Daijiworld Media Network - London

London, May 1: A groundbreaking international study has found that semaglutide a widely used anti-diabetic drug can halt and even reverse advanced liver disease in patients suffering from metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious form of fatty liver disease.

Researchers at King’s College London led the trial, which involved 800 participants across 37 countries. Patients received weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo over 72 weeks, along with lifestyle counselling. The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, revealed that 62.9 per cent of those on semaglutide showed a reduction in liver inflammation, compared to 34.3 per cent on placebo.

Moreover, 37 per cent of semaglutide recipients also saw improvements in liver fibrosis, versus 22.4 per cent in the placebo group.

“MASLD is a growing problem worldwide and this trial will provide real hope for patients with MASH,” said Prof Philip Newsome of King’s College. “While these results must be treated with caution, the analysis shows semaglutide can be an effective tool to treat this advanced liver disease.”

The trial also showed that the drug significantly improved liver enzyme levels, fibrosis markers, and led to an average weight loss of 10.5 per cent. However, gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea were more commonly reported among those taking semaglutide.

MASH, previously known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is an advanced form of MASLD and is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The findings could pave the way for the first effective pharmacological treatment for this growing global health concern.