Study reveals that GLP-1 therapy increases visceral adipose tissue metabolism, significantly contributing to weight loss in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea. Study: GLP-1 therapy increases visceral adipose tissue metabolic activity: lessons from a randomized controlled trial in obstructive sleep apnea. Image Credit: Lee Charlie / Shutterstock.
com In a recent study published in the journal Obesity , researchers discuss the role of enhanced visceral adipose tissue (VAT) metabolism in mediating weight loss by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs. What is VAT metabolism? The human body resists weight reduction due to complex homeostatic mechanisms. Conventional weight control methods often emphasize the importance of reducing caloric intake through dietary adjustments; however, this strategy has been associated with limited success.
Metabolic dysfunction in VAT is characteristic of obesity. Intermittent hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) involves structural and functional alterations that are similar to those observed in obesity. GLP-1 analogs are common weight-loss medications that reduce energy intake by delaying stomach emptying and increasing satiety.
In vivo experiments in mice have indicated that GLP-1 analogs affect energy balance by increasing VAT metabolism, thermogenesis, and energy expenditures; however, it remains unclear how these medications affect VAT metabolism in humans. In 2022, over 2.5 billion adults worldwide were overweight, with 890 million l.