Metabolic Effects of a GLP-1 Analog Combined with Aerobic Training in Ovariectomized Rats

Menopause is associated with visceral obesity, low-grade chronic inflammation, and increased risk of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Although exercise (EXE) and GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (SEM), have demonstrated beneficial effects on metabolic regulation, their combined impact in menopause models has been less investigated. In this study, ovariectomized female Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: sedentary plus saline (SED + SAL), sedentary plus semaglutide (SED + SEM), exercise (EXE + SAL), and EXE + SEM. The aerobic exercise protocol consisted of treadmill running at moderate intensity for four weeks, during which the rats received either SEM or SAL weekly. At the end of the protocol, metabolic parameters were assessed in blood, liver, soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. Both SEM groups had lower body weight, weight gain, relative subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT) mass, glucose, total proteins, and triglycerides in serum and liver, while LDL cholesterol, glycogen in liver and gastrocnemius, and AMPK and HSF1 expression in gastrocnemius increased. EXE decreased total and LDL cholesterol, liver triglycerides and HSF1 expression in both tissues, while glycogen in liver and gastrocnemius, liver HSF1 expression and relative mass were increased. The combination of SEM + EXE increased glycogen content in the gastrocnemius and AMPK expression in both gastrocnemius and liver. This combined treatment reduced HDL levels, hepatic triglycerides and scWAT relative weight. These results suggest that SEM and EXE exert complementary effects on glycemic and lipid metabolism, with partially distinct metabolic outcomes that may involve different underlying mechanisms.