Liraglutide + Calorie-Restricted Diet Proposed to Augment Weight Loss, Reduce T2DM/CVD Risk

While GLP-1 compounds like liraglutide are well-established for improving glycemic control in patients with manifest type 2 diabetes (T2DM), there is a significant knowledge gap regarding their utility in non-diabetic individuals at high risk. Specifically, older (50-60 years), overweight/obese, prediabetic individuals face greatly increased risk for both T2DM and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Current lifestyle modifications often fall short, necessitating investigation into pharmacological interventions that could proactively mitigate these severe health outcomes.

This proposed study aims to recruit older (50 to 60 years of age), overweight/obese, prediabetic individuals who are at high risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Participants will be assigned to either a calorie-restricted diet alone or a calorie-restricted diet with the addition of liraglutide. The primary objective is to quantify the effects of liraglutide on weight loss, insulin secretion, insulin action, and multiple CVD risk factors. The study emphasizes using specific, direct methods to assess these outcomes, rather than surrogate estimates, to provide new insights into GLP-1's metabolic effects.