Description
Tirzepatide
GLP-TZ is a synthetic 39-amino acid peptide and the first dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist — sometimes referred to as a “twincretin” — developed to simultaneously activate two hormone pathways involved in blood sugar regulation and energy metabolism (Dahl et al., 2021).
Mechanism of Action
- GLP-TZ activates both the GIP receptor and the GLP-1 receptor, two key signalling pathways that regulate insulin release, appetite, and fat metabolism
- Research shows it engages the GIP receptor with greater affinity than the GLP-1 receptor, and demonstrates a distinct signalling profile at the GLP-1 receptor compared to selective GLP-1 agonists — a characteristic described as “imbalanced and biased” agonism (Willard et al., 2020)
- Through these pathways, it promotes insulin release in response to food, reduces appetite signals in the brain, and slows the rate at which the stomach empties (Nauck & D’Alessio, 2022)
Key Research Findings
- Across the phase 3 SURPASS clinical trial programme, tirzepatide demonstrated reductions in blood glucose and body weight that exceeded those achieved by selective GLP-1 agonists, including semaglutide (Dahl et al., 2021)
- In preclinical and early clinical models, the combined GIP and GLP-1 receptor activation showed a synergistic effect on insulin response and metabolic outcomes beyond what either pathway achieves alone (Willard et al., 2020)
- Emerging research also points to potential applications in metabolic liver disease, cardiovascular risk reduction, and kidney function, reflecting the broad reach of GIP and GLP-1 receptor signalling (Karam et al., 2025)
For research use only. Not intended for use in humans or animals.
References
Dahl, D., Onishi, Y., Norwood, P., Huh, R., Bray, R., Patel, H., & Rodríguez, Á. (2021). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33325008/
Karam, G., Dib, C., Tannous, M., Farhat, Z., Khaddaj, H., & Mourad, A. (2025). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12507501/
Nauck, M. A., & D’Alessio, D. A. (2022). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36050763/
Willard, F. S., Douros, J. D., Gabe, M. B. N., Showalter, A. D., Stutsman, C., Bruemmer, D., Sloop, K. W., & Rosenkilde, M. M. (2020). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32730231/











