Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026
18:48
In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
14.9K
Anti-obesity Pharmacotherapy for Transplant Recipients
Christine E Haugen1, Babak J Orandi2
1Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Current Atherosclerosis Reports
|January 23, 2026
Summary
Anti-obesity medications, including nutrient-stimulated hormones (NuSH) agonists, show promise for transplant recipients. Further research is needed to guide their use and improve long-term survival in this high-risk population.
Area of Science:
- Transplant medicine
- Pharmacology
- Obesity management
Background:
- Obesity is prevalent in liver (up to 40%) and kidney (33%) transplant recipients.
- Post-transplant weight gain is common and linked to poorer outcomes, including reduced allograft survival and increased cardiovascular risk.
- Anti-obesity pharmacotherapy use is limited in transplant populations despite high need.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review anti-obesity pharmacotherapy options for liver and kidney transplant recipients.
- To guide the use of these medications in this specific patient group.
Main Methods:
- Review of current anti-obesity pharmacotherapy options.
- Analysis of existing data on medication use in transplant recipients.
Main Results:
- Nutrient-stimulated hormones (NuSH) medications, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists, are effective for obesity and cardiovascular risk reduction in the general population.
- These agents are of interest for managing obesity in transplant recipients.
- Limited data exists on their efficacy and safety in liver and kidney transplant recipients.
Conclusions:
- Anti-obesity medications, particularly NuSH agonists, may offer benefits for transplant recipients.
- Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is crucial.
- Integrating obesity medication expertise into routine transplant care is essential for improving long-term graft and patient survival.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
480
Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation.
480
01:15Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
883
The therapy for diabetes aims to alleviate hyperglycemia-related symptoms, prevent acute metabolic decompensation, and reduce chronic end-organ complications. Glycemic control is evaluated through short-term (self-monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring) and long-term (A1c, fructosamine) metrics, enabling near real-time tracking of blood glucose levels and reflecting glycemic control over specific time frames.
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
883
01:24Obesity
1.2K
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.2K
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
238
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
238
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
260
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
260
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
175
Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
175