Semaglutide reduces fat accumulation in the tongue: A randomized single-blind, pilot study. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jensterle, Mojca; Ferjan, Simona; Vovk, Andrej; Battelino, Tadej; Rizzo, Manfredi; Janež, Andrej
• Is Part Of: Diabetes research and clinical practice. Volume 178(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Tongue fat -- Semaglutide -- Glucagon like peptide-1 receptor -- Obesity -- PCOS; Diabetes -- Periodicals; Diabetes Mellitus -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2021.108935
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8227

Abstract

Highlights: Fat accumulation in the tongue may represent an earlier marker of body fat depot. Lingual fat accounts for collapsibility of the tongue and leads to sleep apnea. Semaglutide reduced tongue fat tissue and fat proportion in obese women with PCOS. Abstract: Aim: We evaluated the effect of the latest GLP-1 RA semaglutide on tongue fat storage in obese women. Design. We conducted a randomized single-blind, pilot study. Methods: Twenty-five obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (33.7 ± 5.3 years, body mass index (BMI) 36.1 ± 3.9 kg/m2, mean ± SD) were randomized to semaglutide 1.0 mg or placebo for 16 weeks. We quantified tongue volume and its fat tissue and fat proportion by magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Tongue fat tissue and fat proportion significantly reduced after semaglutide vs placebo (-1.94 ± 5.51 vs. + 3.12 ± 4.87 cm 3, p = 0.022, and −0.02 ± 0.07 vs. 0.04 ± 0.06, p = 0.010, respectively). Correlation analysis revealed that these reductions were associated with those in body weight, BMI and waist circumference (p = 0.010 for all). Conclusions: This is the first study confirming the beneficial effect of semaglutide on tongue structure in obese women with PCOS. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical importance of such findings.