Safety, tolerability and efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) in the management of post-liver transplant weight gain: A multicenter, observational study.

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Background & Aims Post-liver transplant (LT) weight gain and metabolic dysfunction predispose to cardiovascular (CV) morbidity, allograft steatosis, and reduced long-term survival. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) promote weight loss and improve cardiometabolic health, yet evidence in liver transplant recipients (LTR) is limited. We aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of GLP-1 RAs in post-LT weight management.Methods We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of adult LTRs treated with GLP-1 RAs across four international centers (January 1, 2010-June 30, 2025). Regular GLP-1 RA users were compared with matched non-users by age, sex, obesity and diabetes status, transplant year, and center. Primary outcome was change in body weight 1-year post-exposure. Secondary outcomes included glycemic and lipid profiles, kidney and allograft function, immunosuppression effects, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and adverse effects. Longitudinal analyses used linear mixed models with multiple imputation.Results Among 104 GLP-1 RA users, 68.3% initiated therapy for diabetes; subcutaneous semaglutide was most used at a median dose of 0.82±0.46 mg weekly. Treatment led to significant reductions in body weight (-3.8 kg; -3.9%, p<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (-1.6 kg/m2; -5.0%, p<0.001), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (-0.48%, p=0.002), with modest lipid improvement. Liver function tests and immunosuppression trough levels remained stable, and no treatment-limiting adverse events occurred. In matched analyses (80 GLP-1 RA users vs. 116 non-users), GLP-1 RAs facilitated greater weight loss (-3.4 kg difference, p=0.009) and HbA1c reduction (-0.43% difference in HbA1c, p=0.042) without increased risk of allograft dysfunction, T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) or MACE.Conclusions This multicenter, international study demonstrates GLP-1 RAs are safe and moderately effective in reducing weight and improving metabolic parameters post-LT, without adverse effects on allograft function or immunosuppression, despite limitations of low dosing. Prospective, randomized trials of GLP-1 RAs in LTRs are thus warranted.

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