Effect of Semaglutide on Body Weight, Blood Lipid Profile, and Adipokine Status in Obese Patients

Aim        To evaluate the dynamic impact of an 8-month glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) therapy with semaglutide on anthropometric metrics, blood lipid profiles, and adipokine status in obese patients, with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Material and methods    The study included 65 patients with obesity, 26 of whom had T2DM. All participants were prescribed semaglutide, with dose titration up to 1 mg once weekly over 8 months. Before and after the treatment period, the following variables were assessed: anthropometric data (body weight, body weight index, waist circumference), biochemical parameters (lipid profile, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine), and adipokine concentrations (leptin, adiponectin, resistin) via immunofluorescence assay.

Results  Semaglutide therapy was associated with a statistically significant reduction in body weight (p<0.001), body mass index (p<0.001), and waist circumference (p<0.001). Improvements in the lipid profile were observed over time, including decreased concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p=0.001), triglycerides (p<0.001), and total cholesterol (p=0.001), alongside an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.01). Therapy significantly impacted adipokine status: a statistically significant increase in anti-atherogenic adiponectin (p<0.001) and a decrease in leptin levels (p<0.001) were recorded, indicating improved adipose tissue metabolic function. However, no significant changes in resistin concentrations were found. Additionally, positive effects on liver and kidney function markers were noted, manifested by reductions in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity, as well as creatinine levels. In the subgroup of patients with T2DM, a statistically significant improvement in glycemic control was observed.

Conclusion         Semaglutide therapy for 8 months in obese patients yielded a robust cardiometabolic impact, characterized by significant weight reduction, optimized lipid profiles, and improved liver and kidney function markers, alongside a favorable restructuring of adipokine status. These results support the use of GLP-1 RAs not only for glycemic and weight control but also as a multifaceted cardioprotective therapy for obese patients.

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