Semaglutide, known commercially as Wegovy, is making waves beyond its approved use for weight management. Emerging research indicates the drug may offer therapeutic benefits for a range of conditions, including osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, chronic kidney disease, addictions, heart disease, and lung disorders.
Osteoarthritis Relief
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that semaglutide significantly reduced pain and improved mobility in obese individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Participants receiving semaglutide reported a substantial decrease in pain, from 71 to 42 points on a standard pain scale, compared to a placebo group. This improvement is likely due to the rapid weight loss and anti-inflammatory properties of semaglutide.
Fatty Liver Disease
Semaglutide has demonstrated promising results in reducing liver fat, with initial clinical trial data showing a 31% reduction. In one study, fatty liver was completely resolved in a third of patients after 24 weeks. Ongoing studies are investigating semaglutide's potential to reverse more severe forms of fatty liver disease involving liver scarring.
Neuroprotective Effects
Research suggests semaglutide may have beneficial effects on Parkinson's disease. A French study using a similar drug (GLP-1 receptor agonist) found that motor skills in early-stage Parkinson's patients showed almost no worsening compared to those on a placebo. Semaglutide has also shown potential in reducing tau and amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's models, with a meta-analysis indicating a 40-70% lower risk of Alzheimer's diagnosis in type 2 diabetes patients on semaglutide over three years.
Kidney and Cardiovascular Benefits
Two randomized clinical trials showed that semaglutide reduced a biomarker of kidney damage (microalbumin) and lowered the risk of kidney failure (24%) and death (20%) over a three-to-five-year period. In cardiovascular health, semaglutide has been shown to lower cardiovascular risk by 14% in people with diabetes. A clinical study demonstrated that semaglutide reduced rates of heart attack and stroke in obese or overweight patients with existing cardiovascular disease but without diabetes. The FDA has approved semaglutide to help prevent life-threatening cardiovascular events in this population.
Addiction Management and Lung Disorders
Semaglutide's influence on the GLP-1 system, involved in addiction neurobiology, suggests potential in treating alcohol use disorder. Preliminary data indicate greater reductions in drinking quantity and heavy drinking in individuals with alcohol use disorder treated with semaglutide. Furthermore, studies in mouse models of acute lung injury showed that semaglutide reduced lung swelling, inflammation, white blood cell infiltration, and cell death. A review of 28 clinical studies indicated an 18% reduction in the development of respiratory diseases with semaglutide treatment.
