Entre a perda e a preservação: a massa muscular de indivíduos com sobrepeso e obesidade em tratamento com miméticos de incretina

Abstract

Obesity is a multifactorial disease whose incidence and prevalence have been increasing worldwide. In this context, incretin mimetics have emerged as a therapeutic option due to their high efficacy in promoting weight loss. However, the substantial weight reduction induced by these agents has raised concerns about potential adverse effects on skeletal muscle mass, particularly in at-risk populations. With the growing prevalence of obesity and the frequent use of this class of drugs, it is essential to understand the implications of such treatment on skeletal muscle mass and to adopt strategies for its preservation. This study is an integrative literature review conducted using the PubMed and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, with the following search terms: Obesity, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists, Weight Loss, Body Composition, and Muscles, combined using the Boolean operator AND. Inclusion criteria consisted of articles published within the last five years, written in English, designed as literature reviews, focused on the adult population, and relevant to addressing the research question. The analyzed literature indicates that the use of incretin mimetics in the treatment of obesity and overweight is associated with a significant loss of lean body mass, which calls for specific interventions in physical activity and nutrition. Nevertheless, clinical trials are still required to investigate changes in body composition and the specific loss of skeletal muscle mass, in order to assess their clinical relevance.