Could a Popular Weight Loss Drug Help Treat Fatty Liver? Study Sheds Light
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A new phase 3 clinical trial published this week in The New England Journal of Medicine concludes that semaglutide, a widely used diabetes medication, can halt and even reverse metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe and increasingly common liver disease. The international study, led by Dr. Arun Sanyal of Virginia Commonwealth University and Dr. Philip Newsome of King’s College London, offers strong evidence that semaglutide not only improves liver health but also addresses the underlying metabolic dysfunction driving the disease.
MASH, previously known as NASH, is linked to obesity, type 2 weight loss,fatty liver,the new england journal of medicine,MASH,GLP 1diabetes, and hypertension, and can progress to cirrhosis or liver failure. It currently affects millions globally, with fatty liver disease impacting about 36% of the global population as of 2019. Despite its prevalence, only one FDA-approved treatment exists for the broader spectrum of fatty liver disease, highlighting the urgent need for new therapeutic options.
The trial involved patients across 37 countries and assessed the effects of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor
agonist, on individuals diagnosed with MASH. Participants received semaglutide over a prolonged period, and researchers tracked changes in liver histology, biomarkers, body weight, and other metabolic indicators. Results showed that semaglutide led to significant reductions in liver fat, inflammation, and fibrosis, with many patients achieving resolution of MASH without worsening fibrosis. Additionally, the drug contributed to notable weight loss and improvements in cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist sold under brand names Wegovy and Ozempic, is approved for weight loss and blood sugar control. As of now, semaglutide is not approved to treat MASH, and the maker Novo Nordisk has plans to seek regulatory approval for its use in treating liver disease sometime this year.
The results from this landmark study across 37 countries provide strong evidence that semaglutide can help patients with MASH by not only improving liver health, but also addressing the underlying metabolic issues that contribute to the disease,” Sanyal, the lead author and the professor of medicine at the VCU School of Medicine said in a statement.
“If approved, this could offer an additional therapeutic option for patients with MASH and fibrosis. This is crucial, given the strong link between MASH and cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal conditions, where semaglutide has already shown established health benefits,” Sanyal added.
Reference: Newsome, P.N., Sanyal, A.J., Engebretsen, K.A., Kliers, I., Østergaard, L., Vanni, D., Bugianesi, E., Rinella, M.E., Roden, M. and Ratziu, V. (2024), Semaglutide 2.4 mg in Participants With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis: Baseline Characteristics and Design of the Phase 3 ESSENCE Trial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 60: 1525-1533. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18331
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