Last updated September 12, 2026
Key finding
Liraglutide increased serum levels of deoxycholic acid in the fasting state [0.20 μmol/L (95% CI 0.027-0.376), p = 0.024].
This study investigated the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors on gallbladder volume and bile acid profiles in type 2 diabetes patients, finding significant changes in bile acid levels with liraglutide and sitagliptin.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Medium-Term (3–12 mo)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.
Study focus
This study investigated the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors on gallbladder volume and bile acid profiles in type 2 diabetes patients, finding significant changes in bile acid levels with liraglutide and sitagliptin.
Understanding how these medications affect bile acid profiles is crucial for managing type 2 diabetes and may have implications for gastrointestinal health. Changes in bile acid levels can influence metabolism and the risk of complications associated with diabetes.
The study did not assess long-term effects of the interventions. Sample size and demographic diversity may limit generalizability. No assessment of potential confounding factors affecting bile acid levels.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Mark MS, Lennart T, Marcel HM, et al. Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and DPP-4 Inhibitors on Gallbladder Volume and Bile Acid Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Patients. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism. 2016;18(12):1217-1225. doi:10.1111/dom.12748
Liraglutide increased serum deoxycholic acid levels in the fasting state by 0.20 μmol/L (p = 0.024).
Liraglutide increased serum deoxycholic acid levels in the postprandial state with an AUC of 40.71 (p = 0.005).
Sitagliptin increased fecal levels of chenodeoxycholic acid by a ratio of 3.42 (p = 0.012).
Sitagliptin increased fecal levels of cholic acid by a ratio of 3.32 (p = 0.017).
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Liraglutide, Sitagliptin and Change in Serum IL-1β Levels, Faecal deoxycholic acid, Gallbladder fasting volume, and 4 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Liraglutide
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
3
Related topics
7
Evidence pairs
150
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Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence topic
matched_intervention
Related evidence
Evidence topic
Save evidence
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Liraglutide → Change in Serum IL-1β Levels
Liraglutide → Change in Serum IL-1β Levels
Liraglutide → Gallbladder fasting volume
Liraglutide → Gallbladder fasting volume
Liraglutide → Serum deoxycholic acid levels (postprandial state)
Liraglutide → Serum deoxycholic acid levels (postprandial state)
Sitagliptin → Faecal chenodeoxycholic acid
Sitagliptin → Faecal chenodeoxycholic acid
Sitagliptin → Faecal ursodeoxycholic acid
Sitagliptin → Faecal ursodeoxycholic acid
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Faecal deoxycholic acid, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Gallbladder fasting volume.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Faecal deoxycholic acid
Measures Faecal deoxycholic acid as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Gallbladder fasting volume
Measures Gallbladder fasting volume as a key outcome.
All studies on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
Contributes to GLP-1 Receptor Agonists evidence base.
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1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Liraglutide appears to improve faecal deoxycholic acid.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Faecal deoxycholic acid
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Sitagliptin appears to improve faecal chenodeoxycholic acid.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Faecal chenodeoxycholic acid
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Sitagliptin appears to improve faecal cholic acid.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Faecal cholic acid
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Sitagliptin appears to improve faecal ursodeoxycholic acid.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Faecal ursodeoxycholic acid
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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