The NLRP3 inhibitor NT-0796 enhances and sustains GLP-1R agonist-mediated weight loss in a murine diet-induced obesity model

Abstract

Objective

In order to investigate whether a central nervous system penetrant anti-inflammatory could augment or sustain obesity treatment with semaglutide (Wegovy), a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, we tested two hypotheses in models of diet-induced obesity (DIO): 1) a centrally penetrant NLPR3 inhibitor, NT-0796, drives enhanced weight loss when combined with low-dose semaglutide, compared to monotherapy; and 2) NT-0796 monotherapy sustains weight loss induced by semaglutide.

Methods

Mice fed a standard high-fat or a polyunsaturated fatty acid diet served as models of DIO and were dosed with low-dose semaglutide, NT-0796, or combinations. Body weight, food intake, peripheral inflammatory markers, and hypothalamic glial fibrillary acidic protein expression were assessed.

Results

Combined dosing of NT-0796 with semaglutide drove greater weight loss than either monotherapy alone, and this effect was enhanced in mice consuming the polyunsaturated fatty acid diet. In addition, NT-0796 sharply limited weight regain following cessation of semaglutide therapy and normalized markers of both peripheral inflammation and hypothalamic astrogliosis to a far greater extent than either semaglutide or calorie restriction.

Conclusions

Alleviation of obesity-associated inflammation via NLRP3 inhibition 1) constitutes an effective weight-loss strategy as monotherapy in mice with DIO, 2) augments the weight-loss efficacy of a subtherapeutic dose of semaglutide, and 3) blocks recovery of lost weight following cessation of semaglutide.