Unexpected Hormone Discovery Could Change How We Treat Arthritis

Researchers have uncovered a previously unobserved presence of the GLP-1 hormone in the joints of arthritis patients.

Arthritis is not a single disease but a broad category of joint disorders that includes autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, as well as degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis. Despite their differences, many forms share common symptoms, including joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, which can significantly affect daily life.

Current treatments are designed to control inflammation, slow disease progression in some cases, and manage discomfort rather than address underlying biological mechanisms.

Now, researchers at Aarhus University’s Department of Biomedicine have identified a possible new biological pathway that could reshape how scientists think about treating these conditions. Their findings, published in Lancet Rheumatology, point to an unexpected player inside the joint environment: the hormone GLP-1, which is best known for its role in regulating blood sugar and appetite.

“Our study shows that the body’s own GLP-1 hormone is present only in very small amounts in the joints. This means that its natural effect in the joint is likely to be limited. However, it also suggests that GLP-1-based medication, which is administered in much higher doses, may be able to influence inflammation directly in the joints,” he says.

A Potential New Role for GLP-1

Because GLP-1 medications deliver the hormone at much higher levels than the body naturally produces in joints, they may be able to affect inflammation in these areas.

“Weight loss is already part of the recommendations for many patients with arthritis, but our study may indicate that medication such as Wegovy could have a dual effect – both through weight loss and by increasing GLP-1 levels in the joints,” says Tue Wenzel Kragstrup.

The research is based on analyses of blood and joint fluid samples collected from arthritis patients. Medical doctor and PhD student Mads Brüner conducted the data analysis in collaboration with PhD student Amalie Broksø. According to Brüner, GLP-1 levels in joint fluid closely reflect those found in the bloodstream:

“We can see that the levels of GLP-1 in joint fluid are closely linked to the levels in the blood. This suggests that it is primarily the amount of GLP-1 circulating in the body that determines how much reaches the joint,” he says.

Early Findings and Scientific Context

Earlier studies have suggested that GLP-1 may have anti-inflammatory properties. However, this is the first time researchers have identified the hormone in the joint fluid of arthritis patients, according to Kragstrup.

“Our findings provide a biological basis for investigating whether GLP-1-based medication may have direct effects in the joints – beyond the known effects on weight and metabolism. However, we have not demonstrated that the treatment works against arthritis. This will require a number of clinical studies,” he says.

For now, patients should not expect GLP-1 medications to be prescribed specifically for arthritis treatment, he adds.

“The next step is to investigate whether the medication reaches the joints in sufficient quantities and actually reduces inflammation in the joints.”

Reference: “Detection of GLP-1 and DPP-4 in synovial fluid: implications for therapeutical strategies in arthritis” by Amalie Dyrelund Broksø, Mads Brüner, Bolette Hartmann, Knud Josefsen, Jens Juul Holst and Tue Wenzel Kragstrup, 14 April 2026, The Lancet Rheumatology.
DOI: 10.1016/S2665-9913(26)00074-3

Funding: Director Michael Hermann Nielsen’s Memorial Grant and the Risford Foundation.

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