---
title: "New Method Helps Protect Muscles During Weight Loss with GLP-1 Drugs"
description: "Scientists have developed a method to protect muscles during weight loss by combining GLP-1 drugs with a new RNA therapy that halves muscle loss."
date: 2026-09-26T12:04:49.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/new-method-protects-muscles-weight-loss-glp1
tags: [glp-1, weight-loss, semaglutide, muscle-mass, rna-therapy, health]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# New Method Helps Protect Muscles During Weight Loss with GLP-1 Drugs

![GLP-1 drugs and muscle protection during weight loss](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/26/novyy-metod-zashchity-myshts-pri-pohudenii-glp1/novyy-metod-zashchity-myshts-pri-pohudenii-glp1-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- GLP-1 drugs cause muscle mass loss along with fat reduction.
- US researchers proposed combining them with experimental RNA therapy.
- The new method cuts muscle loss almost in half while improving fat burning.
- The technology is currently preparing for clinical testing on human cells.

Science has taken an important step in solving one of the major problems of modern obesity pharmacotherapy — muscle mass loss during the use of next-generation drugs. The introduction of agents such as semaglutide and other GLP-1 analogs has been a major breakthrough for millions, but alongside fat burning, patients face significant muscle wasting, impairing metabolism and leading to rapid weight regain.

### Innovative RNA Therapy Against Muscle Loss

To address this issue, researchers from Northwestern University in Illinois (USA) have developed an experimental method to maintain muscle mass. In a study published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the authors proposed using a short synthetic RNA sequence to activate the body's natural calorie-burning mechanism.

### Mechanism of Action and Experimental Results

 Unlike GLP-1 drugs that act by suppressing appetite to reduce calorie intake, the new RNA therapy increases energy expenditure through thermogenesis. It suppresses the activity of the ZFP423 gene, which acts as a biological brake preventing white fat tissue from turning into calorie-burning beige fat tissue. In mouse tests, combined treatment with semaglutide and RNA therapy limited muscle loss to about 5.5%, compared to nearly 10% in monotherapy.### Prospects and Next Steps

 Dr. Joseph Bass, director of the Center for Diabetes and Metabolism at Northwestern University, emphasizes that improving metabolic health through energy release helps overcome the challenges associated with appetite suppression. The university has already filed a patent application for this therapy and is beginning testing on human cells.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Новый метод помогает защитить мышцы во время похудения с помощью препарата GLP-1.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/phuong-phap-moi-giup-bao-ve-co-bap-khi-giam-can-bang-thuoc-glp-1) - Основной источник статьи с детальным описанием исследования Северо-Западного университета.
- [Препараты для похудения: обратная сторона медали – что происходит с телом на самом деле](https://www.pravda.ru/news/sport/2276348-glp-1-weight-loss/) - Контекстный материал о побочных эффектах препаратов GLP-1 и потере мышечной массы.
- [Семаглутид: мифы о чудесах похудения и реальная угроза для здоровья](https://www.pravda.ru/news/science/2222699-semaglutide-safety-efficacy/) - Контекстный материал о побочных эффектах препаратов GLP-1 и потере мышечной массы.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Why do GLP-1 drugs cause muscle mass loss?
**A:** In addition to burning excess fat by suppressing appetite, the user's body experiences significant muscle depletion, negatively affecting metabolism.

### Q: What is the essence of the new muscle protection method?
**A:** The method involves experimental RNA therapy that suppresses the ZFP423 gene, turning energy-storing white fat into energy-burning beige fat tissue.