RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Impact of Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy®) on Heart and Muscle Mass

This study aims to understand how a common medication, semaglutide (known as Ozempic or Wegovy®), impacts your body's muscles and heart. Over 12 months, researchers will use advanced MRI scans to get detailed pictures of changes in muscle and body fat. They also want to see how semaglutide affects your strength and physical abilities through simple tests like walking and handgrip. The main goal is to find out if this medication supports long-term health, particularly for people with type 2 diabetes or obesity who might be at risk of muscle loss. By gathering this information, the study hopes to ensure that semaglutide helps keep people healthy and active.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Alberta

Enrolment target

Start

14 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

30 Apr 2028

Type 2 Diabetes Obesity Semaglutide GLP-1 Diabetes

What is this study about?

This research wants to find out more about how a medicine called semaglutide, often known as Ozempic or Wegovy®, affects your body. Specifically, the study is interested in your heart and muscles. Semaglutide is commonly used for managing type 2 diabetes and helping with weight loss. As people lose weight, sometimes they can lose muscle too, which isn't ideal for long-term health.

To understand this better, the study will use special scans called MRIs. These scans give very clear pictures of your muscles and the fat in your body, including around your heart. Researchers will monitor these changes over a year to see what happens when someone starts taking semaglutide. They also want to understand if the medicine helps protect your muscles and keeps you strong.

The main reason for doing this study is to make sure that treatments like semaglutide support your overall health and well-being in the long run. By learning more about its effects on muscles, doctors can better advise patients and ensure they stay healthy and active.

Key takeaways

This study explores how semaglutide impacts your heart and muscles.
It uses advanced MRI scans and physical tests over 12 months.
Aims to understand if the medicine supports long-term muscle health.
You'll have three in-person visits, involving scans, blood tests, and questionnaires.
Open to adults starting semaglutide for diabetes or weight loss.
Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw anytime.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to join this study if you are an adult between 18 and 80 years old, and you are just starting to take semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy®) either for type 2 diabetes or for weight loss. It's important that you can safely have an MRI scan, which means you shouldn't have certain metal implants or severe claustrophobia.

However, you won't be able to join if you've already been taking semaglutide for more than two weeks. You also can't take part if you've recently had major heart problems or other serious health issues. If you have a pacemaker, certain metal implants, or severe claustrophobia that prevents you from having an MRI, you won't be suitable.

Finally, if you need a walking aid and can't do some simple exercises during the MRI, this study might not be right for you. The study needs participants who can move around for certain tests.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Are you just starting semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy®) for diabetes or weight loss?
Can you safely have an MRI scan (no pacemakers, certain metal implants, or severe claustrophobia)?
Have you NOT been taking semaglutide for more than two weeks already?
Do you NOT have major recent heart or severe health problems?
Can you move about for physical tests without needing a walking aid?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will need to visit the study clinic three times over a 12-month period. At each visit, you will have several assessments. This includes having special MRI scans of your heart, tummy, and legs while you're resting and sometimes during gentle exercise.

You'll also do some simple physical tests to check your balance, how easily you can stand up from sitting, your walking speed, and your grip strength. You'll fill out some questionnaires about your health, lifestyle, and what you eat. A small blood sample will be taken from your arm, and you'll have three tiny finger-prick blood tests. You will also be asked to record what you eat for three days at a time. The total duration of your participation will be 12 months.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in research studies like this can sometimes offer benefits, such as closely monitoring your health and gaining a deeper understanding of your body's response to treatment. While the planned tests, like MRI scans and blood tests, are generally considered safe, there are minor risks, such as temporary discomfort from blood draws or the enclosed feeling during an MRI. You are free to ask questions about these at any time. It's important to remember that joining is entirely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any point, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute
Verified postcode
Edmonton, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medicine commonly known as Ozempic or Wegovy®. It's used to help manage type 2 diabetes and can also help with weight loss.

What is an MRI scan?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a special scan that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of organs and structures inside your body, like your heart and muscles.

Will I get results from my scans or tests?

The study aims to understand general trends in a group of people, rather than giving individual results. You can discuss with the study team if any unusual findings will be shared with you or your doctor.

Do I have to pay for anything if I join?

Normally, you won't have to pay for any tests or visits related to the study. Any travel costs might also be covered, but you should confirm this with the study team.

Will my regular doctor know I'm in the study?

It's a good idea to inform your regular doctor that you are thinking about joining a study. The study team can also get your permission to share relevant information with your doctor.

How to find out more

Krista Jong, RD, BSc

glimmer@ualberta.ca 780-492-9010 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.