The expression levels of IL-6, IKK-ε and NF-κB were elevated in pancreatic cells from T2DM rats, accompanied by increased Bax expression and decreased Bcl-2 expression, as well as decreased pancreatic β-cell function; The GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide was able to reduce Bax expression in pancreatic cells from T2DM rats, and Bcl-2 expression was increased, islet tissue structure was improved, insulin-positive expression was increased, and β-cell apoptosis was reduced (Liu et al., 2021). Here, IKBKE is linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus.