Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and other drugs, shows promising potential in treating type 1 diabetes, in addition to its well-known role in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity.
A revolution in the treatment of type 1 diabetes: "Ozempic" injections may be the promising solution.
A recent clinical study has revealed that this drug improves blood sugar levels and stimulates weight loss in patients with type 1 diabetes, opening up new possibilities for treatment.
The results of the trial, published in the NEJM Evidence journal, indicate the potential use of semaglutide as an adjunct therapy alongside insulin for better control of type 1 diabetes, a significant advance because the treatments available for this type have so far been limited to insulin only.
Dr. Viral Shah, a researcher at Indiana University, explains that insulin resistance and impaired secretion of digestive hormones are not limited to type 2 diabetes, but sometimes appear in patients with type 1 diabetes as well, which makes it logical to try new drugs such as "semaglutide".
A surprising benefit of slimming injections that goes beyond weight loss
Type 1 diabetes differs fundamentally from type 2; the former is an autoimmune disease that destroys insulin-producing pancreatic cells, while the latter is related to the body's cells resisting insulin and producing insufficient insulin.
Drugs such as semaglutide are used to treat type 2 diabetes by promoting satiety, reducing the secretion of hormones that raise blood sugar, and slowing digestion, but in type 1 diabetes, the primary treatment relies on insulin to compensate for its deficiency.
It turns out that some type 1 patients, especially those who are obese, face the same insulin resistance as type 2 patients, a condition known as "dual diabetes," which causes them similar health complications.
In the study involving 72 patients with type 1 diabetes and obesity, half of the participants received weekly injections of semaglutide, while the other half received a placebo. All patients continued to use insulin and monitor their blood sugar levels.
Participants who took semaglutide showed significant improvement in blood sugar control and weight loss compared to the other group that did not achieve these results.
Experts believe this study strengthens the evidence for the effectiveness of semaglutide in type 1 diabetes, but underscores the need for further research before regulatory approval.
Researchers hope that future studies will lead to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approving this treatment, which could make it the first choice after insulin for patients with type 1 diabetes.
