The role of GLP-1 receptor in pain disorders and its pharmacological properties

Abstract

The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor plays a crucial role in regulating glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Initially, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) were used as treatments for diabetes mellitus and obesity. Recent studies on pain disorders have shown that GLP-1RAs can also alleviate neuroinflammation, inhibit oxidative stress, attenuate apoptosis, and enable the retention of neuronal function through interactions with related pathways, ultimately relieving hyperalgesia. Hence, GLP-1RAs are potential treatments for pain diseases. In this work, we provide a comprehensive review of the distribution and function of GLP-1 receptors in the nervous system. We also summarize the intrinsic relationships between GLP-1 receptors and various pain disorders including neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, headache, and visceral pain. Moreover, we explore the pharmacological properties of GLP-1RAs as therapeutic agents for pain to elucidate their biological mechanisms in pain relief.

Keywords: Agonists; GLP-1 receptor; Headache; Inflammatory pain; Nervous system; Neuropathic pain; Visceral pain.