# Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in orthopaedics

**Authors:** Andreas F. Mavrogenis, Pavlos Altsitzioglou, Sotirios Pililis, Athanasios D. Anastasilakis, Symeon Tournis, Polyzois Makras, Theodosis Saranteas, Sebastien Lustig

PMC · DOI: 10.1051/sicotj/2025067 · 2026-03-06

## TL;DR

This paper explores how GLP-1 receptor agonists, used for blood sugar and weight control, may also benefit bone health and orthopedic recovery.

## Contribution

It provides a summary of current evidence on GLP-1RA effects on bone metabolism and their role in orthopedics.

## Key findings

- GLP-1RA drugs modulate osteoblast and osteoclast activity.
- They influence inflammatory pathways and neuroprotective systems.
- More research is needed on long-term safety and treatment comparisons.

## Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) help people control blood glucose and lose weight. They may also help with bone metabolism, healing fractures, keeping joints healthy, and recovering after surgery. There is growing amount of evidence of their ability to modulate the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, affect inflammatory pathways, and interact with neuroprotective and psychological systems. Although the growing importance of GLP-1 receptor agonists in orthopaedics marks a major shift in how metabolic medicines affect musculoskeletal health, current knowledge is still basic and lacks information on long-term results, safety, and how well different treatments work compared to one another. This paper summarizes the existing evidence on the effects of GLP-1RA drugs on bone metabolism and healing, and discusses their role in current orthopaedics.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** GCG (glucagon)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** TNFSF11 (TNF superfamily member 11) [NCBI Gene 8600] {aka CD254, ODF, OPGL, OPTB2, RANKL, TNLG6B}, CTNNB1 (catenin beta 1) [NCBI Gene 1499] {aka CTNNB, EVR7, MRD19, NEDSDV, armadillo}, GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) [NCBI Gene 2695], ACVR2A (activin A receptor type 2A) [NCBI Gene 92] {aka ACTRII, ACVR2}, TNFRSF11B (TNF receptor superfamily member 11b) [NCBI Gene 4982] {aka OCIF, OPG, PDB5, TR1}, INS (insulin) [NCBI Gene 3630] {aka IDDM, IDDM1, IDDM2, ILPR, IRDN, MODY10}, GLP1R (glucagon like peptide 1 receptor) [NCBI Gene 2740] {aka GLP-1, GLP-1-R, GLP-1R}, GCG (glucagon) [NCBI Gene 2641] {aka GLP-1, GLP1, GLP2, GRPP}, SOST (sclerostin) [NCBI Gene 50964] {aka CDD, DAND6, SOST1, VBCH}
- **Diseases:** dyspepsia (MESH:D004415), cognitive decline (MESH:D003072), depression (MESH:D003866), chronic pain (MESH:D059350), aspiration (MESH:D011015), gastric emptying (MESH:D013272), nausea and vomiting (MESH:D020250), type 2 diabetes (MESH:D003924), constipation (MESH:D003248), postoperative fracture (MESH:D019106), gastrointestinal side (MESH:D005767), infections (MESH:D007239), osteoporosis (MESH:D010024), side effects (MESH:D064420), joint disorders (MESH:D007592), weight (MESH:D015431), arthritis (MESH:D001168), hip and pelvic fractures (MESH:D006620), fragility fractures (MESH:D005600), osteoarthritis (MESH:D010003), metabolic diseases (MESH:D008659), vomiting (MESH:D014839), obese (MESH:D009765), nausea (MESH:D009325), bone mineral density loss (MESH:D001851), postoperative delirium (MESH:D000071257), bowel dysmotility (MESH:D015154), diabetic gastroparesis (MESH:D018589), diabetes (MESH:D003920), abdominal pain (MESH:D015746), metabolic syndrome (MESH:D024821), inflammation (MESH:D007249), Parkinson's disease (MESH:D010300), pain (MESH:D010146), bone fractures (MESH:D050723)
- **Chemicals:** metoclopramide (MESH:D008787), glucose (MESH:D005947), GIPRAs (-), blood sugar (MESH:D001786), erythromycin (MESH:D004917), water (MESH:D014867), Exenatide (MESH:D000077270)
- **Species:** gut metagenome (species) [taxon 749906], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12965058/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12965058