![Prof. Elisabet Jerlhag Holm Department of Pharmacology Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology The University of Gothenburg](https://medicalresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Prof.-Elisabet-Jerlhag-Holm.jpeg)
25 Sep Animal Study Finds Weight Loss Drug Reduces Alcohol Intake
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
![Prof. Elisabet Jerlhag HolmDepartment of Pharmacology
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology
The University of Gothenburg](https://medicalresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Prof.-Elisabet-Jerlhag-Holm.jpeg)
Prof. Jerlhag Holm
Prof. Elisabet Jerlhag Holm
Department of Pharmacology
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology
The University of Gothenburg
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a conditioned associated with morbidity, mortality and costs for society. There are today 4 approved medications, but given the heterogeneity of the disease the efficacy of these is limited and new medications are needed. Peptides of the gut-brain axis, such as GLP-1, have been implied as novel treatment targets. We therefore investigated the effect of an agonist for GLP-1, semaglutide, on alcohol drinking in rodents.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?
Response: We found that semaglutide:
- Reduces alcohol drinking in male and female rats by 80&
- Prevents relapse drinking in rats of both sexes
- Attenuates the rewarding properties of alcohol in male rodents
- Acts via a reward-related area, nameluy nucleus accumbens
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: We are currently investigating if semaglutide has similar effects on other addictive drugs, and we expect a positive outcome. Indeed, other GLP-1 receptor agonists precents the rewarding aspects of addictive drugs and reduces drug taking.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a results of this study?
Response: Clinical trials investigating the effect of semaglutide on alcohol intake in overweight Alcohol use disorder patients are now neede
Citation:
Aranäs C, Edvardsson CE, Shevchouk OT, Zhang Q, Witley S, Blid Sköldheden S, Zentveld L, Vallöf D, Tufvesson-Alm M, Jerlhag E. Semaglutide reduces alcohol intake and relapse-like drinking in male and female rats. EBioMedicine. 2023 Jul;93:104642. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104642. Epub 2023 Jun 7. PMID: 37295046; PMCID: PMC10363436.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(23)00207-4/fulltext
The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition.
Some links may be sponsored. Products are not endorsed.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.
Last Updated on September 25, 2023 by Marie Benz