Semaglutide had a shocking benefit for patients with liver disease in a new study

Using semaglutides, scientists were able to reverse cases of liver disease in a new clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Semaglutide, which is traditionally a treatment for type 2 diabetes, was given to participants who had been diagnosed with a form of liver disease, which can endanger life called metabolic dysfunction associated with steatohepatitis (MASH).

“This is a great step forward in the field,” said Arun Sanyal, MD, director of the VCU Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Diseases and Metabolic Health, in a VCU video. “It provides patients with additional options when we think of treating fat liver disease.”

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MASH is a severe form of steatotic diseases associated with metabolic dysfunction (MASLD), which was formerly known as non -alcoholic fatty liver disease, according to WebMD.

Both Mash and Masld are marked by excessive fat in the liver, which can be dangerous.

“Over time, the accumulation of fat to the liver can lead to inflammation, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer,” a statement stated on the study.

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The researchers chose to investigate semaglutide as a potential treatment because it has previously been shown that this class of drugs reduces the fat and liver scar for people with bites.

Between 2021 and 2023, 800 selected participants randomly in 37 countries received weekly injections from semaglutide or placebo, according to the statement. More than half had type 2 diabetes and about 75% were obese.

After 72 weeks of treatment, 62.9% of participants had less inflammation and accumulation of fats in their livers.

In the placebo group, only 34.3% of participants experienced a decrease in symptoms.

“The liver begins to seem substantially better at the microscope of these patients,” said Sanyal.

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The researchers also found that 36.8% of the Semaglutin group saw improvements in their liver fibrosis, compared to 22.4% in the Placebo group.

Semaglutid -treated participants also saw improvements in liver enzymes and blood fibrosis blood measures, as well as 10.5% weight loss.

“I have been working with GLP-1 treatments for 16 years and these results are very exciting.”

Some adverse experiences were more common in the Semaglutine group, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting.

“Novo Nordisk continues to explore semaglutids through metabolic and cardiovascular health, including MASH, a condition with limited treatment options for patients and healthcare professionals,” said Anna Windle, doctor, senior vice president of clinical development, medical and regulatory affairs at Novo Nordisk, a manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, Fox News Digital.

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“We are encouraged to these findings published in the NEJM and what this can be for patients. From this data, we hope to work with the regulatory authorities to bring this new treatment option for patients.”

“Although these results must be treated with precaution, the analysis shows that semaglutid can be an effective tool for treating this advanced liver disease,” said Principal Principal Philip Newsome, director of Roger Williams’s Hepatic Studies Institute at King’s College London, in the statement.

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“I have been working with GLP-1 treatments for 16 years and these results are very exciting,” he added.

Sanyal said that the semaglutid had been proven beneficial for obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

“We can now add liver disease to this list.”

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For the future, the research team plans to collect data of about 1,200 participants in 37 countries up to five years to determine the impact of semaglutide on long -term liver complications.