The Effect of Tirzepatide on Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms and Biological Aging in Post-menopausal Women With Obesity

Change in Vasomotor Symptoms Frequency

Change in the frequency of self-reported daily average vasomotor symptoms from baseline to 24 weeks. Vasomotor symptoms will be captured for 2 weeks at baseline and 2 weeks at the end of the study.

Change in Vasomotor Symptom Severity

Change in self-reported daily vasomotor symptom severity from baseline to 24 weeks. Vasomotor symptoms will be captured for 2 weeks at baseline and at the end of the study. Severity will be classified as follows: Mild, sensation of heat without sweating/dampness; Moderate: sensation of heat with sweating/dampness, but able to continue current activity. May briefly fan yourself; Severe: sensation of intense heat with sweating causing disruption of current activity.

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.

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.

Change in Reactive hyperemic index

Vascular function will be measured using the EndoPAT device to assesses reactive hyperemia index (RHI) from baseline to week 24 on treatment or placebo. RHI is automatically calculated through a computer algorithm by following the equation: \[(tested arm-post occlusion/tested arm-baseline)/(control arm-post occlusion/control arm-baseline)\] × baseline correction factor. Endothelial dysfunction is defined as having an RHI ratio of equal or less than 1.67.

Change in Augmentation Index percentage

Augmentation Index (AIx): AIX uses applanation tonometry of the radial artery pulse, calibrated to resting brachial systolic and diastolic pressures (SphygmoCor XCEL, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN). Aortic systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressures will be derived from a synthesized aortic waveform using a validated mathematical transfer function. Augmentation pressure, reflecting the difference between aortic systolic pressure and the inflection point caused by the reflected wave, is influenced by arterial stiffness as well as factors like heart rate and ejection dynamics. AIx is calculated as augmentation pressure divided by aortic pulse pressure × 100%, adjusted to a heart rate of 75 bpm (AIx@75 bpm). Measurements will be performed in duplicate and averaged.

Change in Pulse Wave Velocity

SphygmoCor estimates central arterial stiffness by calculating the speed at which the pressure wave travels between the carotid and femoral arteries using applanation tonometry and reported as the pulse wave velocity (PWV); PWV m/s

Change in Cardiometabolic Parameters: Blood Pressure

Change in cardiometabolic parameters including blood pressure from baseline to week 24 on treatment or placebo. Measured in mmhg