(HealthDay News) — The cutting-edge weight-loss drug Zepbound can protect obese people from developing type 2 diabetes, a new clinical trial has found.
Zepbound reduced the risk of diabetes in obese prediabetic patients by more than 90 percent during a three-year period compared to placebo, trial results show.
“These results show that type 2 diabetes may be prevented, even in people who are on the verge of it, by using a medicine that causes weight loss,” researcher Dr. Louis Aronne, director of the Comprehensive Weight Control Center at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, said in a news release.
People with prediabetes have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, but have not yet developed full-blown type 2 diabetes. Obesity is a risk factor both for prediabetes and for type 2 diabetes.
For this clinical trial, more than 2,500 obese people were randomly assigned to receive one of three different doses of Zepbound, or a placebo, for more than three years. Of those patients, more than 1,000 had prediabetes.
Zepbound (tirzepatide) in an injectable drug that activates receptors in the body for glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) receptors, researchers said.
These receptors help slow digestion, reduce appetite and improve blood sugar control. GLP-1 drugs have been shown to promote significant weight loss.
In this trial, patients taking Zepbound had lost 12 percent to 20 percent of their initial weight after three years on the drug, with more weight lost at higher doses. By comparison, those on placebo lost a little more than one percent of their weight on average.
The drug also helped patients avoid diabetes. Only one percent of obese prediabetic patients taking Zepbound progressed to type 2 diabetes, compared with 13 percent of patients taking a placebo.
Based on these results, Zepbound could feasibly become the first approved treatment for prediabetes, Aronne said.
“Think about the impact these types of weight-loss drugs can have in preventing not only diabetes but also many other common diabetes-related complications such as heart disease, liver and kidney disease, sleep apnea, arthritis, and more,” Arrone said.
The findings were recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
How does Zepbound work against type 2 diabetes?
Zepbound, a medication containing the active ingredient tirzepatide, works to combat type 2 diabetes through a unique mechanism of action. It targets two key hormones in the body: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP).
How it Works
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Mimicking Natural Hormones:
- GLP-1: This hormone is produced in the intestines and plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. It slows down digestion, reduces appetite, and stimulates insulin production.
- GIP: Another gut hormone, GIP, also helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release and reducing glucagon production.
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Dual Action:
- Zepbound mimics the actions of both GLP-1 and GIP, leading to a more potent effect on blood sugar control.5
- By activating both receptors, it can:
- Improve insulin sensitivity: This means the body’s cells become more responsive to insulin, allowing glucose to be taken up more effectively.
- Reduce appetite: This can lead to weight loss, a significant factor in managing type 2 diabetes.
- Slow down gastric emptying: This can help regulate blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of glucose from food.
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Additional Benefits:
- Heart Health: Zepbound may also have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health by reducing cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Weight Management: By reducing appetite and promoting weight loss, Zepbound can help individuals with type 2 diabetes achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
While Zepbound is a powerful tool in managing type 2 diabetes, it is important to note that it should be used in conjunction with lifestyle modifications. A healthy diet, regular physical activity, and other lifestyle changes are essential for optimal blood sugar control and overall health.
More information
Harvard Medical School has more on GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
SOURCE: Weill Cornell Medicine, news release