Time-Restricted Feeding and Weight-Loss Drugs on Muscle Function in SK2 Drosophila Model

Overview

From Ozempic to Alli, weight-loss drugs have gained popularity due to approximately 39% of the global population being obese, increasing the pharmaceutical demand for effective solutions. Although these drugs help patients lose up to 10% of their total body fat, weight-loss drugs also reduce long-term muscle function by decreasing both lean and muscle mass. This increases the risk of impaired physical performance and metabolic rate reduction. Time-restricted feeding (TRF), a diet that stimulates the preservation of lean muscle mass through protein synthesis, was used to counter the harmful effects of weight-loss drugs. The study aims to test whether TRF impacts muscle function in Drosophila Melanogaster on weight-loss drugs. SK2 is a gene mutation that models obesity in flies. Study groups consisted of SK2 flies on blue food Ad-libitum feeding (ALF), SK2 flies on blue food and TRF, SK2 flies on drug-food ALF, and SK2 flies on drug-food and TRF. The behavioral locomotive ability was assessed through negative geotaxis climbing. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) determination, Bradford protein, and nitric oxide assays were performed to evaluate the biochemical impact of the conditions further. Results indicated that flies on TRF with weight-loss drugs had increased muscle function compared to those on weight-loss drugs with ALF. The TRF drug group showcased significantly increased locomotive ability, ATP levels, protein concentrations, and nitric oxide levels. This study indicates that TRF helps alleviate the negative effects of weight-loss drugs, physically and biologically. The experiment applies to individuals today, helping improve muscle function and health when consuming weight-loss drugs.

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