GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have the potential to negatively impact muscle mass because they can cause substantial weight loss, researchers have said.
Previous studies have revealed that rapid weight loss outcomes can cause serious damage to your muscles.
Researchers are now aiming their focus on how GLP-1 RAs impact the functioning of the muscles.
Andreas Birkenfeld said: “The concept of adaptive muscle adjustment is known from the heart.
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With high blood pressure, the heart muscle has to pump harder, and the heart muscle thickens, meaning that the heart mass increases.
“If the blood pressure is lowered, e.g. with medication, the heart muscle becomes thinner again and the mass decreases because it no longer has to exert as much force.”
Andreas added: “This process is positive for the heart muscle and is characterised as adaptative. It is also known that the muscle mass that a heavy person needs to support him – or herself decreases when the person loses weight, and the muscle no longer has to carry the same weight. This process is also generally considered to be adaptive.”
As part of the trial, the researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to measure muscle volume.
They found that the skeletal muscle alterations in GLP-1 RA treatments are a normal, adaptive process.
People with obesity who lose weight will see improvements in their muscle quality due to less fat being in the muscles, the study has reported.
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According to the results, better muscle quality is linked with a reduced risk of loss of strength and function or even increased strength and function.
Researchers are currently in the process of developing several pharmacological treatments to maintain or improve muscle mass in combination with GLP-1-based therapies.
The authors said: “The introduction of more objective and comprehensive methods to assess muscle health is crucial for the future development of GLP-1 based and other weight loss therapies and for patient-centred treatment optimisation.
“This includes accurate and meaningful assessments of muscle quantity, composition, function, mobility and strength.”
Read more in the journal Circulation.