Monday, August 4, 2025
The Latest Medical News
A Summary of The Latest Medical News: A new oral drug shows promise for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity without causing muscle loss, offering a potential alternative to existing GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy[4].
Swedish researchers at the Karolinska Institute and Stockholm University have developed this medication. Unlike GLP-1 drugs, which influence appetite and may cause undesirable side effects like reduced muscle mass and gastrointestinal issues, the new drug works by activating metabolism directly in skeletal muscle tissue[3][4].
The drug is taken as a tablet. This is a notable shift from established GLP-1 treatments, which are typically administered via injection and act through signals between the gut and brain[4].
Preserving muscle mass during weight loss is clinically significant. Muscle loss can slow metabolism, weaken strength, and increase the risk of conditions like osteoporosis, especially in older adults. Because this new medication targets muscle metabolism, early results suggest it helps maintain muscle mass, even as fat is lost[3][4].
In phase 1 clinical trials, the drug was found to be well-tolerated in both healthy participants and people with type 2 diabetes[3]. Animal studies also indicated improvements in blood sugar control and body composition, again without the muscle-related side effects seen with GLP-1 drugs[3].
Researcher Tore Bengtsson, a professor involved in the study, emphasized the advantage: "Our results point to a future where we can improve metabolic health without losing muscle mass. Muscles are important in both type 2 diabetes and obesity, and muscle mass is also directly correlated with life expectancy"[3].
While further research is required, these initial findings could be the basis for safer, more targeted treatments for diabetes and obesity, without the drawback of muscle loss seen in current therapies[4][3].
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