Archive · 5 Jun 2025
Diabetes Drug Shows Promise for Liver Disease Treatment
Scientists tested a diabetes drug called dapagliflozin on people with liver problems like MASH and fibrosis.
MASH is when too much fat builds up in the liver, causing inflammation.
The study found that the drug helped improve these liver conditions in many participants.
Over half of the people taking the drug saw improvement in their MASH, compared to less than a third in the placebo group.
This means the drug might be a new way to help people with liver disease.
The trial was conducted in China, and further studies are needed.
Dapagliflozin, a type 2 diabetes drug, showed promise in treating MASH and liver fibrosis in a clinical trial.
The trial involved 154 participants and was conducted in China.
Researchers observed significant improvements in MASH and fibrosis among those receiving dapagliflozin compared to the placebo group.
MASH affects over 5% of adults and is common in those with diabetes or obesity.
The drug improved steatohepatitis and fibrosis, key aspects of MASH.
- Who
- Researchers in China and participants with MASH and liver fibrosis
- What
- Clinical trial shows dapagliflozin, a diabetes drug, improves liver conditions like MASH and fibrosis
- When
- Trial conducted between November 2018 and March 2023, published in The BMJ
- Where
- China
- Why
- To assess the effectiveness of dapagliflozin in treating MASH and liver fibrosis
Limited generalization
Promising results
Trial population
Limited generalization
Trial conducted in a Chinese population limits broader generalizability
Promising results
Study provides promising results for patients with MASH and liver fibrosis
- Drug Name
- Dapagliflozin
- Drug Type
- Type 2 diabetes medication (SGLT-2 inhibitor)
- Condition Studied
- MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) and liver fibrosis
- Participants
- 154
- Location
- China
- Study Duration
- 48 weeks
- Dapagliflozin improvement in MASH
- 53%