GLP1R and atherosclerosis: Specifically, exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, has been shown to reduce atherosclerosis and monocyte adhesion to aortas, as well as the expression of the inflammatory gene in macrophages in mice, likely by increasing cAMP levels in these cells (Arakawa et al., 2010); therefore, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor activation has anti-inflammatory effects, direct effects on the heart (Drucker, 2016).