Unexpected effects of semaglutide on skeletal muscle mass and force-generating capacity in mice

Takuya Karasawa; Ran Hee Choi; Cesar A Meza; Subhasmita Rout; Micah J Drummond; Amandine Chaix; Katsuhiko Funai

doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2025.07.004

Unexpected effects of semaglutide on skeletal muscle mass and force-generating capacity in mice

Cell Metab. 2025 Aug 5;37(8):1619-1620. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2025.07.004.

Authors

Takuya Karasawa¹, Ran Hee Choi², Cesar A Meza², Subhasmita Rout², Micah J Drummond³, Amandine Chaix⁴, Katsuhiko Funai⁵

Affiliations

¹ Diabetes & Metabolism Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Research Institute for Sport Science, Nippon Sport Science University, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan.
² Diabetes & Metabolism Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
³ Diabetes & Metabolism Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Molecular Medicine Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
⁴ Diabetes & Metabolism Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Molecular Medicine Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
⁵ Diabetes & Metabolism Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Molecular Medicine Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Electronic address: kfunai@utah.edu.

PMID: 40769122
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2025.07.004

Abstract

Loss of lean mass is a potential concern for semaglutide-induced weight loss. This study indicates that semaglutide has unexpected effects on skeletal muscle mass and strength in mice, demonstrating a need to more carefully assess these effects in humans.

Publication types

Letter

MeSH terms

Animals
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
Glucagon-Like Peptides* / pharmacology
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Muscle Strength* / drug effects
Muscle, Skeletal* / drug effects
Muscle, Skeletal* / metabolism
Muscle, Skeletal* / physiology
Semaglutide
Weight Loss / drug effects

Substances

Glucagon-Like Peptides
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
Semaglutide