Research
Hormonal
Semaglutide achieves the highest response rate for NASH resolution without worsening fibrosis in clinical trials, but does not reverse fibrosis despite significant weight loss.
Semaglutide is currently the most effective drug for resolving NASH without worsening fibrosis, but it does not reverse existing fibrosis. It should be considered for patients who do not achieve goals with lifestyle changes alone, under medical supervision.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Semaglutide treatment achieved the highest response rate in NASH resolution in a trial to date without worsening of fibrosis in the recently completed 72-week phase II trial. However, there was a lack of fibrosis reversal despite the massive weight loss, so there is the question whether the effects are independent of weight loss.
Why this rating
Supported by phase II trial data.
Source
Treatment Options and Continuity of Care in Metabolic-associated Fatty Liver Disease: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Carmen Lara et al. · European Cardiology Review · 2024
DOI 10.15420/ecr.2023.34
narrative_reviewCited 16×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Weight loss of 7-10% is required to improve histological disease activity and features of MASLD, while 3-5% weight loss stabilizes or improves fibrosis in normal-weight patients.Good
- Adherence to a Mediterranean diet improves liver steatosis and metabolic parameters, and is the only diet pattern recommended as potential therapy for MASLD by major scientific societies.Good
- Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (150-200 minutes/week) reduces intrahepatic lipid and improves MASLD outcomes, with vigorous exercise offering full benefits for steatohepatitis and fibrosis.Good
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