A recent phase 3 clinical trial has found that semaglutide, a key component of weight loss and diabetes medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, can effectively treat a serious form of fatty liver disease. The study involved 800 participants and lasted 72 weeks.
The results showed that nearly two-thirds of patients given the semaglutide treatment experienced improvements in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), a condition characterized by inflammation of the liver. Liver fibrosis, or scarring, was also reduced by 36.8% in patients on semaglutide compared to 22.4% in those given placebos.
The treatment’s benefits were seen across various metrics, including improvements in both MASH and fibrosis, as well as reductions in blood sugar levels. The study’s findings provide strong evidence that semaglutide can address the underlying metabolic issues contributing to MASH.
If approved, this would offer an additional therapeutic option for patients with MASH and fibrosis, who currently have limited treatment options. Semaglutide works by regulating key metabolic processes, including appetite reduction and blood sugar control. The study’s results suggest that semaglutide may also be beneficial in treating liver disease by improving metabolism and reducing inflammation.
The research has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and the trial will continue to expand its participant pool for a full five years to confirm these initial findings.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/landmark-study-finds-semaglutide-effectively-treats-serious-liver-disease