Drugs made to treat diabetes and weight loss could stop or even reverse a severe liver disease, according to a new study.
The international study led by a Virginia Commonwealth University researcher found the medication semaglutide, commonly known by brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, has the ability to counter metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH, liver disease and some of its risk factors.
MASH is characterized by inflammation and scarring caused by fat buildup in the liver. It affects roughly 20 percent of adults in the U.S. and is closely associated with risk factors like Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Researchers administered weekly injections — either a placebo or semaglutide — to 800 patients across 37 countries between 2021 and 2023.
More than half of participants had Type 2 diabetes, and 75 percent were obese.
After nearly 17 months of injections, 62.9 percent of semaglutide patients had less inflammation and fat accumulation in their livers; 34 percent of placebo patients saw the same results.
It also reduced liver scarring in 37 percent of patients, compared to the placebo’s 23 percent.
The study’s semaglutide subjects also saw 10.5 percent weight loss, as well as improvements in liver enzymes and liver fibrosis measurements.
Lead author Dr. Arun Sanyal said the study could offer a “promising new approach for millions of patients.”
“If approved, this could offer an additional therapeutic option for patients with MASH and fibrosis,” Sanyal said. “This is crucial, given the strong link between MASH and cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal conditions, where semaglutide has already shown established health benefits.”
Sanyal’s team plans to continue the research by studying 1,200 participants from 37 countries for up to five years to look into long-term liver issues.
