Semaglutide is a synthetic glucagon-like peptide-1 analog (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a naturally occurring peptide hormone, usually 30 to 31 amino acids long, which derives from the tissue-specific proglucagon peptide processing. What makes this peptide hormone interesting is its incretin nature, meaning it has the ability to decrease blood sugar level, enhance the secretion of insulin, and even delays gastric emptying. For these reasons, GLP-1 receptor agonists gained approval as a drug intended to treat diabetes and obesity in the early 2000s.

Semaglutide, being a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is suspected to have similar effect and, for this reason, most researchers see it as a peptide of high interest. Since its discovery, there have been numerous studies trying to gauge its potential in:

• Promoting glucose-dependent insulin release, by binding to the GLP-1 receptors
• Glucagon suppression and hepatic glucose synthesis
• Improving proinsulin-to-insulin ratio
• Gastric emptying emptying, resulting in better hunger-regulation management

Semaglutide in Appetite Studies

What makes semaglutide remarkable is that it shares an astounding 94% structural homology with human GLP-1. Naturally, researchers set out to determine the effects of semaglutide in numerous studies. 

The important thing to note here is that semaglutide is only an FDA-approved way of obesity treatment in the form of three following medications - Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus; meaning that semaglutide synthetic peptide on its own, is still only to be used in laboratory setting as a part of a research study (the intended use Peptide.Shop is currently selling it).

Like we said, there are numerous semaglutide studies we’ve covered over the years, so we’ll mention a few. The first one was done in 2018, across 304 participants in total. Subjects were, of course, split into two groups - semaglutide one (where participants were assigned 2.4mg of semaglutide on a weekly basis), and the placebo (used as a test group). Once the study was over, the results showed that the semaglutide group lost 15.2% body weight on average, while the placebo one only lost 2.6%.

Another similar double-blind trial enrolling 1961 individuals with a body mass index of 30 or greater also showed the incredible potency of semaglutide. After 68 weeks, the results showed that in the semaglutide group, participants lost 33.7lbs (15.3kg), while those receiving a placebo only lost 5.7lbs (2.6kg); keep in mind that both groups altered their lifestyle in addition to receiving treatment (semaglutide or placebo).

These were just some of many such studies done on obese human studies (in addition to those done with animal test subjects). All of them unanimously showed how potent semaglutide is and why it’s such a popular synthetic peptide today. Of course, we need to make sure that only three brands mentioned - Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus are FDA-approved means of obesity treatment, while semaglutide peptide should only be used for lab research.

Semaglutide in Neurological and Cognitive Studies

Semaglutide’s weight loss potential has been thoroughly studied and well-known, but one of the most recent studies suggest it may have an application in cognitive disorders in the context of neurological or cognitive impairment. 

Earlier research suggests it may offer neuroprotective effects,  positive impact on the olfactory function in obese individuals (with type 2 diabetes), neurodegenerative disorders, as well as obesity-associated inflammation.

Back to the study at hand. It was done in rodent models, so it was an animal test subject study, and it showed a positive impact on seizures, neuronal damage repair, and even improved cognitive function. These early findings make semaglutide a potentially promising synthetic compound in stroke management, protection against brain dysfunction and even in the prevention of obesity-induced cognitive impairment.

As mentioned, these are the findings from one of the most recent studies; also, the study done exclusively on animal models. And, even though we’ve seen some promising results, there is still a long way to go before we start testing these claims in humans and yet a longer way to go before approving semaglutide as a way of treating and addressing neurological disorders. But the initial promising findings will keep researchers excited and push them to new discoveries.

Semaglutide in Pancreatic Beta Cell Activation and Protection Studies

It’s a well-known fact that type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease that destroys pancreatic beta-cells. And, up until recently it was believed this destruction was irreversible, but recent evidence suggests beta-cell regeneration is possible. As the autoimmune disease progresses, it continues to destroy the beta-cell mass, but a hypothesis was made that blocking autoimmune cytokine damage and simultaneously supplying a growth-promoting stimulus for beta-cells would provide a novel approach to reverse T1DM.

Though we still need more research to connect semaglutide and its effect on pancreatic beta-cell regeneration, promising animal models are giving us hope.

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Kommu S, Whitfield P. Semaglutide. [Updated 2024 Feb 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: 

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2021.721135/full

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