Dapagliflozin Shows Promise in Treating Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease, often exacerbated by excessive sugar intake alongside alcohol consumption, can lead to serious complications such as inflammation and fibrosis. Recent research has explored the efficacy of Dapagliflozin, a medication primarily used for managing diabetes, in treating Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH).

A randomized, placebo-controlled study conducted across six medical centers in China involved 154 participants, predominantly male (85%), with an average age of 35. All participants were diagnosed with MASH following liver biopsies, and a significant portion (45%) also had type 2 diabetes. Almost all participants exhibited some degree of liver fibrosis.

Over the course of 48 weeks, participants were administered either 10 mg of Dapagliflozin daily or a placebo. Additionally, all participants engaged in two health education sessions within the year. At the end of the study period, liver biopsies were repeated to assess changes in liver condition.

The primary outcome of the study was to evaluate the improvement of MASH without exacerbating fibrosis. Results indicated that 53% of the Dapagliflozin group achieved this goal, compared to 30% of those receiving the placebo. Furthermore, 23% of the participants in the Dapagliflozin group experienced a complete resolution of inflammation, while only 8% of the placebo group showed similar results. When assessing improvements in fibrosis without worsening MASH, 45% of the Dapagliflozin group saw favorable outcomes compared to 20% in the placebo group. The study reported a low dropout rate, with only one participant from the Dapagliflozin group and two from the placebo group discontinuing the study.

The study team published their findings in the British Medical Journal, suggesting that Dapagliflozin may significantly influence key aspects of MASH by improving both steatohepatitis and fibrosis.

Currently, there is only one FDA-approved medication for fatty liver disease in the United States; however, research into various new and existing compounds, including Semaglutide, is ongoing. Semaglutide has already shown promise in treating heart failure, and fatty liver disease could potentially be another indication for this drug. Future studies will need to encompass larger and more diverse populations, including a higher representation of women, to fully understand the potential of Dapagliflozin and other treatments.