Semaglutide Shows Promise in Treating Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
Translated by Nhi Phuong Quynh Le, B.A |
Posted on June 30th, 2025
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Currently, there is no approved treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. With the condition heavily linked to obesity and diabetes, a study was funded by Novo Nordisk to examine the usage of semaglutide in managing liver health in patients with liver fibrosis and steatohepatitis.
The study involved 800 participants with a median age of around 56 years old who had been diagnosed with steatohepatitis or stage 2 and 3 liver fibrosis, based on the Nonalcoholic
Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN) classification. Baseline assessment of other liver health indicators was performed yielding an average enhanced liver fibrosis score of around 9.95. The cohort’s liver stiffness level was also measured by elastography to be around 13 kPa.
The participants were randomly assigned to receive weekly subcutaneous injections of either placebo or 2.4 mg of semaglutide. After 72 weeks of treatment, the researchers found that semaglutide was more effective at resolving steatohepatitis and reducing liver fibrosis than placebo. Additionally, those treated with semaglutide experienced more reduction in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, c-reactive protein and glycated hemoglobin. The researchers noted that future studies should also investigate the usage of semaglutide in patients with cirrhosis.
The study involved 800 participants with a median age of around 56 years old who had been diagnosed with steatohepatitis or stage 2 and 3 liver fibrosis, based on the Nonalcoholic
Steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN) classification. Baseline assessment of other liver health indicators was performed yielding an average enhanced liver fibrosis score of around 9.95. The cohort’s liver stiffness level was also measured by elastography to be around 13 kPa.
The participants were randomly assigned to receive weekly subcutaneous injections of either placebo or 2.4 mg of semaglutide. After 72 weeks of treatment, the researchers found that semaglutide was more effective at resolving steatohepatitis and reducing liver fibrosis than placebo. Additionally, those treated with semaglutide experienced more reduction in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, c-reactive protein and glycated hemoglobin. The researchers noted that future studies should also investigate the usage of semaglutide in patients with cirrhosis.