Bones and Semaglutide Study (BoSS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on musculoskeletal health in adolescents living with obesity
IRAS ID
349818
Contact name
Rebecca J Moon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
A new group of medicines is helping young people living with obesity to lose weight. These are called glucagon- like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA). This is fantastic. Obesity increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cancer. Weight loss will reduce the risk of these outcomes.
However, sometimes rapid weight loss affects the strength of a person's bones and muscles. But, researchers showed that this particular group of medicines improves the bones of animals. Scientists have not yet looked at whether these medicines affect children's bones.
During puberty and until around the age of 25 years, bones rapidly gain mineral (calcium). This is very important for bone strength and to prevent broken bones. It is important we understand how these medicines are affecting young people's bones. This will ensure that doctors can give appropriate advice to protect the bones.
We will ask young people aged 12-18 years who are living with obesity to take part in a study. Half the young people will have had treatment with these medicines and half will not. We will take detailed body and bone scans and assess their muscle strength. We will compare the amount of bone, fat and muscle between the two groups. This will provide new scientific knowledge on the action of these drugs.
This work is being funded by the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SC/0402
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion