Heart protected by incretin molecules

Incretins: The Unsung Heroes of Heart Health in Diabetes?

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 3 min read.

"Explore how incretin-based therapies are revolutionizing diabetes care with surprising cardiovascular benefits."

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death for individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). While the link between diabetes and heart issues is well-established, traditional treatments for managing blood sugar haven't always translated into better cardiovascular outcomes. This has led researchers to explore new therapeutic avenues.

Enter incretins, a group of gut-derived hormones that are gaining attention not only for their role in glucose regulation but also for their potential heart-protecting properties. These hormones, which include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), stimulate insulin release and suppress glucagon, effectively managing blood sugar levels. But their benefits appear to extend far beyond glucose control.

This article examines the exciting research surrounding incretins and their impact on cardiovascular health. We'll delve into how these agents work, the specific benefits they offer to the heart, and what the future holds for incretin-based therapies in diabetes care.

How Do Incretins Protect the Heart?

Incretin-based therapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, work by mimicking or prolonging the action of natural incretin hormones. While their glucose-regulating effects are well-known, their potential cardiovascular benefits are multifaceted:

Studies have shown that GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptor agonists can positively influence the myocardium (heart muscle) and vascular endothelium (lining of blood vessels). These effects include:

Reducing Inflammation: Incretins possess anti-inflammatory actions, which can help stabilize atherosclerotic plaques and prevent them from rupturing, a major cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Preventing Atherosclerosis: These agents exhibit anti-atherogenic properties, meaning they can help prevent the formation of new plaques and slow the progression of existing ones.
Improving Lipid Profile: Incretins can positively impact blood lipid levels, reducing triglycerides and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol).
Lowering Blood Pressure: Some studies suggest that incretins can help lower blood pressure, reducing the strain on the cardiovascular system.

It's important to note that these cardioprotective actions appear to extend beyond just glucose control and weight loss. Research suggests that incretins may exert their effects through GLP-1R-dependent and independent actions, indicating a complex interplay of mechanisms.

The Future of Incretins in Cardiovascular Care

While the research on incretins and cardiovascular health is promising, larger randomized controlled trials are needed to fully understand the clinical implications of these findings. However, the existing evidence suggests that incretin-based therapies may offer a valuable tool in the fight against cardiovascular disease in individuals with diabetes. As research continues, we can expect a clearer picture of how to best utilize these agents for optimal heart health.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4093/dmj.2011.35.5.437, Alternate LINK

Title: Understanding The Cardiovascular Effects Of Incretin

Subject: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Journal: Diabetes & Metabolism Journal

Publisher: Korean Diabetes Association

Authors: Ji Sung Yoon, Hyoung Woo Lee

Published: 2011-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are incretins and why are they important?

Incretins are a group of gut-derived hormones like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). They play a crucial role in glucose regulation, stimulating insulin release and suppressing glucagon. This is important because they effectively manage blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). The implications are significant as they are now being explored for their potential heart-protecting properties, offering a new approach to managing cardiovascular disease in diabetes.

Why is cardiovascular disease a concern for individuals with diabetes?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death for individuals with diabetes. Traditional treatments for managing blood sugar haven't always translated into better cardiovascular outcomes. The significance is that the link between diabetes and heart issues is well-established, but new therapeutic avenues are needed to address this critical health concern. This means that there is an increased focus on finding treatments that specifically target and protect the heart in addition to controlling blood sugar.

How do incretin-based therapies work to protect the heart?

Incretin-based therapies, like GLP-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, mimic or prolong the action of natural incretin hormones. They reduce inflammation, which helps stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. They also prevent atherosclerosis, improve lipid profiles by reducing triglycerides and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and may lower blood pressure. This is critical as these therapies are a multifaceted approach to protecting the heart. The implication is that these treatments offer cardiovascular benefits beyond glucose control and weight loss.

What are the specific heart-protecting effects of incretins?

Incretins can influence the myocardium (heart muscle) and vascular endothelium (lining of blood vessels). They reduce inflammation, which can help stabilize atherosclerotic plaques and prevent heart attacks and strokes. They also exhibit anti-atherogenic properties, meaning they can help prevent the formation of new plaques and slow the progression of existing ones. Incretins can positively impact blood lipid levels, reducing triglycerides and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol), and may lower blood pressure, reducing the strain on the cardiovascular system. These benefits showcase the importance of incretins in protecting the heart.

What does the future hold for incretins in cardiovascular care?

The future of incretin-based therapies in cardiovascular care looks promising, but larger randomized controlled trials are needed to fully understand their clinical implications. The existing research suggests that these therapies may be a valuable tool in the fight against cardiovascular disease in individuals with diabetes. This indicates a shift in how we treat diabetes, with more attention on protecting the heart, potentially leading to better health outcomes. As research progresses, we can expect more refined treatment strategies using these agents for optimal heart health.