Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a human incretin hormone derived from the proglucagon molecule. GLP-1 receptor agonists are frequently used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. However, the hormone affects the liver, pancreas, brain, fat cells, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review on the use of GLP-1 other than in treating diabetes. PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were searched, and the PRISMA guidelines were followed. Nineteen clinical studies were selected. The results showed that GLP-1 agonists can benefit defined off-medication motor scores in Parkinson’s Disease and improve emotional well-being. In Alzheimer’s disease, GLP-1 analogs can improve the brain’s glucose metabolism by improving glucose transport across the blood–brain barrier. In depression, the analogs can improve quality of life and depression scales. GLP-1 analogs can also have a role in treating chemical dependency, inhibiting dopaminergic release in the brain’s reward centers, decreasing withdrawal effects and relapses. These medications can also improve lipotoxicity by reducing visceral adiposity and decreasing liver fat deposition, reducing insulin resistance and the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. The adverse effects are primarily gastrointestinal. Therefore, GLP-1 analogs can benefit other conditions besides traditional diabetes and obesity uses.

Sarcopenia is a disease that becomes more prevalent as the population ages, since it is directly linked to the process of senility, which courses with muscle atrophy and loss of muscle strength. Over time, sarcopenia is linked to obesity, being known as sarcopenic obesity, and leads to other metabolic changes. At the molecular level, organokines act on different tissues and can improve or harm sarcopenia. It all depends on their production process, which is associated with factors such as physical exercise, the aging process, and metabolic diseases. Because of the seriousness of these repercussions, the aim of this literature review is to conduct a review on the relationship between organokines, sarcopenia, diabetes, and other metabolic repercussions, as well the role of physical exercise. To build this review, PubMed-Medline, Embase, and COCHRANE databases were searched, and only studies written in English were included. It was observed that myokines, adipokines, hepatokines, and osteokines had direct impacts on the pathophysiology of sarcopenia and its metabolic repercussions. Therefore, knowing how organokines act is very important to know their impacts on age, disease prevention, and how they can be related to the prevention of muscle loss.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and when it causes CKD it is collectively referred to as diabetic kidney disease. One of the newer therapies for managing hyperglycemia is the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist (GLP‐1RA) drug class. This review summarizes the effects of GLP‐1RAs in patients with T2DM with CKD and evidence for renoprotection with GLP‐1RAs using data from observational studies, prospective clinical trials, post hoc analyses, and meta‐analyses. Evidence from some preclinical studies was also reviewed. Taken together, subgroup analyses of patients with varying degrees of renal function demonstrated that glycemic control with GLP‐1RAs was not markedly less effective in patients with mild or moderate renal impairment vs that in patients with normal function. GLP‐1RAs were associated with improvements in some cardiorenal risk factors, including systolic blood pressure and body weight. Furthermore, several large cardiovascular outcome studies showed reduced risks of composite renal outcomes, mostly driven by a reduction in macroalbuminuria, suggesting potential renoprotective effects of GLP‐1RAs. In conclusion, GLP‐1RAs effectively reduced hyperglycemia in patients with mild or moderately impaired kidney function in the limited number of studies to date. GLP‐1RAs may be considered in combination with other glucose‐lowering medications because of their ability to lower glucose in a glucose‐dependent manner, lowering their risk for hypoglycemia, while improving some cardiorenal risk factors. Potential renoprotective effects of GLP‐1RAs, and their renal mechanisms of action, warrant further investigation.

The treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) has always been a challenge for health professionals in relation to glycemic control. Increased body fat has been related to a worsening of the lipid profile and increased prevalence of dyslipidemia in this population, leading to negative repercussions on the control of cardiovascular risk. We aimed to investigate the distribution of lipid levels and the presence of dyslipidemia in children and adolescents with T1DM. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 81 individuals of both sexes (4–19 years) diagnosed with T1DM. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected, in addition to data on physical activity level, sexual maturation stage, and insulin administration regimen. Lipid levels were categorized as normal, borderline, and elevated, and the presence of dyslipidemia was diagnosed by the presence of one or more altered lipid parameter. We noted a prevalence of dyslipidemia in 65.4% of the participants when considering borderline lipid values. Of those, 23.5% had one altered lipid level, and 42.0% had two or more. The main altered lipid levels were total cholesterol and triglycerides, followed by non-HDL-c. The main factor associated with the worsening of lipid levels was the increase in HbA1c. Sex had a significant effect on the levels of TC, HDL-c, and ApoA-I. The results of this study reinforce the need to monitor lipid profile in children and adolescents with T1DM, as well as the importance of early intervention in treating dyslipidemia, especially in patients with poor glycemic control.

The aging process is closely linked to cognitive decline, and numerous studies have demonstrated a decrease in both the quality and quantity of sleep in the general population. Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) is a plant rich in bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils, which are responsible for its neuroprotective and antidepressant properties. Its positive effects on the sleep quality are probably, at least in part, attributable to the presence of rosmarinic acid, which modulates γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase activity. This review aimed to investigate the effects of M. officinalis on cognition and sleep quality in human clinical trials. For cognition, studies have shown that the plant improved cognitive performance and mood. In elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease, extracts standardized in rosmarinic acid stabilized cognitive functions and reduced neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation. Regarding sleep, a combination of lemon balm and valerian significantly improved sleep quality in postmenopausal women. Isolated lemon balm extracts also reduced sleep disorders in cardiac patients. When compared to citalopram, lemon balm enhanced the quality of life, including sleep quality. It is concluded that lemon balm has the potential to improve cognition and sleep quality; however, robust evidence is needed, as more rigorous trials are required.

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between glycemic control and increased glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), as assessed by serum creatinine and the CKiD equation in children and adolescents with T1DM. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved 80 T1DM patients (4–19 years) attending the Interdisciplinary Center for Diabetes. Biochemical, anthropometric, and skeletal muscle mass parameters were evaluated. The GFR was estimated using the CKiD equation expressed in mL/min/1.73 m². Results: Our results showed that nearly 19.0% of the included patients presented increased values for eGFR, and most had poor glycemic control. Patients with HbA1c levels above 8% presented eGRF > 130. There was a positive correlation between hyperglycemia, elevated HbA1c, and fat percentage with higher eGRF values. In addition, the reduction in lean mass and skeletal muscle mass was related to elevated eGRF. Conclusions: Our study indicates that children and adolescents with T1DM who have elevated HbA1c, lower lean mass, and less than five years of diagnosis of diabetes are more likely to present higher eGRF values.