New research shows that Wegovy, originally for weight loss, could reverse liver damage in patients with severe fatty liver disease.
Popular weight loss drug Wegovy is showing potential for reversing serious liver damage.
According to a global study, the drug may possibly pause and even reverse advanced liver disease due to fat buildup. This is on top of its FDA-approved use of treating type 2 diabetes and proven efficacy in weight management.
MASH: The Link to Liver Disease
MASH is short for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, the new name for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Specifically, MASH results from excessive fat in the liver, triggering inflammation and scarring. Eventually, it can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Unfortunately, many patients don’t show symptoms until severe damage has occurred. Because of this, many doctors underdiagnose or undertreat people with MASH.
Wegovy Treated Severe Liver Disease
In particular, a 72-week Phase 3 trial tracked 800 patients from 37 countries. Participants received weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo.
Notably, the trial showed strong results. For instance, semaglutide improved liver inflammation and reduced fat accumulation in 62.9% of patients.
Meanwhile, only 34.3% in the placebo group saw similar improvements. Additionally, liver scarring (fibrosis) improved in 36.8% of treated patients.
By contrast, only 22.4% in the placebo group had fibrosis improvements. The trial also reported an average weight loss of 10.5%.
Moreover, liver enzyme levels, a marker for liver health, also dropped significantly among patients receiving semaglutide.
Encouraging Data
Dr. Arun Sanyal, director of the Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease, called the findings a “major step forward.” Sanyal is also the study’s co-lead author.
He noted that semaglutide could become a valuable tool in fighting liver disease, especially where few treatments exist. Specifically, Sanyal hopes the drug could prevent cirrhosis and its associated negative effects.
Moreover, Professor Philip Newsome of the Roger Williams Institute highlighted the role of GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide.
“These medications are shifting the treatment landscape for liver disease,” Newsome explained.
Semaglutide’s Potential
As of March 2024, the only treatment for MASH with FDA approval is Rezdiffra (resmetirom).
Consequently, doctors and patients are seeking more therapeutic options. In time, semaglutide might soon join the short list.
However, further research and regulatory approval are still necessary before doctors can prescribed it for liver conditions.
In the meantime, Wegovy continues to gain attention beyond its original purpose.
Outlook for Liver Disease
These new findings bring hope to millions struggling with obesity-related liver issues.
Importantly, they suggest that weight-loss drugs can deliver benefits that extend beyond the scale.
While more studies are necessary, the evidence is growing stronger.
For now, semaglutide may be the next breakthrough in treating liver disease, not just managing weight.
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