Recent studies have found that GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide can effectively reduce subcutaneous and visceral fat
Through CT scanning, the research team used AI automated analysis tools to observe changes in the composition of patients’ bodies before and after treatment with semaglutide. This retrospective study included adult patients who received treatment with semaglutide since 2016. They underwent pelvic CT scans within 5 years before and after treatment.
Previous studies on GLP-1 drugs have mostly focused on clinical anthropometric data such as body weight, waist circumference, and BMI index. Now these results have not revealed potential important tissue-specific changes. CT can accurately evaluate these changes.
After treatment with semaglutide, the changes in body composition are beneficial and contribute to the metabolic health of the heart
The research team analyzed abdominal CT scans of 241 patients taking semaglutide. They had imaging records for 5 years before and after medication. The research team used AI body composition tools. It quantify measurements of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) area, skeletal muscle area and attenuation, intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) area, liver volume and attenuation, and trabecular bone mineral density (BMD). Meanwhile, researchers compared the relationship between these measurements and changes in patient weight.
In the weight loss group, taking semaglutide resulted in a decrease in VAT area, subcutaneous adipose tissue area, muscle area, and liver volume, as well as an increase in liver density. On the contrary, the VAT area, SAT area, and IMAT area of the weight gain group increased. While muscle density decreased. The research results indicate that semaglutide has a significant weight loss effect. It not only reflected in its appearance, but also in a significant decrease in the body’s internal fat content. Researchers emphasize that understanding potential changes in body composition is crucial as it can serve as a biomarker for cardiovascular metabolic diseases, heart failure, and mortality risk. This study further confirms that all changes in body fat composition after treatment with semaglutide are beneficial and contribute to cardiac metabolic health.
