Fatty liver no longer a problem: This common diabetes medication can effectively treat it

Fatty liver affects around 36 percent of the global population, as per statistics in 2019. This is a condition in which fat builds up in your liver. A new study has found that a common diabetes medication has potential for treating fatty liver disease.

A new research led by Virginia Commonwealth University and published this week in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that diabetes medication, which is also popular for its weight-loss effects, can halt and even reverse a common liver disease that affects millions worldwide.

The study is led by Arun Sanyal, M.D., of the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, and Philip Newsome, Ph.D., of King’s College London, investigated semaglutide as a potential treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). They have revealed their findings from the phase 3 clinical trial.

“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.

What are the symptoms of fatty liver?

There are two types of fatty liver: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD). Some of the common symptoms include:

• Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or weakness.
  
• Abdominal discomfort: A dull ache or feeling of fullness in the upper right abdomen, where the liver is located.
  
• Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without trying, especially in more advanced stages.
  
• Weakness: General lack of energy or muscle strength.
  
• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin or eyes, indicating liver dysfunction (more common in severe cases).
  
• Swelling: Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites) or legs (edema), typically in advanced stages.
  
• Itchy skin: Persistent itching, often linked to liver issues.
  
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating: In severe cases, due to toxin buildup affecting brain function (hepatic encephalopathy).

VideoAt present, there is only one FDA-approved treatment available to treat fatty liver, which is where the potential of this diabetic medication stands crucial.

“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.

MASH is a growing public health threat. It is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure; it can progress to cirrhosis or liver failure.

The trial also found that semaglutide contributed to weight loss, improved liver biomarkers, and heart health. Most participants in the study responded well to the drug and some had mild gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, which is the most common side effects.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication. Wegovy and Ozempic are the brand names for semaglutide, which are now approved to promote weight loss, improve blood sugar control, and enhance metabolic health.

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.