Clinical Trial Finds Semaglutide Reverses Liver Damage in MASH Patients

The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a study of semaglutide. This trail was conducted across 37 countries over 253 sites. A GLP-1 receptor agonist considerably enhanced liver histology and metabolic parameters in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). There are around 800 adults with biopsy-confirmed MASH and stage 2 or 3 fibrosis, and a chance of 2:1 ratio to receive a weekly 2.4 mg semaglutide or placebo for 72 weeks.

MASH, a liberal form of fatty liver disease, is closely related with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiometabolic dysfunction. With limited treatment options available, the study aimed to evaluate semaglutide's dual effects on liver and metabolic health.

Semaglutide led to steatohepatitis resolving without failing fibrosis in 62.9 percent of patients, compared to 34.3 percent in the placebo group. Fibrosis improvement without worsening steatohepatitis was seen in 36.8 percent of the semaglutide group, versus 22.4 percent on placebo. Nearly one-third of semaglutide-treated participants achieved both endpoints.

Additionally, the secondary outcomes with weight loss, improved insulin resistance, lipid profiles, and inflammatory markers, and liver stiffness, the enhanced liver fibriosis score, and N-terminal propeptide of type III collagen are non-invasive markers.

No new safety concerns emerged as gastrointestinal side effects were more common with semaglutide, and serious adverse events and discontinuations were similar between groups. 

This provisional analysis supports semaglutide’s potential as a complicated treatment for MASH, addressing liver inflammation, fibrosis, and systemic metabolic dysfunction. Long-term results will be evaluated in the full 240-week trial. If confirmed, semaglutide could offer a major satisfying advance to the growing global burden of fatty liver disease.