DEFINITION
GIP receptors (GIPR) are expressed on adipocytes, where GIP signalling modulates triglyceride handling, lipoprotein lipase activity and insulin sensitivity. This adipose-tissue arm of GIP biology is one of the features that distinguishes GIP-active pharmacology from selective GLP-1 receptor agonism.
Dual GIP / GLP-1 agonists such as Tirzepatide engage the GIP-adipocyte axis directly. The clinical significance of this axis relative to central appetite signalling remains an active research question, with rodent and human data both contributing.
WHY IT MATTERS
The GIP-adipocyte axis is a distinguishing mechanistic feature of dual and triple agonists compared with GLP-1 mono-agonists.
RELATED
Compounds