At the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) annual meeting in Madrid, Spain (September 9–13), new research revealed that semaglutide and tirzepatide treatments result in substantial weight loss and improved blood sugar regulation in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who are overweight or obese.
These drugs, relatively new to the market, are currently approved for treating type 2 diabetes and aiding in weight loss.
In type 2 diabetes, they help the body increase insulin production when needed, lower glucose production by the liver, and slow food digestion, all of which contribute to better blood sugar control.
Although semaglutide and tirzepatide are not yet approved for treating type 1 diabetes (T1D), they are increasingly prescribed for patients with T1D, particularly those who are overweight or obese.
“Some mechanisms by which semaglutide and tirzepatide lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes likely apply to type 1 diabetes as well,” explains study leader Dr. Janet Snell-Bergeon from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
Study Shows Semaglutide & Tirzepatide Enhance Blood Sugar Control & Support Weight Loss In Type 1 Diabetes
Dr. Snell-Bergeon adds, “A growing number of adults with type 1 diabetes are also affected by overweight or obesity, conditions that can cause insulin resistance, making it harder to control blood sugar. As a result, these drugs may be especially helpful for these patients.”
Participants in the study were matched using computer algorithms based on several factors: age, sex, duration of diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c, which indicates blood sugar control).
They were compared with 50 control participants with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who were not prescribed weight loss medication.
Data were collected at the beginning of the study, before starting any weight loss medication, and followed up for up to one year. The average age was similar in both groups (40 vs. 41 years), with a similar proportion of females (71% vs. 72%).
The duration of diabetes (26 vs. 27 years), BMI (34 vs. 34 kg/m²), and HbA1c levels (7.3% vs. 7.3%) were also comparable between those receiving the medication and the control group.
What Research Says?
All participants in the study were using insulin to manage their diabetes. 75% of those receiving weight loss medication used insulin pumps, while 80% of the control group did the same. The remaining participants in both groups used multiple daily insulin injections.
The study results indicate that participants taking semaglutide and tirzepatide experienced significantly greater weight loss compared to the controls. Nearly all individuals treated with these medications lost at least 5% of their body weight: 77% of those on semaglutide and 93% of those on tirzepatide achieved this loss, in contrast to only 14% of the controls.
Moreover, 47% of semaglutide users and 87% of tirzepatide users lost at least 10% of their body weight, whereas none of the controls achieved this level of weight loss. Tirzepatide users lost more than twice the amount of weight compared to those using semaglutide
Participants taking semaglutide lost an average of 9.1% of their body weight over 12 months, which corresponds to 19.2 pounds (8.7 kg). Their average body mass index (BMI) decreased by 3 kg/m² over the same period.
Tirzepatide Effect In Controlling Blood Sugar
Those taking tirzepatide experienced a more significant weight loss of 21.4% on average after 12 months, equivalent to 49.4 pounds (22.4 kg). Their average BMI decreased by 7.5 kg/m².
Dr. Snell-Bergeon notes that such substantial weight loss, as observed in this study and others, is likely to reduce risks associated with obesity, including heart disease and insulin resistance.
In contrast, the control group experienced a slight weight gain of 0.4% on average over 12 months. Glycemic control improved similarly in participants taking the medications.
There was no difference in weight loss outcomes between those using insulin pumps and those using multiple daily insulin injections. However, participants in the tirzepatide group were able to reduce their insulin dosage. When adjusting for body weight, their daily insulin dose decreased by 0.13 units/kg/day, representing an 18% reduction after 12 months.
Dr. Snell-Bergeon adds that this reduction in insulin dosage indicates improved insulin resistance. Notably, there were no reported hospitalizations due to severe hypoglycemia or ketosis during the study.
The researchers conclude that both semaglutide and tirzepatide have led to significant weight loss and improved blood sugar control in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), including those using automated insulin delivery systems.
Dr. Snell-Bergeon notes, “An increasing number of people with type 1 diabetes are struggling with obesity, partly due to the weight gain associated with intensive insulin therapy required to manage blood sugar levels.”
She continues, “Semaglutide and tirzepatide can induce substantial weight loss in these patients and enhance their blood sugar control, potentially lowering their risk of obesity-related complications such as heart disease and issues affecting the eyes, nerves, and kidneys.”
Dr. Snell-Bergeon suggests that “these medications could become a valuable complement to insulin in treating type 1 diabetes. However, larger and more extensive trials are necessary to fully assess their safety and effectiveness in individuals with type 1 diabetes who are also dealing with overweight and obesity.”
Citation: Study Finds Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Improve Blood Sugar Control and Weight Loss in Type 1 Diabetes
Date: September 12, 2024
Retrieved On: September 12, 2024
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-semaglutide-tirzepatide-blood-sugar-weight.html
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