After weight loss, a year of exercise increased late-phase postprandial secretion, whereas liraglutide treatment did not change this endogenous response.
Evidence
An exploratory randomized analysis of 195 adults with obesity who lost 13.1 kg found that 52 weeks of moderate-to-vigorous exercise increased late-phase GLP-1 response by 37% within group and by 25% versus usual activity, while GLP-1 receptor agonist groups showed no change versus placebo.
Caveat
Because this was an exploratory analysis using a hormonal mixed-meal endpoint rather than direct appetite or weight-regain outcomes, it suggests a mechanism more than proving clinical benefit.
Simplified
OBJECTIVE: Incretin-based obesity medication maintains weight loss by mimicking the appetite-inhibiting hormone . Interestingly, chronic exercise may improve postprandial appetite control by increasing late postprandial secretion of endogenous GLP-1. Therefore, we investigated whether an exercise program after weight loss could increase late-phase postprandial GLP-1 secretion.
METHODS: This study is an exploratory analysis of adults with obesity (n = 195) who lost 13.1 kg on a low-calorie diet and were randomized to 52 weeks of either usual activity, moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise, the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide (3.0 mg/day), or the combination. The primary endpoint was change in late-phase GLP-1 response to a 3-h liquid mixed meal test before and after diet-induced weight loss and after 1 year of intervention.
RESULTS: Diet-induced weight loss did not change late-phase GLP-1 response (3%; 95% CI, -4%-10%). One year of exercise increased late-phase postprandial GLP-1 response within the group by 37% (95% CI, 20%-57%), and this increase was 25% greater (95% CI, 3%-51%, p = 0.02) compared to the usual activity group. Late-phase postprandial GLP-1 response was unchanged in both groups treated with GLP-1 receptor agonist compared to placebo.
CONCLUSIONS: One year of exercise increased late-phase postprandial GLP-1 response, which may prevent increased appetite after weight loss and thereby weight regain.
