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Brown Adipose Tissue Activity in Response to Semaglutide Administered to Obese Subjects.
Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles
Summary
Glucagon like peptide (GLP-1) agonists, such as liraglutide, exenatide, and semaglutide, have been increasingly used as a medication to address the current twin epidemics of diabetes and obesity. Their activities include increasing insulin production by pancreatic beta cells, improving insulin sensitivity in muscles and weight loss. The mechanisms underpinning the weight loss caused by GLP-1 agonists have not yet been fully elucidated, but brown adipose tissue (BAT) appears to play an important role. We propose to assess BAT activity, using infrared thermography camera images, before individuals start weekly administration of semaglutide, at week 2-4, and week 18-20. We hypothesize that this GLP-1 agonist, semaglutide, will cause an increase in BAT activity and a corresponding increase in basal metabolic rate.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
20
Start Date
2023-02-01
Completion Date
2026-02-01
Last Updated
2025-05-11
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Semaglutide Injectable Product (not provided by the study)
Study Procedure: Subjects that are to be started on semaglutide by their physician will be invited to participate in the study. If the subject is eligible and signs the consent form they will be enrolled in the study. There are three (3) study visits including Baseline/Visit 1 (prior to starting semaglutide), Visit 2 (at week 2-4) and Visit 3 (at week 18-20). The subjects undergo these tests at each visit: weight circumference measured, BMR testing, thermal imaging of BAT, and perform a 24 hour food recall.
Locations (1)
UCLA Health
Los Angeles, California, United States