Polyethylene Glycol Loxenatide Matches Semaglutide for Diabetes Control and Cardiorenal Benefits

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar, leading to severe complications like cardiovascular disease and kidney damage. GLP-1 receptor agonists are highly effective treatments, but real-world comparative data on newer agents like polyethylene glycol loxenatide against established ones like semaglutide is limited, especially regarding cardiorenal protective effects in Chinese populations.

Both polyethylene glycol loxenatide and semaglutide significantly improved glycemic control. HbA1c decreased by 1.4% in the loxenatide group and 1.5% in the semaglutide group (p=0.08 for difference), with 58% vs 62% achieving target HbA1c <7.0% respectively. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) decreased by 2.8 mmol/L with loxenatide and 3.0 mmol/L with semaglutide (p=0.12). Renal function, assessed by eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), remained stable in both groups, with no significant decline observed over 12 months (p>0.05). The overall incidence of adverse events was similar, with 22% in the loxenatide group and 25% in the semaglutide group (p=0.31), primarily gastrointestinal side effects. The most significant finding was that polyethylene glycol loxenatide demonstrated comparable efficacy to semaglutide across all primary and exploratory endpoints, including a 15% reduction in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and a 5 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure in both groups.