Researchers Identify Specific Brain Cells Linked to Benefits of Weight Loss Drug Semaglutide
New Delhi: A recent study by Swedish researchers has pinpointed the specific nerve cells responsible for activating weight loss drug semaglutide, offering new hope for improving treatment outcomes while reducing side effects.
The study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, was conducted at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and involved tracking how semaglutide affects brain cell activity. Researchers found that the nerve cells located in an area called the dorsal vagal complex play a crucial role in regulating appetite and fat loss.
When treated with semaglutide, these specific cells are activated, leading to reduced food intake and weight loss, mirroring the effects observed in mice receiving a direct dose of the medication. However, when the researchers disabled or "killed" these cells, the drug's positive effect on appetite and weight loss diminished significantly.
Interestingly, side effects such as nausea and muscle loss remained unchanged even after disabling the nerve cells responsible for beneficial effects. This suggests that these cells control the advantageous outcomes of semaglutide treatment but do not have a significant role in causing adverse side effects.
According to Júlia Teixidor-Deulofeu, first author of the study and Ph.D. student at Sahlgrenska Academy, targeting this specific group of nerve cells could lead to improved treatment outcomes while minimizing side effects.
"This finding is an exciting early step toward potentially developing more effective treatments for obesity and related conditions," said Dr. Teixidor-Deulofeu, adding that the study provides valuable new insights into how semaglutide works in the brain and sheds light on an area of brain function previously poorly understood – the regulation of our energy balance.
With this breakthrough, scientists hope to harness the full potential of semaglutide while mitigating its unwanted side effects, paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches to combat one of the world's most pressing health concerns.