The effect of submaximal doses of semaglutide on the expression of micro-RNA in patients with obesity: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) including semaglutide have emerged as some of the most potent drugs in the treatment of obesity. This effect can be mediated by changes in the regulation of micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) expression. However, currently, there are no data regarding the effect of GLP-1RA on the expression of miRNA in patients with obesity.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of semaglutide therapy administered at submaximal doses on changes of miRNA in obese patients.

METHODS

A pilot, prospective, observational, post-marketing study enrolling 31 adult individuals with obesity treated with semaglutide at submaximal doses. Blood samples were taken prior to and after 6 months of semaglutide administration for plasma miRNA levels. All patients received submaximal doses of semaglutide ranging from 0.25 mg to 1.5 mg once weekly.

RESULTS

We observed a nominally significant increase in the expression of hsa-miR-151b (homo sapiens microRNA), hsa-miR-223-3p, hsa-miR-27b-3p, hsa-miR-29c-3p, hsa-miR-4284 and a nominally significant decrease in the expression of hsa-miR-1273f, hsa-miR-4644, hsa-miR-6071 after 6 months of semaglutide treatment. However, none of the associations remained significant after FDR correction.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated a nominally significant change in the expression of 8 miRNAs after the 6-month treatment with submaximal doses of semaglutide in patients with obesity.