Diabetes and obesity drug shows promise for fatty liver disease
In the journals
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), a GLP-1 agonist drug used to treat diabetes and obesity, may also help people with fatty liver disease, called metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). About 20% of people with MASLD develop liver inflammation known as metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH). MASH can lead to scarring of the liver and cirrhosis, and it is one of the most common reasons for liver transplants.
The study, published June 5, 2025 in The New England Journal of Medicine, included 800 people with moderate or severe stages of liver scarring due to MASH. Approximately half had type 2 diabetes, and about 73% had obesity.
Researchers divided the people randomly into two groups. One group took weekly injections of semaglutide (2.4 milligrams), and the other a placebo shot. Over 72 weeks, nearly 63% of those who received semaglutide injections experienced resolution of MASH compared with around 34% of those who took a placebo. Approximately 37% of the semaglutide group — compared with 22% in the placebo group — also were found to have reversal of liver scarring, which decreases cirrhosis risk. More research is needed, but the findings suggest that semaglutide and, perhaps other GLP-1 agonists, hold promise for helping people with MASH and highlight yet another potential benefit from this type of drug.
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About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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