LEAN Mass Preservation With Resistance Exercise and Protein During Semaglutide/Tirzepatide Therapy

LEAN Mass Preservation With Resistance Exercise and Protein During Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Therapy (LEAN-PREP Study)

The aim of the current study is to determine whether resistance exercise and/or protein intake can preserve lean mass and improve physical function in patients with obesity initiating semaglutide/tirzepatide therapy. To achieve this aim the study will have the following objectives.

In people with obesity initiating semaglutide/tirzepatide therapy

1. Form a PPI group to refine the study protocol and establish study materials,
2. Quantify the effects of a pragmatic resistance exercise intervention and/or increasing protein intake on lean mass and physical function during semaglutide/tirzepatide induced weight loss,
3. Establish whether the resistance exercise intervention and/or increasing protein intake has concomitant benefits on glycaemic control, lipids, liver function, quality of life, physical activity and sleep during semaglutide/tirzepatide induced weight loss.

The participants will:

Begin their weight loss medication, starting at a low dose and then increasing the dose to maximize weight loss. They will be randomly assigned by a computer to ONE of the following groups and will be followed up to 6-months:

• Control group
• Protein intake group
• Muscle strengthening exercise group
• Muscle strengthening exercise AND protein intake group.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age >/= 18 years
• BMI >/= 27 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently or in the past 6 months participating in any vigorous aerobic activity (>1h per week) or any resistance exercise.
• BP of 160/100mmHg or higher
• Any known medical condition that prevents participants from exercising safely
• A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• History of chronic or acute pancreatitis
• History of proliferative diabetic retinopathy or diabetic maculopathy
• History of ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar state/coma
• History of severe hypoglycaemia and/or hypoglycaemia unawareness within last 6 months
• Clinically significant gastric emptying abnormality or have undergone or plan to undergo gastric bypass or restrictive bariatric surgery or chronically taking drugs that directly affect GI motility
• Any of the following CV conditions in last 2 months: acute MI, stroke or hospitilisation due to CHF
• History of NYHA IV CHF
• Acute or chronic hepatitits, signs and symptoms of any liver disease other than NAFLD, ALT > 3 times the upper limit of normal
• eGFR <45mL/min/1.73m2
• Significant uncontrolled endocrine abnormaility in the opinion of clinical investigator
• Evidence of active autoimmune abnormality that is likely to requite systemic glucocorticoid treatment in the next 12 months
• Had or waiting for an organ transplant
• History of an active or untreated malignancy or in remission from a clinically significant malignancy for less than 5 years
• Any other aspect of history or condition that may limit the ability of the patient to complete the study
• Having been treated with prescription drugs that promote weight loss in the last 3 months
• Receiving chronic systemic glucocorticoid therapy within last month