Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026
10:28
Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice
Published on: May 24, 2018
16.2K
Effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists on body composition
Akhila Bhandarkar1, Sowrabha Bhat2, Nitin Kapoor3
1Nitte (deemed to be University) KS Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA), Mangalore Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity
|October 12, 2025
Summary
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) effectively reduce fat mass, particularly visceral fat, while largely preserving lean body mass. Continued therapy is crucial to prevent weight regain, mainly as fat mass.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Obesity affects up to 85% of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), presenting a significant therapeutic challenge.
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are increasingly utilized for obesity management, demonstrating effects beyond glycemic control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of GLP-1RAs, specifically semaglutide and liraglutide, on body composition.
- To examine effects on fat mass, lean body mass (LBM), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and resting energy expenditure (REE).
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trials and meta-analyses.
- Analysis of data from both diabetic and nondiabetic populations.
- Inclusion of rodent data on muscle effects.
Main Results:
- GLP-1RAs lead to significant fat mass reduction, with preferential loss of VAT.
- Modest proportional declines in LBM are observed, with relative preservation or improvement and largely maintained REE.
- GLP-1RAs improve metabolic health without accelerating sarcopenia; withdrawal causes weight regain, primarily as fat mass.
Conclusions:
- GLP-1RAs offer favorable body composition changes, beneficial for obesity and sarcopenic obesity.
- These agents have significant clinical implications for managing metabolic diseases.
- Continued GLP-1RA therapy or lifestyle support is essential to maintain results.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
809
Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which stimulate insulin secretion post-meals. In type 2 diabetes, GIP's efficacy is reduced, making GLP-1 a viable drug target. GIP originates from preproGIP.
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
809
01:23Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
540
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a...
540
01:19Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
496
α-glucosidase inhibitors, including acarbose (Precose), miglitol (Glyset), and voglibose (Voglib) (primarily available in Asia), are drugs that control blood sugar levels by delaying the digestion of starch and disaccharides. They achieve this by inhibiting α-glucosidase enzymes in the intestine, which slow the absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine, which in turn leads to a prolonged release of the glucoregulatory hormone GLP-1 from intestinal L-cells.
Acarbose and miglitol are...
Acarbose and miglitol are...
496
01:06Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
554
Repaglinide (Prandin) and Nateglinide (Starlix), known as glinides, are oral insulin secretagogues that stimulate insulin release from pancreatic β cells by closing the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channel). Repaglinide controls insulin release from pancreatic β cells by managing potassium efflux. It shares two binding sites with sulfonylureas and also has a unique site, indicating overlapping mechanisms of action. With a rapid onset and a 4-7 hour duration, it effectively...
554
01:26Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
554
Biguanides, particularly metformin (Glucophage), are insulin sensitizers that enhance glucose uptake, thereby reducing insulin resistance. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin doesn't prompt insulin secretion, which helps to curb hypoglycemia risk. Metformin is beneficial in treating conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome due to its insulin-resistance reduction capability. The drug's primary action involves curtailing hepatic gluconeogenesis, a significant contributor to high blood...
554
01:09GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
7.2K
Some GPCRs transmit signals through adenylyl cyclase (AC), a transmembrane enzyme. AC helps synthesize second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). AC catalyzes cyclization reaction and converts ATP to cAMP by releasing a pyrophosphate. The pyrophosphate is further hydrolyzed to phosphate by the enzyme pyrophosphatase, which drives cAMP synthesis to completion. However, cAMP is rapidly degraded to 5′ AMP by the enzymes phosphodiesterase (PDE), preventing overstimulation of...
7.2K