Description
Tirzepatide
GLP-TZ is a synthetic 39-amino acid peptide, notable as the first dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, sometimes called a “twincretin,” built to activate two separate hormone pathways governing blood sugar regulation and energy metabolism at once (Dahl et al., 2021).
Mechanism of Action
- GLP-TZ engages both the GIP receptor and the GLP-1 receptor, two pathways central to insulin release, appetite regulation, and fat metabolism
- Research shows stronger binding affinity at the GIP receptor relative to the GLP-1 receptor, along with a signalling profile at the GLP-1 receptor that differs from selective GLP-1 agonists, a pattern described as “imbalanced and biased” agonism (Willard et al., 2020)
- These combined pathways drive food-triggered insulin release, dampen appetite signalling in the brain, and slow gastric emptying (Nauck & D’Alessio, 2022)
Key Research Findings
- Across the phase 3 SURPASS trial programme, tirzepatide produced greater reductions in blood glucose and body weight than selective GLP-1 agonists, including semaglutide (Dahl et al., 2021)
- Preclinical and early clinical data show that activating both GIP and GLP-1 receptors together produces a synergistic effect on insulin response and metabolic outcomes, beyond what either receptor pathway achieves alone (Willard et al., 2020)
- Emerging research also suggests possible relevance to metabolic liver disease, cardiovascular risk, and kidney function, reflecting how broadly GIP and GLP-1 signalling extends across tissue types (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/





