www.astralcodexten.com/p/why-does-ozempic-cure-all-diseases
2 corrections found
there are no GLP-1 receptors on immune cells
This absolute claim is incorrect. Multiple primary studies have identified GLP-1 receptors on immune cells, including gut intraepithelial lymphocytes and subsets of T cells, including human activated CD4+ T cells.
Full reasoning
The article states as a flat fact that “there are no GLP-1 receptors on immune cells.” That is contradicted by later primary research.
Two examples:
- A 2022 Cell Metabolism paper reported that gut intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) — which are immune cells — express the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R). Its abstract says: “Here, we show that the gut IEL GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R)…” and further describes anti-inflammatory effects that require this receptor.
- A 2024 Cell Metabolism paper specifically investigated T lymphocytes and reported that “a subset of T lymphocytes expresses GLP-1R.”
- A 2022 human study in Cells found that activated human T cells express functional GLP-1R, and that GLP-1R agonist stimulation increased intracellular cAMP in those cells.
Because immune cells with GLP-1 receptors have been directly identified, the article’s blanket statement that there are no GLP-1 receptors on immune cells is incorrect. At most, one could say GLP-1R expression on immune cells is limited, context-dependent, or not present on all immune cell types — but not absent altogether.
3 sources
- Divergent roles for the gut intraepithelial lymphocyte GLP-1R in control of metabolism, microbiota, and T cell-induced inflammation - PubMed
Here, we show that the gut IEL GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) ... the anti-inflammatory actions of GLP-1RAs require the gut IEL GLP-1R...
- Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor is a T cell-negative costimulatory molecule - PubMed
Our data showed that a subset of T lymphocytes expresses GLP-1R, which is upregulated during alloimmune response...
- Induced Human Regulatory T Cells Express the Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor - PubMed
Here, we provide evidence that activated human T cells express GLP-1R. The expressed GLP-1R was functional...
None of these anti-addictive drugs affect wholesome rewards like the feeling of a job well done or a child’s smile.
This blanket claim is too strong. Naltrexone has been shown in controlled human studies to reduce normal social reward, including feelings of social connection, warmth, and liking toward close others and positive social stimuli.
Full reasoning
The article presents this as an absolute: “None of these anti-addictive drugs affect wholesome rewards…” But one of the drugs discussed in the same section — naltrexone — has been shown in controlled studies to blunt ordinary social reward, which is a normal, non-addictive reward.
Examples from randomized human studies:
- In a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, naltrexone reduced feelings of connection both in the laboratory and in daily reports.
- In a separate placebo-controlled clinical trial, naltrexone reduced feelings of social connection toward close others such as family, friends, and romantic partners.
- Another human study reported that naltrexone reduced feelings of social “warmth” and “liking” in response to positive social stimuli.
Those are ordinary prosocial rewards, not drug rewards or compulsive behaviors. So the article’s categorical statement that these anti-addictive drugs do not affect “wholesome rewards” is incorrect.
3 sources
- Opioids and social bonding: naltrexone reduces feelings of social connection - PMC
Results demonstrated that naltrexone (vs placebo) reduced feelings of connection both in the laboratory and in daily reports.
- Opioids and social bonding: Effect of naltrexone on feelings of social connection and ventral striatum activity to close others - PMC
In support of hypotheses, naltrexone (vs. placebo) reduced feelings of social connection toward the close others (e.g., family, friends, romantic partners).
- Naltrexone alters the processing of social and emotional stimuli in healthy adults - PMC
In these three cases, NTX reduced feelings of social 'warmth' and 'liking', again consistent with expected effects of mu-opioid antagonism on responses to positive social stimuli.