RNA therapy may preserve muscle during semaglutide weight loss

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed an experimental RNA therapy that may address a major side effect of GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide: the loss of lean muscle mass during weight loss.

In animal studies, the therapy works by silencing the ZFP423 gene, which acts as a metabolic brake. This process encourages white fat cells to convert into beige fat, which burns calories through heat-generating thermogenesis. When combined with semaglutide, the dual treatment amplified weight and fat loss while significantly preserving lean muscle mass.

The research, led by Dr. Joseph Bass at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, aims to improve the metabolic outcomes of obesity treatments, as patients using current GLP-1 medications often lose muscle alongside fat.