Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a 30-amino acid hormone primarily expressed in the intestine and hypothalamus. Recent studies show that GLP-1 plays a key role in lipid metabolism, influencing fat synthesis, differentiation, cholesterol metabolism, and adipose browning. It regulates lipid metabolism to help prevent metabolic diseases like obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and atherosclerosis. GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, such as exenatide and liraglutide, have shown potential in improving lipid metabolism. Dual agonists that activate both GLP-1R and GIPR (GLP-/GIP dual agonists) may offer greater benefits than GLP-1R agonists alone. GLP-1 has various physiological functions, including improving lung function, enhancing pancreatic β-cell function, delaying gastric emptying, and protecting kidney function. In the liver, GLP-1 reduces fat accumulation by modulating lipid metabolism through pathways like AMPK/mTOR and downregulating SREBP-1c. It also promotes cholesterol efflux via ABCA1 and reduces intracellular cholesterol. In adipose tissue, GLP-1 regulates adipocyte development, enhances lipolysis, and promotes brown adipose tissue (BAT) browning, which increases energy expenditure. GLP-1 modulates lipid metabolism by reducing hepatic lipid synthesis, enhancing lipolysis, and improving cholesterol metabolism. It increases ABCA1 and apo AI expression, promoting cholesterol efflux and reducing atherosclerosis. GLP-1 also reduces liver fat accumulation by inhibiting fat absorption and regulating lipid metabolism genes. In animal studies, GLP-1R agonists like liraglutide and tirzepatide (a GLP-/GIP dual agonist) have shown significant improvements in lipid metabolism, reducing liver fat, and improving NAFLD and NASH. In clinical applications, GLP-1 and its agonists have shown potential in treating obesity, NAFLD, and atherosclerosis. They reduce body weight, improve lipid profiles, and lower liver fat content. However, some studies suggest that GLP-1R agonists may have limited efficacy in NAFLD due to gastrointestinal side effects. GLP-/GIP dual agonists, such as tirzepatide, have shown greater lipid-lowering effects and improved outcomes in NAFLD and NASH compared to GLP-1R agonists. Overall, GLP-1 and its agonists are promising targets for treating metabolic disorders, with dual agonists offering enhanced therapeutic potential. Further research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms and optimize their use in clinical settings.Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a 30-amino acid hormone primarily expressed in the intestine and hypothalamus. Recent studies show that GLP-1 plays a key role in lipid metabolism, influencing fat synthesis, differentiation, cholesterol metabolism, and adipose browning. It regulates lipid metabolism to help prevent metabolic diseases like obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and atherosclerosis. GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, such as exenatide and liraglutide, have shown potential in improving lipid metabolism. Dual agonists that activate both GLP-1R and GIPR (GLP-/GIP dual agonists) may offer greater benefits than GLP-1R agonists alone. GLP-1 has various physiological functions, including improving lung function, enhancing pancreatic β-cell function, delaying gastric emptying, and protecting kidney function. In the liver, GLP-1 reduces fat accumulation by modulating lipid metabolism through pathways like AMPK/mTOR and downregulating SREBP-1c. It also promotes cholesterol efflux via ABCA1 and reduces intracellular cholesterol. In adipose tissue, GLP-1 regulates adipocyte development, enhances lipolysis, and promotes brown adipose tissue (BAT) browning, which increases energy expenditure. GLP-1 modulates lipid metabolism by reducing hepatic lipid synthesis, enhancing lipolysis, and improving cholesterol metabolism. It increases ABCA1 and apo AI expression, promoting cholesterol efflux and reducing atherosclerosis. GLP-1 also reduces liver fat accumulation by inhibiting fat absorption and regulating lipid metabolism genes. In animal studies, GLP-1R agonists like liraglutide and tirzepatide (a GLP-/GIP dual agonist) have shown significant improvements in lipid metabolism, reducing liver fat, and improving NAFLD and NASH. In clinical applications, GLP-1 and its agonists have shown potential in treating obesity, NAFLD, and atherosclerosis. They reduce body weight, improve lipid profiles, and lower liver fat content. However, some studies suggest that GLP-1R agonists may have limited efficacy in NAFLD due to gastrointestinal side effects. GLP-/GIP dual agonists, such as tirzepatide, have shown greater lipid-lowering effects and improved outcomes in NAFLD and NASH compared to GLP-1R agonists. Overall, GLP-1 and its agonists are promising targets for treating metabolic disorders, with dual agonists offering enhanced therapeutic potential. Further research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms and optimize their use in clinical settings.