Agonist

GLP-1 medications show mixed effects on body contouring outcomes

by

For patients undergoing body contouring surgery to remove excess abdominal skin after massive weight loss, use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications may have mixed effects on complication risks, suggests a study in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer. “As GLP-1 receptor agonist [GLP1ra] medications become increasingly integrated into the care … Read more

Study finds GLP-1 medicines cut fat while preserving muscle function

by

A new study in mice and humans suggests GLP-1 medicines drive weight loss primarily by reducing fat, while preserving muscle function and easing fears about harmful muscle wasting. Key takeaways Fat, not skeletal muscle, accounted for most of the weight loss. According to the study, GLP-1 medicines reduced body fat in obese mice much more … Read more

Investigating microglia’s role in Alzheimer’s pathology

by

Announcing a new article publication for BIO Integration journal. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Microglia, as central nervous system (CNS) resident macrophages, are key to AD pathology. Indeed, microglia aggregation around amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits is an AD hallmark. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) … Read more

Combined GLP-1 and GLP-2 treatment appears safe but does not beat placebo for obesity

by

Can combining two gut hormone pathways unlock better obesity treatments? In the first human trial of dapiglutide, researchers found encouraging metabolic signals but no statistically significant edge over placebo, highlighting both the promise and the limits of next-generation dual agonists. Trial: Dapiglutide, a dual GLP-1 and GLP-2 receptor agonist, for obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled … Read more

Short-duration psychedelic therapy shows promise for major depression treatment

by

A controlled clinical trial suggests a fast-acting psychedelic approach may reduce depressive symptoms, but researchers stress careful interpretation and the need for larger long-term studies. Study: A short-acting psychedelic intervention for major depressive disorder: a phase IIa randomized placebo-controlled trial. Image Credit: BLACKDAY / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers … Read more

Improving survival in people with severe psychiatric disorders

by

An expert editorial suggests that widely used diabetes and obesity drugs may help close the long-standing mortality gap faced by people with serious mental illnesses by tackling cardiovascular risk and metabolic disease head-on. Editorial: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have potential to transform health outcomes for persons with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder … Read more

Study shows minimal lean muscle mass loss with GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP therapy for weight loss

by

New research to be presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025, Malaga, Spain, 11-14 May) shows that patients using GLP-1 or combined GLP-1 / GIP receptor agonist therapy for weight loss experienced minimal lean muscle mass loss as they lost weight across 6 months of treatment. The study is by Dr Dinabel … Read more

Semaglutide linked to higher risk of vision problems, FDA data analysis shows

by

Using real-world data from over 300,000 cases, scientists uncovered a significant link between semaglutide and reported vision problems—raising new concerns about the safety profile of this blockbuster medication. Study: Increased vision impairment reports linked to semaglutide: analysis of FDA adverse event data. Image Credit: memorisz / Shutterstock A team of researchers at the University of Bern, Switzerland, … Read more

Vitamin E significantly improves liver health in MASH patients, new study finds

by

New research shows that Vitamin E therapy significantly enhances liver function and reduces inflammation in MASH patients, providing a safer and effective treatment option in the fight against metabolic liver disease. Study: Vitamin E (300 mg) in the treatment of MASH: A multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study In a recent study published in the journal Cell Reports … Read more

Study uncovers molecular mechanisms behind insulin resistance in skeletal muscle

by

Insulin resistance precedes and predicts the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), a chronic disease that causes high morbidity and mortality worldwide. In affected people, insulin is unable to facilitate the uptake of glucose through tissues and organs, leading to an increase in blood glucose (chronic hyperglycemia). Since skeletal muscle is the tissue that … Read more