Research
Hormonal
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, significantly reduces hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and liver stiffness in patients with MAFLD, although its effect on reducing fibrosis stage remains uncertain.
Semaglutide, used for diabetes and obesity, has been shown to significantly reduce liver fat and inflammation in MAFLD patients. However, its ability to reverse liver scarring (fibrosis) is not yet clear. It is available in both injection and oral forms.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
Last year, a meta-analysis by Zhu et al. reported that semaglutide significantly reduced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular ballooning and liver stiffness, while the effect on reducing fibrosis stage is still uncertain [58].
Why this rating
Based on meta-analysis and RCTs; fibrosis effect uncertain.
Source
MAFLD Pandemic: Updates in Pharmacotherapeutic Approach Development
Farah Khaznadar et al. · Current Issues in Molecular Biology · 2024
DOI 10.3390/cimb46070376
narrative_reviewCited 13×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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- Resmetirom (Rezdiffra), a thyroid hormone receptor-beta (THR-β) agonist, is the first FDA-approved pharmacotherapy for non-cirrhotic MASH in adults with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (F2-F3), demonstrating significant resolution of MASH and improvement in liver fibrosis compared to placebo.Strong
- Pegozafermin (BIO89-100), an FGF-21 analog, demonstrates improvement in liver fibrosis in patients with MASH, as shown in Phase 2b trials, and has entered Phase 3 clinical trials.Good
- SGLT2 inhibitors (flozins) such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin show promise in reducing liver steatosis and inflammation in MAFLD patients, with several Phase 3 and 4 trials ongoing.Good
Related findings · Hormonal
- Initial treatment for type 2 diabetes should be a combination of metformin and either an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 receptor agonist to achieve cardiorenal protection, rather than monotherapy or older agents like sulfonylureas.Strong
- For patients with specific monogenic obesity syndromes (leptin deficiency, POMC/PCSK1/LEPR mutations), targeted pharmacotherapy (recombinant leptin or setmelanotide) is highly effective and should be prioritized, unlike in polygenic obesity.Strong
- Continued weekly administration of 2.4 mg subcutaneous semaglutide prevents weight regain and promotes further weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity, whereas switching to placebo results in significant weight regain.Strong
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