GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1As) are typically evaluated in non-human primates (monkeys) during toxicity testing because of their closer physiological and metabolic similarities to humans, particularly in terms of the digestive system and hormonal regulation. These similarities can provide more relevant insights into how the drug might behave in humans.
Monkeys, particularly species like the rhesus macaque, have a gastrointestinal system that closely mirrors that of humans, including the GLP-1 receptor's role in glucose regulation. This makes them more suitable for evaluating the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and potential toxicities of GLP-1A drugs.
On the other hand, dogs are not typically used in GLP-1A evaluations due to differences in their digestive systems and overall metabolic responses to GLP-1, making them less predictive for human outcomes. Additionally, dogs may not have the same range of metabolic processes related to GLP-1 as monkeys, which could lead to less reliable results when evaluating the potential human effects of these drugs.
So, while dogs are frequently used in preclinical studies for other types of drug evaluation (especially cardiovascular, kidney, and liver toxicity), primates are generally preferred for drugs that impact hormonal or metabolic pathways closely tied to human biology, such as those involved in GLP-1A action.
GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1As) are often tested in monkeys for toxicity evaluation due to their physiological similarities to humans, particularly in metabolic processes like glucose regulation. Monkeys, especially non-human primates, have a similar endocrine system to humans, which allows for better prediction of how a drug might behave in human subjects. Their use helps assess potential safety concerns, dosing effects, and long-term outcomes before human trials.