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Study · Systematic review · n = 458 · 2023

13 results

Efficacy and safety of semaglutide in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Zhu K, Kakkar R, Chahal D, Yoshida EM, Hussaini T

World journal of gastroenterology1 Oct 2023Cited by 29 (Europe PMC)

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: CC BY-NC. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study13

13 results from studies that gave the peptide. 13 results from people.

  1. 01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide increased the likelihood of NASH resolution in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide made resolution of NASH more likely.

    Outcome
    IncreaseNASH resolution
    Study

    n = 458

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    OR
    3.18 ratio
    NASH resolution

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Semaglutide increased the likelihood of NASH resolution (OR: 3.18, 95%CI: 1.70, 5.95; P < 0.001)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  2. 02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide increased the likelihood of improvement in steatosis in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide made improvement in liver fat more likely.

    Outcome
    IncreaseSteatosis improvement (histology)
    Study

    n = 458

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    OR
    2.83 ratio
    steatosis improvement

    Source sentences

    Summary
    improvement in steatosis (OR: 2.83, 95%CI: 1.19, 6.71; P = 0.03)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  3. 03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide increased the likelihood of improvement in lobular inflammation in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide made improvement in liver inflammation more likely.

    Outcome
    IncreaseLobular inflammation improvement
    Study

    n = 458

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    OR
    1.81 ratio
    lobular inflammation improvement

    Source sentences

    Summary
    lobular inflammation (OR: 1.81, 95%CI: 1.11, 2.96; P = 0.02)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  4. 04HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide increased the likelihood of improvement in hepatocellular ballooning in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide made improvement in liver cell ballooning more likely.

    Outcome
    IncreaseHepatocellular ballooning improvement
    Study

    n = 458

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    OR
    2.92 ratio
    hepatocellular ballooning improvement

    Source sentences

    Summary
    hepatocellular ballooning (OR: 2.92, 95%CI: 1.83, 4.65; P < 0.001)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  5. 05HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide did not improve fibrosis stage in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide did not improve liver fibrosis stage.

    Outcome
    No significant changeFibrosis stage
    Study

    n = 458

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    OR
    0.71 ratio
    fibrosis stage

    Source sentences

    Summary
    but not fibrosis stage (OR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.15, 3.41; P = 0.67)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  6. 06HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide reduced alanine aminotransferase in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide lowered the liver enzyme ALT.

    Outcome
    DecreaseAlanine aminotransferase change
    Study

    n = 458

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    MD
    −14.06 U/L
    ALT

    Source sentences

    Summary
    It also reduced alanine aminotransferase (MD: -14.06 U/L, 95%CI: -22.06, -6.07; P < 0.001)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  7. 07HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide reduced aspartate aminotransferase in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide lowered the liver enzyme AST.

    Outcome
    DecreaseAspartate aminotransferase change
    Study

    n = 458

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    MD
    −11.44 U/L
    AST

    Source sentences

    Summary
    aspartate aminotransferase (MD: -11.44 U/L, 95%CI: -17.23, -5.65; P < 0.001).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  8. 08HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide decreased HbA1c in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide lowered HbA1c.

    Outcome
    DecreaseHbA1c change
    Study

    n = 458

    Outcome group
    Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    MD
    −0.77%
    HbA1c

    Source sentences

    Summary
    decreased HgA1c (MD: -0.77%, 95%CI: -1.18, -0.37; P < 0.001)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  9. 09HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide reduced body weight in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide led to weight loss.

    Outcome
    DecreaseWeight loss
    Study

    n = 458

    Outcome group
    Body weight · Metabolic and weight
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    MD
    −6.53 kg
    weight

    Source sentences

    Summary
    weight loss (MD: -6.53 kg, 95%CI: -11.21, -1.85; P = 0.006)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  10. 10HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide increased the occurrence of gastrointestinal side effects in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide caused more digestive side effects.

    Outcome
    IncreaseGastrointestinal side effects
    Study

    n = 458

    Outcome group
    Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    OR
    3.72 ratio
    GI-related side effects

    Source sentences

    Summary
    increased the occurrence of GI-related side effects (OR: 3.72, 95%CI: 1.68, 8.23; P = 0.001).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  11. 11HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, the overall risk of serious adverse events with semaglutide was similar to placebo in a meta-analysis.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, serious adverse events were about as likely with semaglutide as with placebo.

    Outcome
    No significant changeSerious adverse events
    Study

    n = 458

    Comparator
    Placebo
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    OR
    1.4 ratio
    serious adverse events vs placebo

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Overall risk of serious adverse events was similar compared to placebo (OR: 1.40, 95%CI: 0.75, 2.62; P < 0.29).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  12. 12HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide reduced radiologically measured liver stiffness in a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide reduced liver stiffness on imaging.

    Outcome
    DecreaseLiver stiffness (radiological)
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    SMD
    −0.48 SD units
    liver stiffness

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Radiologically, semaglutide reduced liver stiffness (SMD: -0.48, 95%CI: -0.86, -0.11; P = 0.01)
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  13. 13HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In patients with NAFLD, semaglutide reduced radiologically measured steatosis in a meta-analysis of randomized trials, a borderline result (MD -4.96%, 95% CI -9.92 to 0.01; P = 0.05).

    In plain wordsIn pooled trials of people with fatty liver disease, semaglutide reduced liver fat on imaging, but the result was borderline.

    Outcome
    DecreaseSteatosis (radiological)
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Liver fat and liver function · Liver
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    MD
    −4.96%
    steatosis

    Source sentences

    Summary
    and steatosis (MD: -4.96%, 95%CI: -9.92, 0.01; P = 0.05).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 1, 2023, to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:06 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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