Researchers from Aarhus University have discovered that a hormone linked to popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs may also play a role inside the joints of people with arthritis. The findings could eventually help scientists develop new ways to treat painful joint conditions. The findings of this study are published in the journal of The Lancet Rheumatology.
Arthritis affects millions of people around the world, especially adults over the age of 50. The condition causes pain, swelling and difficulty moving the joints. Some people may live with very mild symptoms. While others struggle with severe pain that affects daily life. In such serious cases, patients may even need joint replacement surgery. There are several different forms of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are inflammatory diseases that happen when the immune system attacks the joints.
Osteoarthritis, the most common type, develops when the protective cartilage in the joints wears down over time. Current treatments mainly focus on easing pain and reducing inflammation.
Now, scientists believe a hormone called GLP-1 may also help in the future. GLP-1 is naturally produced in the body and helps control blood sugar and appetite. It is also the main ingredient used in popular medicines for diabetes and weight loss, including Wegovy. The research team studied blood samples and joint fluid from arthritis patients. They discovered that small amounts of GLP-1 were present inside the joints.
According to the researchers, this is the first time the hormone has been identified in joint fluid in people with arthritis. Associate Professor Tue Wenzel Kragstrup, who led the study, said the natural amount of GLP-1 in the joints is very low. Because of these findings, the hormone’s normal effect inside the joint is probably limited.
However, medicines containing GLP-1 use much larger doses, which may allow the hormone to influence inflammation directly in the joints. The researchers believe the findings could explain why some people taking weight-loss drugs may also notice improvements in joint pain. Losing weight already helps reduce pressure on the joints, especially in conditions like osteoarthritis. But scientists now think the medication itself might also have a direct anti-inflammatory effect.
The study also indicated that GLP-1 levels inside the joints closely matched the levels found in the blood. This means the more GLP-1 circulates in the body, the more it may reach the joints. Medical doctor and PhD student Mads Brüner said this connection suggests that blood levels play an important role in determining how much of the hormone enters joint fluid.
Despite the promising findings, the researchers emphasised the need for further work. The study did not prove that GLP-1 drugs can successfully treat arthritis. Scientists still need to carry out clinical trials to see whether the medicines reduce joint inflammation and improve symptoms in patients. The team says arthritis patients should not expect these drugs to become standard treatment anytime soon.
Future research will need to confirm whether enough of the medication reaches the joints and whether it truly provides long-term benefits. Still, the discovery offers hope for new treatment possibilities. If future studies are successful, medicines already used for diabetes and weight loss could one day also help people living with painful joint diseases.
The study was done in collaboration between researchers from the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University, the Department of Molecular Medicine (MOMA) at Aarhus University Hospital, the Clinic for Rheumatic and Connective Tissue Diseases at the Medical Diagnostic Centre at Hospitalsenhed Midt, as well as the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research and the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen.
