Nisha Pandey

GLP-1 Drugs Making You Lose Muscle Along With Fat? Scientists Discover Game Changing Weight-Loss Compound To Tackle It

Along with creating new avenues for managing type 2 diabetes and metabolic health, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are also transforming the weight loss game.

Despite its striking benefits in tackling obesity, it poses the risk of significant muscle loss as it works by reducing appetite rather than burning energy. 

To address this issue, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have identified an experimental compound. It could offer a very different approach to weight loss that may not result in excessive muscle loss. 

The compound, called 5-tetradecyloxy-2-furoic acid, or <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uk-approves-eli-lillys-foundayo-is-the-glp-1-pill-better-than-wegovy-mounjaro-article-155531919" data-type="tilCustomLink">TOFA</a>, is not approved as a weight-loss treatment and has so far only been tested in animals. Weight loss is the result of mainly two bodily mechanisms: Taking in fewer calories than the amount burned during a specific period.

Since GLP-1 drugs only focus on the first part, the resultant weight loss also includes loss of lean muscle mass. TOFA is developed to increase the amount of energy burned rather than just supressing appetite.

Anders Näär, professor of metabolic biology and nutrition at UC Berkeley and senior author of the study, explained, "Body weight responds to two levers: taking in fewer calories or spending more energy. <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ozempic-wegovy-vs-zepbound-mounjaro-which-weight-loss-drug-is-more-likely-to-cause-hair-loss-study-finds-article-155779509" data-type="tilCustomLink">GLP-1s</a> work almost entirely on the first, so we went after the second."

When tested on mice, it increased energy use by as much as 18% without making the animals more physically active or raising their body temperature. The mice lost body fat without a significant reduction in lean muscle mass.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/us-fda-approves-eli-lillys-mounjaro-to-reduce-cardiovascular-risk-in-diabetics-article-156004401" data-type="tilCustomLink">US FDA Approves Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro To Reduce Cardiovascular Risk In Diabetics</a>

TOFA belongs to a group of compounds known as ACC inhibitors. It interferes with the production of lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides while also activating cells involved in utilising fat as fuel. 

Researchers found that TOFA activated PPARα and PPARδ, receptors that switch on genes involved in fat uptake and energy expenditure. Justin Y. Lee, the study's first author, said, “TOFA appears to engage a coordinated metabolic response.” 

 He added, “It is not simply blocking lipid synthesis. It is also activating energy expenditure pathways that may help the body handle excess lipid and glucose more effectively.” 

The mice also showed improvements in insulin sensitivity, blood glucose, triglycerides, and signs of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/why-people-living-with-obesity-should-get-their-liver-checked-early-article-156013062" data-type="tilCustomLink">fatty liver disease</a>.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/unapproved-weight-loss-drug-caused-hospitalisations-in-ireland-what-is-retatrutide-why-is-it-risky-article-155988158" data-type="tilCustomLink">Unapproved Weight-Loss Drug Caused Hospitalisations In Ireland: What Is Retatrutide &amp; Why Is It Risky?</a>

<h2>Could TOFA Be Combined With Ozempic Or Mounjaro? </h2>

‘Use GLP-1 Carefully’, Warns Diabetologist Dr V Mohan

The researchers tested TOFA alongside GLP-1 drugs including <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/ideal-time-to-undergo-fertility-treatment-for-women-taking-glp-1-weight-loss-medications-article-155927744" data-type="tilCustomLink">semaglutide and tirzepatide</a>. In mice, the combinations produced greater improvements in body weight, glucose control, insulin levels, and triglycerides than either treatment alone.

Näär said, “TOFA worked additively or synergistically with the GLP-1 appetite-suppressing drugs, so we view it as complementary rather than as a replacement.” 

In other words, researchers are looking to maximise the benefits of the two-pronged approach: One drug could dial your appetite down while another could turn up energy expenditure. 

Despite promising results, we have to take a pause as TOFA is not yet an approved human weight-loss drug, meaning researchers do not yet know whether the compound will produce the same effects, or whether it will be safe, in humans. 

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Along with creating new avenues for managing type 2 diabetes and metabolic health, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are also transforming the weight loss game. Despite its striking benefits in tackling obesity, it poses the risk of significant muscle loss as it works by reducing appetite rather than burning energy. To address this issue, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have identified an experimental compound. It could offer a very different approach to weight loss that may not result in excessive muscle loss. How Was The Study Conducted? The compound, called 5-tetradecyloxy-2-furoic acid, or TOFA, is not approved as a weight-loss treatment and has so far only been tested in animals. Weight loss is the result of mainly two bodily mechanisms: Taking in fewer calories than the amount burned during a specific period. Since GLP-1 drugs only focus on the first part, the resultant weight loss also includes loss of lean muscle mass. TOFA is developed to increase the amount of energy burned rather than just supressing appetite. Anders Näär, professor of metabolic biology and nutrition at UC Berkeley and senior author of the study, explained, "Body weight responds to two levers: taking in fewer calories or spending more energy. GLP-1s work almost entirely on the first, so we went after the second." When tested on mice, it increased energy use by as much as 18% without making the animals more physically active or raising their body temperature. The mice lost body fat without a significant reduction in lean muscle mass.Also read: US FDA Approves Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro To Reduce Cardiovascular Risk In Diabetics How Does TOFA Compound Work?TOFA belongs to a group of compounds known as ACC inhibitors. It interferes with the production of lipids like cholesterol and triglycerides while also activating cells involved in utilising fat as fuel. Researchers found that TOFA activated PPARα and PPARδ, receptors that switch on genes involved in fat uptake and energy expenditure. Justin Y. Lee, the study's first author, said, “TOFA appears to engage a coordinated metabolic response.”  He added, “It is not simply blocking lipid synthesis. It is also activating energy expenditure pathways that may help the body handle excess lipid and glucose more effectively.” The mice also showed improvements in insulin sensitivity, blood glucose, triglycerides, and signs of fatty liver disease.Also read: Unapproved Weight-Loss Drug Caused Hospitalisations In Ireland: What Is Retatrutide & Why Is It Risky? Could TOFA Be Combined With Ozempic Or Mounjaro?          The researchers tested TOFA alongside GLP-1 drugs including semaglutide and tirzepatide. In mice, the combinations produced greater improvements in body weight, glucose control, insulin levels, and triglycerides than either treatment alone. Näär said, “TOFA worked additively or synergistically with the GLP-1 appetite-suppressing drugs, so we view it as complementary rather than as a replacement.” In other words, researchers are looking to maximise the benefits of the two-pronged approach: One drug could dial your appetite down while another could turn up energy expenditure. Despite promising results, we have to take a pause as TOFA is not yet an approved human weight-loss drug, meaning researchers do not yet know whether the compound will produce the same effects, or whether it will be safe, in humans. 

glp-1 drugs making you lose muscle along with fat? scientists discover game changing weight-loss compound to tackle it

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