Innovative GLP1 Injections Show Promise in Alleviating Asthma Symptoms
Recent research conducted by the University of Aberdeen in collaboration with the Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute (OPRI) in Singapore has revealed that GLP1 agonist medications, commonly recognized by their brand names such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, may significantly alleviate asthma symptoms in individuals suffering from obesity.
This fresh insight represents an additional benefit of GLP1 medications, which were initially developed for managing diabetes but have gained widespread use as treatments for obesity.
A comprehensive analysis of medical records from over 60,000 patients was performed by an international research team led by Professor David Price, Chair in Primary Care Respiratory Medicine at the University of Aberdeen. Utilizing the OPCRD database, which encompasses more than 28 million patients, the researchers compared asthma severity indicators between patients prescribed GLP1 medications and those who were not over a one-year timeframe.
The findings indicated that alongside the anticipated weight loss associated with GLP1 use, there were also notable reductions in asthma-related metrics, including prescriptions for steroids and other medications. The results of this study have been published in the journal Advances in Therapy.
GLP1 drugs operate by mimicking the naturally occurring hormone GLP1, which plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels, insulin secretion, and appetite control. Additionally, these medications are believed to lower the number of inflammatory cells through various signaling pathways, potentially explaining their positive impact on respiratory conditions.
According to the study's authors, these results suggest that GLP1 medications could be a viable treatment option for respiratory disorders.
Professor David Price elaborated on the findings, noting that individuals with both obesity and asthma often show resistance to traditional steroid treatments. He emphasized the unique mechanism through which GLP1s modulate inflammatory responses in the airways, contrasting their effects with those of conventional steroids. Interestingly, the benefits observed in asthma symptoms were evident even with modest weight loss, averaging around 0.9 kilograms over the course of the year.
Professor Alan Kaplan, chairperson of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada and a collaborator at OPRI, affirmed that the study's results indicate GLP1 receptor agonists could enhance asthma management in obese patients, contributing valuable information to ongoing discussions regarding the use of these medications.
This research underscores the potential of GLP1 therapies not only in weight management but also in improving respiratory health, particularly for those facing challenges due to obesity-related asthma.