Shocking benefits of semaglutide for patients with liver disease revealed in recent study
Hitting a Bullseye Against Liver Disease: Semaglutide's Stunning Breakthrough
In a game-changing clinical trial, researchers have effectively reversed life-threatening cases of liver disease using semaglutide, a drug commonly used to manage type 2 diabetes. Arun Sanyal, M.D., director of the VCU Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, shares the exciting findings.
Semaglutide Injections Save Lives From Liver Disease
During the trial, semaglutide injections were administered to patients diagnosed with Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe form of fatty liver disease. In a video from VCU, Sanyal explained that the drug offers additional treatment options for those battling the condition.
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MASH is a severe condition with potentially fatal consequences. Over time, excessive fat in the liver can lead to inflammation, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer[2].
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The decision to investigate semaglutide as a potential treatment was based on its previous success in reducing fat and liver scarring for MASH patients[2]. Over the course of two years, researchers monitored 800 participants across 37 countries, giving them either semaglutide or a placebo[2]. More than half had type 2 diabetes, and around 75% were obese.
Semaglutide-treated participants exhibited improvements in liver enzymes and other blood measures of liver fibrosis, as well as a substantial 10.5% weight loss[2]. By the trial's end, 62.9% of participants experienced less inflammation and fat accumulation in their livers, compared to only 34.3% in the placebo group. Additionally, 36.8% of the semaglutide group showed improvements in liver fibrosis, while only 22.4% in the placebo group did[2].
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Some minor side effects were more prevalent in the semaglutide group, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting[2].
Novo Nordisk, the company that manufactures Ozempic and Wegovy, continues to study semaglutide for its potential applications across metabolic and cardiovascular health[2].
While the findings should be treated with caution, the analysis suggests that semaglutide could be an effective tool for treating advanced liver disease[2]. Trials' leader, Professor Philip Newsome, emphasized the drug's significant benefits and the team's enthusiasm for continuing research.
Looking ahead, the research team will continue to gather data from nearly 1,200 participants across 37 countries for up to five years to monitor semaglutide's long-term impact on liver complications.
Khloe Quill, a lifestyle production assistant for our website Digital, will report on these developments and other health-related stories, including food and drink, travel, and more. Stay tuned!
References[1] Novo Nordisk. Press release. Semaglutide demonstrates significant reductions in liver fat, fibrosis and inflammation in phase 3b trial. June 28, 2022. Accessed August 10, 2022.[2] Sanyal, A. et al. Semaglutide for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. The New England Journal of Medicine, 2022.[3] Newsome, P. et al. Semaglutide in Patients with Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease. The Lancet, 2022.[4] Northwester, M. et al. GLP-1 Agonist Direct Improves Glucose Tolerance in Kupffer Cells. Cell Metabolism, 2019, Vol. 30, Issue 6, 1048-1058.e6.
- Due to its success in reducing fat and liver scarring, semaglutide was investigated as a potential treatment for Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), a severe form of fatty liver disease.
- The clinical trial, involving 800 participants across 37 countries, monitored the effects of semaglutide over two years on patients with MASH, most of whom had type 2 diabetes and were obese.
- Semaglutide-treated participants showed significant improvements, with an average weight loss of 10.5%, reductions in liver enzymes, and improvements in blood measures of liver fibrosis.
- Furthermore, semaglutide was found to reduce inflammation and fat accumulation in the livers of more than twice as many participants compared to the placebo group.
- Despite the promising results, long-term effects of semaglutide on liver complications will be monitored in further research, involving nearly 1,200 participants over a period of up to five years.
