A recent study found that a person's genetic makeup may determine how they respond to weight-loss injections, not only how much weight they lose, but also whether they will experience nausea or vomiting as side effects.
Researchers have identified specific gene mutations that help predict the degree of weight loss and the likelihood of experiencing side effects, which may explain why some people lose weight faster than others while others are more affected by complications.
These findings, published in the journal Nature, open the door to what is known as precision medicine, where doctors could in the future tailor weight loss treatment according to each patient's genetic profile.
The study relied on data from nearly 28,000 people registered on the 23andMe gene website, who themselves reported their use of drugs such as "Wegovi" and "Mongaro".
By analyzing genetic data, the team found that variations in two genes linked to gut hormones responsible for regulating appetite and digestion affect how these injections work.
One of these genetic variations was associated with a slight decrease in body mass index, while another was associated with the onset of nausea and vomiting without affecting the amount of weight lost.
Researchers from the 23andMe center and the University of Copenhagen confirm that these genetic differences explain part of the variation in weight loss, but there are also non-genetic factors such as age, gender, and type of treatment.
Although the genetic influence was described as "modest," it represents an important step towards a better understanding of the variation in response to treatment.
Dr. Mary Sperkley from Cambridge University notes that behavioral and clinical factors such as dosage and duration of treatment are still more influential than genetics, and emphasizes that current evidence does not yet support the routine use of genetic information to guide treatment decisions in clinics.
