Recently, concerns have been raised about the effects of new weight loss drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, namely the potential loss of not only fat tissue but also muscle mass. Although there is still not enough data to clearly confirm this, new research pays particular attention to the effects of these substances on the heart. A team of researchers from the University of Alberta in Canada conducted research on semaglutide, the active ingredient of Ozempic, and its effect on heart tissue.
Heart under the influence of semaglutide
The study included mice, both obese and lean, that received semaglutide for 21 days but did not suffer from diabetes or cardiac dysfunction. Obese mice lost about 30 percent. your body weight and 65 percent fat mass compared to the control group, which is a result consistent with expectations. In lean mice that were also treated with semaglutide, a reduction in skeletal muscle mass by approximately 8 percent was observed. after three weeks of taking the drug. Interestingly, although no changes were observed in heart function or heart wall thickness, both groups of mice (both lean and obese) showed reductions in heart weight and individual cardiac muscle cell size.
Though no clear signs of myocardial atrophy (wasting) were observed in the studies, the reduction in heart weight after semaglutide therapy is questionable. Scientists admit that the results of these studies may suggest that these drugs may lead to a reduction in heart mass and atrophy of the heart muscle, but they are unable to state this unambiguously because no classic markers of this condition were observed.
It is worth noting that even if such a reduction in heart weight occurs, it does not automatically mean something negative – in some cases it can have positive effects. Nevertheless, research results suggest that semaglutide may have ‘potential for long-term myocardial depletion’which may pose a risk to people with existing heart problems.
Although it is not yet known whether diet or exercise can help mitigate potential losses of heart muscle massresearch suggests that, as with skeletal muscle, these changes may be partially compensated by physical activity. With the growing number of patients likely to use these drugs in the future, researchers are calling for further research into their effects on our bodies.
Source: geekweek.interia.pl
