Scientists may have solved weight regain problem from GLP-1 drugs
(NewsNation) — Researchers said they have developed a minimally invasive procedure This could help people lose weight after stopping popular medications like Ozempic and semaglutide, and could be a solution to one of the biggest challenges facing the multibillion-dollar world. weight loss drug industry.
Procedure named duodenal mucosa renewalIt uses controlled heat to regenerate the lining of the upper small intestine, potentially “resetting” the patient’s metabolism, preventing the overall weight gain that occurs when patients quit smoking. GLP-1 drugs.
Dartmouth Health Weight Center Endoscopic Obesity and Metabolic Program Director Dr. “Finding a treatment that allows patients to discontinue these medications without gaining weight or losing metabolic benefits is a major unmet need,” said Shelby Sullivan. The lead author of the study said:
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About 70% of people who stop taking GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy They regain most of the weight they lostusually within 18 months. The cost of ongoing medications, side effects, and reluctance to take medications indefinitely lead many patients to discontinue medication use.
Patients maintained 80% of their weight loss
In the clinical trial, researchers studied 45 patients who had lost an average of 40 pounds using tirzepatide before stopping the drug. Twenty-nine underwent a duodenal mucosal resurfacing procedure, while 16 received sham treatment.
Six months after stopping the medication, patients who had the actual procedure gained back only about 7 pounds and maintained more than 80% of their weight loss. By comparison, those who underwent the sham procedure gained about 14 pounds.
The difference between the two groups widened over six months, suggesting that the benefits may be strengthening rather than diminishing over time.
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Dr. “It is particularly encouraging that this benefit increases over time rather than decreases, behaving like a drug in terms of dose response,” Sullivan said.
How does the DMR procedure work?
The procedure targets the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine below the stomach where the body produces GLP-1 and other hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism.
High-fat, high-sugar diets disrupt hormone signaling over time, causing mucous membranes to thicken and become damaged. By removing the damaged layer, the procedure stimulates the regrowth of healthy tissue, which “resets” the person to their new, lower body weight.
No serious complications were reported. Patients recovered quickly from anesthesia and were able to return to normal activities in about a day.
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Dr. “Patients usually recover quickly from anesthesia and do not experience much downtime,” Sullivan said.
A larger trial involving more than 300 patients is underway
The procedure is in the research phase and is not yet FDA approved.
The larger REMAIN-1 study included more than 300 fully enrolled and randomized participants. Researchers expect top results from the key group in the early fourth quarter of 2026, followed by a planned marketing rollout later. Per Science Daily.
If a larger study confirms the early findings, duodenal mucosal resurfacing may provide the “breakout point” that GLP-1 weight loss has been missing.
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