Researchers have discovered that a novel antibody therapy can help prevent the loss of muscle mass and bone density associated with the use of GLP-1 drugs. As individuals age or become less physically active, and with the introduction of new weight loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound, the simultaneous decline in muscle and bone health is a common concern. While treatments for bone loss exist, there is a lack of approved solutions for preventing muscle mass loss.
A recent study in mice indicates that the antibody treatment known as bimagrumab may offer a way to combat both muscle and bone decline concurrently. This suggests that bimagrumab could potentially be used to counteract the effects of GLP-1 drugs or aging on muscle and bone health. Weight loss induced by GLP-1 drugs has been linked to reductions in muscle mass and bone mineral density, mirroring the effects of aging.
Published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia, and Muscle, a new study underscores the effectiveness of bimagrumab in promoting muscle mass and bone density in a mouse model of muscle and bone loss. These findings hint at the potential of bimagrumab not only to preserve muscle mass, as demonstrated in previous research, but also to prevent bone loss in individuals utilizing GLP-1 drugs for weight management.
Lead author of the study, Frederik Duch Bromer from Aarhus University in Denmark, emphasized the importance of combating muscle and bone loss associated with rapid weight reduction facilitated by therapies like Wegovy and Mounjaro. He noted that bimagrumab shows promise in mitigating severe muscle and bone loss brought about by weight loss treatments.
Bromer explained, “As bimagrumab is repurposed to protect lean mass during weight loss, its ability to safeguard bone health as well is particularly significant for the growing number of individuals undergoing such treatments.” Bimagrumab functions by inhibiting the activin signaling pathway, which is key in promoting muscle and bone growth, as well as blood cell production.
As aging often leads to simultaneous muscle and bone deterioration, bimagrumab’s ability to target both areas is of great interest. While treatments for osteoporosis exist, addressing muscle loss remains a challenge. Bimagrumab, by binding to activin receptors and inhibiting their activation, has shown in animal and clinical studies to increase muscle mass and lean body mass. Clinical trials are ongoing to explore its potential in preventing muscle loss in individuals using GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy.
In conclusion, the development of bimagrumab presents a promising avenue for addressing the muscle and bone health concerns associated with certain medications and aging, offering new hope for individuals aiming to maintain their physical well-being.
When we move our muscles, they not only interact with each other but also release myokines, small proteins that play a role in bone health. However, it remains unclear whether bimagrumab can also enhance bone health while increasing muscle mass simultaneously. In a recent study, scientists investigated the potential of bimagrumab to boost bone health and muscle mass together.
Inhibitors of the activin signaling pathway could potentially boost blood cell production and raise the risk of blood clots. Therefore, evaluating the clotting risk associated with bimagrumab is crucial before considering it for preventing muscle and bone loss. The study involved administering two weekly injections over a 21-day period. Researchers tested the impact of bimagrumab on muscle and bone mass in healthy and immobilized mice, with the latter group serving as a model for bone and muscle loss.
To replicate the simultaneous decline in muscle mass and bone density, a group of mice was injected with botulinum toxin in the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles, leading to hindlimb muscle paralysis, immobilization, muscle mass reduction, and bone density decline. Mice in the bimagrumab group, both healthy and immobilized, received two weekly antibody injections over 21 days, while the control groups received vehicle injections. After 21 days, all mice were euthanized, and their right hindlimb muscles and bones were examined.
The study revealed that bimagrumab increased muscle mass, muscle fiber size, and bone mineral density in the hindlimb of both freely moving and immobilized mice. Additionally, bimagrumab stimulated new bone formation, particularly in the femur’s distal end, a common fracture site in older individuals.
Is bimagrumab safe for human use? Researchers noted that the increase in muscle mass and bone mineral density was less pronounced in immobilized mice, likely due to the potent effects of botulinum toxin. Nevertheless, these findings suggest that bimagrumab could potentially aid in boosting muscle mass and bone density in individuals at risk of sarcopenia and osteoporosis.
The study also assessed bimagrumab’s impact on blood cell formation at two and seven days post-antibody injection. Bimagrumab did not affect blood cell formation or related factors, indicating its safety for preserving muscle and bone mass in patients using GLP-1 drugs. However, further research and larger clinical trials are necessary to establish its efficacy and safety.
“While our study focused on a model of muscle and bone loss, it did not specifically address bone loss associated with obesity. Given that weight loss medications are predominantly used by individuals with obesity, exploring how bimagrumab interacts with bones affected by obesity is crucial,” Bromer concluded.
