Evidence mapPaperPMID 40777992Full record

ReviewFrontiers in pharmacology2025

Unlocking the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists in ocular therapeutics: from molecular pathways to clinical impact.

Zhixuan Xie, Zuyi Yang, Dianzhe Tian, Youxin Chen

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Frontiers in pharmacology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
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  4. Review
  5. Article
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  8. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Zhixuan Xie *Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Zuyi Yang *Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Dianzhe Tian *Eight-Year Medical Doctor Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Youxin ChenDepartment of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), initially developed for diabetes and obesity, exhibit pleiotropic effects-including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties-that position them as transformative candidates for ocular therapeutics. Ocular diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are driven by multifactorial pathogenesis. Current therapies often target specific pathways or symptoms, and the potential effect of GLP-1RAs on the eye is still debated. The latest research and trials on the effect of GLP-1RAs in the eye were searched until April 2025, including thorough cellular studies, animal studies, and clinical observation surrounding glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and other ocular diseases. This review delineates the multifaceted mechanisms by which GLP-1RAs exert ocular benefits, including retinal ganglion cell (RGC) rescue via calcium channel and GABAergic modulation, mitochondrial protection through PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy and ERK1/2-HDAC6 signaling, as well as potent anti-inflammatory effects via cytokine reduction and immune cell recruitment inhibition. Moreover, GLP-1RAs contribute to retinal remodeling by stabilizing vascular integrity and extracellular matrix homeostasis, and they display anti-angiogenic properties critical for mitigating neovascular complications. Clinical evidence underscores a reduced incidence of glaucoma and potential benefits in diabetic retinopathy. However, conflicting evidence highlights context-dependent risks, such as early DR worsening in poorly controlled glycemic states. In conclusion, this review synthesizes molecular insights and clinical evidence to underscore GLP-1RAs' potential as multi-targeted disease-modifying agents, urging further research to translate preclinical promise into safe, effective ocular therapies.

Indexed as

diabetic retinopathyglaucomaglucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonistsmechanismocular diseases

Identifiers

PMID40777992
PMCPMC12328412

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.