Aging Well: Targeting Obesity With GLP-1 Agonists to Enhance Physical and Vascular Health in Postmenopausal Women

Phase 4Enrolling By InvitationNCT07057310

Mayo Clinic30 enrolled

Overview

In postmenopausal women, obesity increases the risk of physical function decline, premature aging, and vascular dysfunction. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are potent obesity medications. The goal is to determine the effect of weight loss induced by the new generation of GLP-1 receptor agonists on physical function, aging biomarkers, and vascular function in postmenopausal women with obesity.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Obesity Menopause

Interventions

semaglutide or tirzepatideDRUG

Semaglutide and tirzepatide will be dosed as per prescription labels

Lifestyle modification interventionBEHAVIORAL

All participants will be recommended the following: 1) low-calorie diet based on their predicted by Harris Benedict resting energy expenditure minus 500 kcal per day; 2) physical activity: a goal of 10,000 steps or more per day; 3) exercise: a goal of 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (cardiovascular exercise) per week; 4) limited consumption of liquid calories (i.e. sodas, juices, alcohol, etc.).

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 46 YearsMax age: 60 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Postmenopausal women (with menopause defined as the cessation of menstrual periods for at least 12 months or history of bilateral oophorecomy) * Age 46-60 years old * BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. Exclusion Criteria: * Past or current use of menopausal hormone therapy * Early or premature menopause * History of chemically induced menopause * Impaired renal function (GFR ≤29) * Thyroid-stimulating hormone ≥7 with low free T4 * Diabetes * Cardiovascular disease * Elevated blood pressure (\>170/\>95) * Uncontrolled co-morbidities including inflammatory, autoimmune, infectious, hepatic, gastrointestinal, malignant, or psychiatric disease * \>5% change in weight during the 3 months prior to screening * Other anti-obesity medication use within the past 3 months * History of bariatric surgery * History of malignant neoplasms within the past 5 years prior to screening * Current use of supplements known to affect weight * Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer. * Wheelchair bound * Vision loss

Locations (1)

Mayo Clinic in Florida

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Physical Function Measure: Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score.

The SPPB is a standardized test that evaluates lower extremity function using three components: balance tests (standing in various positions), gait speed (walking a short distance), and chair stand (repeated standing from a seated position). Each component is scored from 0 to 4; the total score ranges from 0 to 12. Higher scores represent better physical function.

Time frame: 24 weeks

Physical Function Measure: Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance (mCTSIB) performed on the Rehabilitation Artificial Physical Intelligence Database (RAPID) foot pressure mat

The mCTSIB assesses balance under four sensory conditions: eyes open/closed on firm and foam surfaces. Testing is performed while standing on the RAPID foot pressure mat, which captures center of pressure and postural sway data. The primary measure is average sway area of the four sensory conditions. The sway area is the area which is required to correct equilibrium, representing the total area covered by postural sway, measured in square centimeters (cm²).

Time frame: 24 weeks

Physical Function Measure: Standing Chest Throw Test with a 2-kg Weighted Ball using Motion Sensor Technology (MST)

This test evaluates upper body muscular power. Participants perform a two-handed chest throw of a 2-kg medicine ball from a standing position. The MST is used to record throw distance, velocity, and related performance metrics. The primary measure is Peak Power Score (W).

Time frame: 24 weeks

Physical Function Measure: Chair-to-Stand Tests using Motion Sensor Technology (MST)

This test assesses lower body strength and function. Participants are instructed to stand up from a chair and sit back down five times without using their arms. The MST measures movement dynamics. The primary measure is peak power score (W).

Time frame: 24 weeks

Physical Function Measure: Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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The 6MWT is a standardized submaximal exercise test used to assess functional aerobic capacity. Participants are instructed to walk as far as possible in six minutes along a flat, straight course. The total distance walked is recorded in feet. Longer walking distances indicate better aerobic capacity and endurance.

Time frame: 24 weeks

Physical Function Measure: Hand Grip Strength using a Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer

Participants are instructed to squeeze the dynamometer with maximum effort, measured in kilograms. The highest value from multiple trials is recorded.

Time frame: 24 weeks

Physical Function Measure: Short Form-12 (SF-12) Health Survey

The SF-12 is a standardized, self-administered questionnaire designed to assess overall health-related quality of life. It includes 12 items that measure physical and mental health components, generating Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores. Scores are standardized on a scale where higher values indicate better health status. Both PCS and MCS scores typically range from 0 to 100, with 0 indicating the poorest health and 100 indicating the best possible health status.

Time frame: 24 weeks

Physical Function Measure: Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) - Fatigue and Physical Function Domains

The PROMIS is a standardized set of self-reported questionnaires designed to measure health domains. This study includes the fatigue and physical function domains, which assess the participant's perceived level of tiredness and ability to perform daily physical activities. Responses generate standardized T-scores, calibrated to the general population. Higher fatigue T-scores indicate greater fatigue severity.

Time frame: 24 weeks

Aging Biomarkers: Cellular Senescence Markers in Plasma

Cellular senescence markers are measured in plasma samples to assess biological aging and cellular stress. These markers may include proteins associated with the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Quantification is performed using immunoassays. Higher levels of senescence markers indicate increased cellular senescence.

Time frame: 24 weeks

Difference between biological and chronological age

Epigenetic clocks estimate biological age by analyzing DNA methylation patterns at specific CpG sites across the genome. Biological age estimates are compared to chronological age to assess aging acceleration or deceleration. Biological age greater than chronological age indicates accelerated biological aging and potential increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Primary measure is the difference (ΔAge) between biological and chronological ages = reported in years.

Time frame: 24 weeks

Vascular Function Assessment: Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) using EndoPAT

The RHI is measured using the EndoPAT device, which assesses endothelial function by evaluating changes in digital pulse volume during reactive hyperemia. This non-invasive test involves occluding blood flow in one arm followed by release to induce vasodilation, with pulse amplitude recorded via finger probes. Lower RHI values suggest endothelial dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk.

Time frame: 24 weeks