Hungary: Researchers have found in a new study that once-weeklysemaglutidesignificantly reduces weight andHbA1cwhile favorably modifying atherogenic lipoprotein subfractions intype 2 diabetespatients. After 52 weeks, semaglutide lowered LDL and non-HDLcholesterol, reduced small dense LDL, and increased large, cardioprotective HDL particles. In contrast, sitagliptin showed only modest glycemic and weight-lowering benefits with minimal impact on lipid or inflammatory markers. The findings, published in theInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences,are the result of a 52-week randomized clinical trial led by László Imre Tóth and colleagues from the Division of Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary. The study compared the effects of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), with sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 34 obese adults with T2DM were enrolled and randomized to receive either once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide (n=18) or once-daily oral sitagliptin (n=16). An additional 31 age- and weight-matched non-diabetic individuals were included as controls. The study primarily assessed changes in glycemic control, anthropometric measurements, and detailed lipoprotein subfractions using Lipoprint gel electrophoresis. The study revealed the following findings: The authors emphasize that semaglutide may play a critical role in managing not just glycemic control, but also broader cardiometabolic risks associated with type 2 diabetes. By promoting a healthier lipid profile, it may contribute to lowering cardiovascular disease risk in this population. "These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of semaglutide in addressing multiple facets of T2DM and support further research into its long-term cardiovascular benefits across diverse patient populations," the authors concluded. Tóth, L. I., Harsányi, A., Csiha, S., Molnár, Á., Lőrincz, H., Nagy, A. C., Paragh, G., Harangi, M., & Sztanek, F. (2024). Semaglutide Improves Lipid Subfraction Profiles in Type 2 Diabetes: Insights from a One-Year Follow-Up Study. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(13), 5951. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26135951