & receptor biology	✅	✅
Hybrid	Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism	Clinical & translational research	✅	✅
Hybrid	The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology	Translational clinical impact	✅	✅
Hybrid	Diabetologia	Mechanistic diabetes studies	✅	✅
Subscription	JCEM	Clinical endocrinology & metabolism	✅	✅
Subscription	Diabetes Care	Clinical trials & management	✅	✅
Subscription	Obesity Reviews	Therapeutic and epidemiological obesity research	✅	✅