A groundbreaking trial has found that a key ingredient in blockbuster weight-loss drugs could help manage a serious liver condition before it becomes life-threatening. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, may be a viable treatment for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
MASH occurs when fat builds up in the liver, causing inflammation and scarring. If left untreated, it can progress to cirrhosis, a condition characterized by advanced, irreversible liver damage. The study included 800 patients with MASH and moderate or advanced liver fibrosis, who received semaglutide once per week for 72 weeks.
The results showed that 33% of patients taking semaglutide experienced improvements in both inflammation and scarring in the liver, compared to 16% of those receiving a placebo. Additionally, 63% of semaglutide-taking patients lowered their inflammation, while 37% saw an improvement in scarring. Patients on semaglutide also lost an average of 10.5% of their body weight.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Debbie Shawcross, described the results as “hugely exciting.” However, she noted that lifestyle changes may also play a significant role in managing MASH. The trial found that even without losing weight, 34% of patients receiving a placebo showed improvements in liver inflammation, suggesting that lifestyle interventions could be effective.
While semaglutide has shown promise, the company behind the drug, Novo Nordisk, has yet to confirm an updated timeline for EU and US regulators to approve the treatment. The study’s findings have sparked hope for patients with MASH, who currently lack approved treatments in the European Union.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/health/2025/05/01/weight-loss-drugs-like-wegovy-could-help-serious-liver-condition-that-has-no-cure-all-trea