Topline
Individuals who use medication like Ozempic or Wegovy could expertise bone density loss, in keeping with a research printed Tuesday within the journal JAMA Community, amid issues the more and more widespread weight reduction medicines fail to protect muscle.
Different analysis suggests the more and more widespread weight reduction medication fail to protect muscle. NurPhoto through Getty Photographs
Key Info
A trial of 195 adults with weight problems discovered that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a category of medication used to deal with diabetes, resulted in diminished hip and backbone bone mineral density when used with out train in comparison with a placebo or train alone, researchers stated.
The members—aged 18 to 65—have been randomly break up into 4 teams for one 12 months: one which exercised and acquired a placebo, one which acquired only a placebo, a gaggle that acquired Novo Nordisk’s weight reduction drug liraglutide and one other group that acquired liraglutide and exercised.
The group that exercised and acquired liraglutide averaged related weight reduction to the group that simply acquired liraglutide, although the mixture group was extra profitable in preserving bone well being, the researchers stated.
Regardless of liraglutide being an older therapy for weight reduction, researchers stated it’s doubtless new medicines with semaglutide or tirzepatide—the lively ingredient in Novo’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, respectively—may even lead to an analogous discount in bone density as a result of they trigger related weight reduction.
Get Forbes Breaking Information Textual content Alerts: We’re launching textual content message alerts so you may all the time know the largest tales shaping the day’s headlines. Textual content “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or join right here.
Tangent
GLP-1 medication have been studied for his or her skill to take care of muscle mass whereas additionally serving to sufferers shed extra pounds. Over 1,300 members who used semaglutide in a 68-week trial misplaced a mean of practically 15 kilos of lean muscle and 23 kilos of fats. Altimmune introduced earlier this 12 months its experimental weight reduction drug pemvidutide minimized the lack of muscle mass whereas dropping pounds, suggesting the drug might mimic the results of weight loss program and train.
Key Background
Researchers have studied for years whether or not GLP-1 medication might cut back bone density, after earlier research recommended folks with weight problems and sort 2 diabetes doubtless have much less bone mass. Different research have indicated folks with kind 2 diabetes have an elevated threat of bone fractures due to their physique’s resistance to insulin, although it was beforehand unknown whether or not GLP-1 medication like Ozempic—permitted for treating kind 2 diabetes—might have an effect on bone well being.
Additional ReadingForbesWhat To Know About Pemvidutide-Altimmune Says Weight Loss Drug Minimized Muscle Mass Loss In TrialBy Ty Roush