Semaglutide-induced weight loss improves mitochondrial energy efficiency in skeletal muscle.

OBJECTIVE: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (e.g. semaglutide) potently induce weight loss and thereby reducing obesity-related complications. However, weight regain occurs when treatment is discontinued. An increase in skeletal muscle oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) efficiency upon diet-mediated weight loss has been described, which may contribute to reduced systemic energy expenditure and weight regain. We set out to determine the unknown effect of semaglutide on muscle OXPHOS efficiency. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks before receiving semaglutide or vehicle for 1 or 3 weeks. The rate of ATP production and O consumption were measured by a high-resolution respirometry and fluorometry to determine OXPHOS efficiency in skeletal muscle at these 2 timepoints. RESULTS: Semaglutide treatment led to significant reductions in fat and lean mass. Semaglutide improved skeletal muscle OXPHOS efficiency, measured as ATP produced per O consumed (P/O) in permeabilized muscle fibers. Mitochondrial proteomic analysis revealed changes restricted to two proteins linked to complex III assembly (Lyrm7 and Ttc1, p <0.05 without multiple corrections) without substantial changes in the abundance of OXPHOS subunits. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that weight loss with semaglutide treatment increases skeletal muscle mitochondrial efficiency. Future studies could test whether it contributes to weight regain.