Addition of Dulaglutide or Empagliflozin to Standard-of-Care Treatment: Effect on Liver Steatosis in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Koullias E, Papavdi M, Athanasopoulos S, Mitrakou A, Deutsch M, Zoumpoulis P, Manesis E, Thanopoulou A, Koskinas J

Cureus7 Feb 2024Cited by 4 (Europe PMC)

PMID38465109PMCIDPMC10924185DOI10.7759/cureus.53813PepBankPUB-38465109

Summary

Background Patients with liver steatosis and diabetes mellitus can benefit from medications like glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists or sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, as far as both hyperglycemia and fatty liver are concerned. Studies comparing members of both these families have not yet been published. We aimed to compare the effects of Empagliflozin and Dulaglutide, focusing primarily on liver steatosis. Methodology This prospective, observational, controlled study enrolled 78 patients from two centers in Athens, Greece. Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were assigned to one of three groups and received either Empagliflozin or Dulaglutide or any other medical treatment deemed appropriate by their physician. The primary endpoint was the reduction in liver fat fraction, assessed using magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction. Additionally, we evaluated the proportion of patients achieving a relative reduction above 30% of their initial liver fat concentration. Results The Empagliflozin group exhibited a reduction in liver fat fraction. Furthermore, the percentage of patients with a relative reduction of liver steatosis, >30%, was significantly larger in this group, compared to the Dulaglutide and Control groups. Significant body weight reduction was observed in all three groups, but no improvement in fibrosis assessing scores was noted. Conclusions Empagliflozin is effective in improving liver steatosis, while Dulaglutide does not exhibit a similar effect. Larger studies, comparing these or related agents, are necessary, to further assess benefits in patients with DM2 and nonalcoholic fatty liver.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. 1 result from people.

01HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In adults with diabetes and fatty liver, fewer dulaglutide recipients achieved more than 30% relative liver steatosis reduction than empagliflozin recipients.
In plain wordsIn adults with diabetes and fatty liver, fewer dulaglutide recipients achieved over 30% relative liver fat reduction than empagliflozin recipients.
Peptide
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Outcome
DecreaseLiver steatosis responder proportion
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Empagliflozin
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Furthermore, the percentage of patients with a relative reduction of liver steatosis, >30%, was significantly larger in this group, compared to the Dulaglutide and Control groups.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Methodology This prospective, observational, controlled study enrolled 78 patients from two centers in Athens, Greece.
Summary · context
Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were assigned to one of three groups and received either Empagliflozin or Dulaglutide or any other medical treatment deemed appropriate by their physician.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3846510901

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

In this study, Dulaglutide (Trulicity) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Dulaglutide (Trulicity).

02HumanNot a test of Dulaglutide (Trulicity) aloneObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In adults with diabetes and fatty liver, body weight fell in all groups, including dulaglutide and control.
In plain wordsIn adults with diabetes and fatty liver, body weight fell in all groups, including dulaglutide and control.
Peptide
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Outcome
DecreaseBody weight
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Significant body weight reduction was observed in all three groups, but no improvement in fibrosis assessing scores was noted.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Methodology This prospective, observational, controlled study enrolled 78 patients from two centers in Athens, Greece.
Summary · context
Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were assigned to one of three groups and received either Empagliflozin or Dulaglutide or any other medical treatment deemed appropriate by their physician.
In this study, Dulaglutide (Trulicity) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Dulaglutide (Trulicity).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3846510902
03HumanNot a test of Dulaglutide (Trulicity) aloneObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In adults with diabetes and fatty liver, fibrosis scores did not improve in any group, including dulaglutide.
In plain wordsIn adults with diabetes and fatty liver, fibrosis scores did not improve in any group, including dulaglutide.
Peptide
Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
Outcome
Direction not reportedFibrosis scores
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Significant body weight reduction was observed in all three groups, but no improvement in fibrosis assessing scores was noted.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Methodology This prospective, observational, controlled study enrolled 78 patients from two centers in Athens, Greece.
Summary · context
Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were assigned to one of three groups and received either Empagliflozin or Dulaglutide or any other medical treatment deemed appropriate by their physician.
In this study, Dulaglutide (Trulicity) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Dulaglutide (Trulicity).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3846510903

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.

Version 2Current
22 Oct 2026, 02:25 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
21 Oct 2026, 18:59 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

Keywords

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