Ozempic Shows Promise in Treating Fatty Liver Disease
Recent clinical research has highlighted the potential of the groundbreaking weight-loss medication Ozempic (semaglutide) in managing fatty liver disease, also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The study found that nearly twice as many patients taking semaglutide experienced a reduction or complete reversal of fatty liver without further liver scarring, compared to those on a placebo. Specifically, 63% of those on semaglutide saw improvements versus 34% of placebo participants.
Fatty liver disease affects approximately 15 million Americans, representing about 1 in 20 adults. It is characterized by fat accumulation in the liver, leading to inflammation and potential liver damage. MASH is closely linked with conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
The clinical trial involved 800 participants from 37 countries with moderate to severe liver scarring due to fatty liver disease. Over 72 weeks, participants were randomly assigned to receive semaglutide or a placebo. Results showed significant liver health benefits, with about 37% of semaglutide users exhibiting less liver scarring, compared to 23% in the placebo group. Additionally, about one-third of semaglutide recipients achieved both inflammation reduction and scarring improvement.
Beyond liver health, semaglutide also contributed to weight loss, better liver function, and improved cardiovascular health. This suggests that the drug not only targets liver issues directly but also addresses underlying metabolic factors.
Currently, the only approved treatment for fatty liver disease in the U.S. is Rezdiffra (resmetirom). However, Novo Nordisk, the maker of semaglutide, plans to seek FDA approval to expand its therapeutic use for fatty liver disease later this year.
Experts view this research as promising, indicating that semaglutide could provide a comprehensive approach to treating fatty liver disease by targeting both the symptoms and the root metabolic causes.
For more detailed information, the study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine: Arun J. Sanyal et al, "Phase 3 Trial of Semaglutide in Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatohepatitis," 2025. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-ozempic-fatty-liver-disease.html
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