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Ozempic/Wegovy Shows Promise in Fighting Fatty Liver Disease
A new clinical trial offers hope for millions suffering from fatty liver disease. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in the weight-loss drug Ozempic/Wegovy, significantly improved liver health in a substantial number of participants.
Approximately 1 in 20 American adults have fatty liver disease, also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This condition, linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, occurs when fat accumulates in the liver, causing inflammation and scarring.
The trial involved 800 individuals with moderate to severe liver scarring from fatty liver disease. Researchers found that 63% of participants taking semaglutide saw their fatty liver disease halt without further scarring, compared to just 34% in the placebo group.
Furthermore, around 37% of those on semaglutide showed reduced liver scarring, compared to 23% in the placebo group. Overall, about a third of semaglutide users saw both inflammation reduction and scarring improvement – more than double the placebo group.
Semaglutide’s benefits extended beyond liver health. Participants also experienced weight loss, improved liver function, and better heart health.
Lead researcher Dr. Arun Sanyal, director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease and Metabolic Health, noted that semaglutide “offers a promising new approach for millions of patients” by addressing both the liver disease and its underlying metabolic causes.
Currently, only one FDA-approved treatment exists for fatty liver disease. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of semaglutide, plans to seek FDA approval for its use in treating fatty liver disease later this year. This development could offer a much-needed new treatment option for this prevalent condition.