The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine
Hangzhou, China
Location status: Recruiting
Recruiting
NCT Number: NCT07293325
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for Genetic Aging Delay in Adults With Obesity
This study is a prospective, randomized, open-label clinical trial enrolling 66 adults with simple obesity who have not used weight-loss medications for at least 3 months. Participants will receive semaglutide, tirzepatide, or metformin for 24 weeks. Changes in "biological (epigenetic) age" will be assessed using the iWatchAge DNA methylation age test, while simultaneously monitoring improvements in aging-related biomarkers such as inflammatory factors, metabolic parameters, and body composition. The aim is to determine whether incretin-based therapies can reverse or slow obesity-related accelerated epigenetic aging and to provide new clinical evidence for interventions targeting obesity and aging.
Recruiting
Interested in participating?
Request InfoKey information
Conditions
Age range
18 year–75 year
Sex eligibility
All sexes
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Not applicable
Primary location
Who can participate
Healthy volunteers accepted: No
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
- Adults aged 18 to 75 years.
- Diagnosed with simple obesity, defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m².
- Have not used any anti-obesity medications (including GLP-1 RAs, tirzepatide, metformin for weight loss, etc.) within the past 3 months.
- Able and willing to comply with study procedures and complete follow-up assessments.
- Provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
- Presence of secondary obesity (e.g., endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroidism).
- Use of anti-obesity medications or participation in another weight-loss program within the past 3 months.
- Diagnosed type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic drug therapy.
- History of pancreatitis, severe gastrointestinal disease, or bariatric surgery.
- Severe cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, or psychiatric disease that may affect participation.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women planning pregnancy during the study period.
- Current participation in any other clinical trial.
- Any condition that, in the investigator's judgment, makes the participant unsuitable for the study.
Treatment and study plan
semaglutide
DrugSemaglutide administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection.Dose titrated from 0.25 mg to 2.0 mg as tolerated over 24 weeks
Tirzepatide
DrugTirzepatide administered once weekly by subcutaneous injection. Dose titrated from 2.5 mg to 10 mg as tolerated over 24 weeks
metformin
DrugMetformin administered orally. Dose titrated from 500 mg to 1500-2000 mg daily, based on tolerance, for 24 weeks
Primary outcomes
-
Change in DNA methylation-based biological age measured by iWatchAge
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
Change in epigenetic biological age from baseline to Week 24, measured using the iWatchAge DNA methylation assay. This outcome reflects whether semaglutide, tirzepatide, or metformin can delay or reverse obesity-associated accelerated epigenetic aging.
Study contacts
Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.
Sponsors and collaborators
Lead sponsor
Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
Other
Registry information
Official study title
Assessing the Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Semaglutide and Dual GLP-I/GIP Receptor Agonist Tirzepatide in Delaying Genetic Aging in Adult Obese Patients Using the iWatchAge Technology
Important dates
- Study start
- 2025
- Primary completion
- 2027
- Study completion
- 2027
- First posted
- Dec 19, 2025
- Registry last updated
- Dec 19, 2025
OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.
View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.