How Semaglutide Works in Weight Loss and Type 2 Diabetes
A new experimental pill for type 2 diabetes and obesity could offer a promising alternative to popular medications like Ozempic. Researchers say the tablet helps the body burn fat and control blood sugar without reducing appetite or causing muscle loss.
The study, published in the journal Cell, was conducted by scientists from the Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University in Sweden.
Unlike Ozempic and similar GLP-1 drugs, which work by reducing hunger and are usually given as injections, this new treatment takes a different approach. It targets skeletal muscles and boosts their metabolism, helping the body use energy more efficiently.
In animal studies, the pill improved blood sugar levels, increased fat burning, and helped maintain muscle mass. Researchers also noted that it avoided some common side effects linked to GLP-1 drugs, such as digestive problems and excessive appetite suppression.
The treatment is taken as a simple tablet, making it potentially more convenient for patients than injectable medications.
Early human testing has also produced encouraging results. A Phase I clinical trial involving 48 healthy volunteers and 25 people with type 2 diabetes found that the drug was safe and well tolerated.
According to Professor Tore Bengtsson of Stockholm University, preserving muscle mass is especially important because healthy muscles play a major role in managing diabetes, obesity, and overall longevity.
The drug is based on a specially designed molecule called a beta-2 agonist. Scientists engineered it to improve muscle metabolism while avoiding excessive stimulation of the heart, a challenge that has limited similar treatments in the past.
Researchers believe the new medicine could be used on its own or combined with existing GLP-1 drugs for even better results.
The next step is a larger Phase II clinical trial, which will be conducted by Atrogi AB, the company developing the treatment. This study will determine whether the benefits seen in earlier research can be confirmed in larger groups of people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
While the findings are promising, experts emphasize that the drug is still under development and requires further testing before it can become widely available.
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