Weight loss drugs could help fatty liver disease, study finds

WEB DESK: A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that diabetes and obesity medications like semaglutide — sold under brand names such as Wegovy and Ozempic — could help treat a serious liver condition linked to obesity and diabetes.

The study tracked around 800 patients over 72 weeks and found that semaglutide significantly improved liver health in those suffering from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a type of fatty liver disease.

“Nearly two-thirds of patients saw reduced liver inflammation, and over a third showed less liver scarring,” said Dr. Celine Gounder, CBS News medical contributor. She warned, however, that MASH can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or even liver cancer.

Dr. Zobair M. Younossi from the Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases noted that about 17 million Americans are affected by MASH — nearly one in five adults with fat buildup in the liver.

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Gounder called the findings hopeful but emphasised the need for further research, as the study covered only 72 weeks.

The side effects reported — nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and weight loss — were in line with what’s already known about semaglutide.

Currently, Rezdiffra (resmetirom) remains the only FDA-approved treatment specifically for MASH, granted approval last year.