European heart journalOct 5, 2026

Semaglutide reduces heart and liver changes in heart failure with preserved pumping strength, independent of weight loss

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Oct 6, 2026

Abstract

The study investigates the effects of semaglutide in two preclinical models of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) presents a significant therapeutic challenge.
GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, exhibit potential benefits that may extend beyond weight loss.
The research focuses on weight loss-independent effects of semaglutide using the ZSF1 Obese rat and Göttingen HFpEF minipig models.
The findings could provide insights into alternative mechanisms by which GLP-1RAs may improve heart function.

Simplified

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains a significant therapeutic challenge. While GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) show clinical promise, it remains unknown if their benefits are driven solely by weight loss or involve weight loss-independent mechanisms. We investigated the weight loss-independent effects of semaglutide in two preclinical models of cardiometabolic HFpEF: the ZSF1 Obese rat and the Göttingen HFpEF minipig.

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