Efficacy and safety of liraglutide in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with or without type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Kong W, Fang B, Xing W

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism1 Dec 2025Cited by 2 (Europe PMC)

PMID41321175DOI10.1111/dom.70301PepBankPUB-41321175

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

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: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study9

9 results from studies that gave the peptide. 9 results from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liraglutide reduced body mass index.
In plain wordsLiraglutide lowered body mass index in people with fatty liver disease.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBody mass index
Study
n = 478
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
SMD
−0.85
body mass index
Source sentences
Summary
The meta-analysis results demonstrated that liraglutide significantly improved BMI (standardised mean difference [SMD]: -0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.04 to -0.66), FPG (SMD: -1.22; 95% CI: -1.97 to -0.46), and GGT (SMD: -1.10; 95% CI: -1.48 to -0.72; p < 0.00001) in patients with NAFLD, re…
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase) were systematically searched for randomised RCTs evaluating liraglutide in the treatment of NAFLD.
Summary · context
Eight RCTs (with an overall moderate risk of bias as assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) involving 478 participants were included in the analysis.
Report a problemFND-4132117501
02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liraglutide reduced fasting plasma glucose.
In plain wordsLiraglutide lowered fasting glucose in people with fatty liver disease.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseFasting plasma glucose
Study
n = 478
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
SMD
−1.22
fasting plasma glucose
Source sentences
Summary
The meta-analysis results demonstrated that liraglutide significantly improved BMI (standardised mean difference [SMD]: -0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.04 to -0.66), FPG (SMD: -1.22; 95% CI: -1.97 to -0.46), and GGT (SMD: -1.10; 95% CI: -1.48 to -0.72; p < 0.00001) in patients with NAFLD, re…
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase) were systematically searched for randomised RCTs evaluating liraglutide in the treatment of NAFLD.
Summary · context
Eight RCTs (with an overall moderate risk of bias as assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) involving 478 participants were included in the analysis.
Report a problemFND-4132117502
03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liraglutide reduced gamma-glutamyl transferase.
In plain wordsLiraglutide lowered gamma-glutamyl transferase in people with fatty liver disease.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseGamma-glutamyl transferase
Study
n = 478
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
SMD
−1.1
gamma-glutamyl transferase
Source sentences
Summary
The meta-analysis results demonstrated that liraglutide significantly improved BMI (standardised mean difference [SMD]: -0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.04 to -0.66), FPG (SMD: -1.22; 95% CI: -1.97 to -0.46), and GGT (SMD: -1.10; 95% CI: -1.48 to -0.72; p < 0.00001) in patients with NAFLD, re…
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase) were systematically searched for randomised RCTs evaluating liraglutide in the treatment of NAFLD.
Summary · context
Eight RCTs (with an overall moderate risk of bias as assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) involving 478 participants were included in the analysis.
Report a problemFND-4132117503
04HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liraglutide had no statistically significant effect on HbA1c.
In plain wordsLiraglutide did not significantly change HbA1c in people with fatty liver disease.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
No significant changeHbA1c
Study
n = 478
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
SMD
0.14
HbA1c
Source sentences
Summary
However, the effect of liraglutide on HbA1c was not statistically significant (SMD: 0.14; 95% CI: -0.39 to 0.67).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of liraglutide on metabolic and hepatic outcomes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), based on randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Summary · context
Eight RCTs (with an overall moderate risk of bias as assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) involving 478 participants were included in the analysis.
Report a problemFND-4132117506
05HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, overall adverse events were more frequent with liraglutide and were mostly transient.
In plain wordsIn people with fatty liver disease, adverse events were more frequent with liraglutide and mostly transient.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
IncreaseAdverse events
Study
n = 478
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Regarding safety, liraglutide was associated with a higher incidence of adverse events, primarily gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea and diarrhoea, though these were mostly transient.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of liraglutide on metabolic and hepatic outcomes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), based on randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Summary · context
Eight RCTs (with an overall moderate risk of bias as assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) involving 478 participants were included in the analysis.
Report a problemFND-4132117507
06HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, nausea was reported among the mostly transient adverse events with liraglutide.
In plain wordsIn people with fatty liver disease, nausea was among the mostly temporary side effects reported with liraglutide.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableNausea
Study
n = 478
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Regarding safety, liraglutide was associated with a higher incidence of adverse events, primarily gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea and diarrhoea, though these were mostly transient.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of liraglutide on metabolic and hepatic outcomes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), based on randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Summary · context
Eight RCTs (with an overall moderate risk of bias as assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) involving 478 participants were included in the analysis.
Report a problemFND-4132117508
07HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome
In people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diarrhoea was reported among the mostly transient adverse events with liraglutide.
In plain wordsIn people with fatty liver disease, diarrhoea was among the mostly temporary side effects reported with liraglutide.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableDiarrhoea
Study
n = 478
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Regarding safety, liraglutide was associated with a higher incidence of adverse events, primarily gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea and diarrhoea, though these were mostly transient.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
To comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of liraglutide on metabolic and hepatic outcomes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), based on randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Summary · context
Eight RCTs (with an overall moderate risk of bias as assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) involving 478 participants were included in the analysis.
Report a problemFND-4132117509
08HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes, liraglutide reduced alanine aminotransferase.
In plain wordsLiraglutide lowered alanine aminotransferase in people with fatty liver disease and diabetes.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseAlanine aminotransferase
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
SMD
−0.44
alanine aminotransferase
Source sentences
Summary
Furthermore, liraglutide showed positive effects on ALT (SMD: -0.44; 95% CI: -0.80 to -0.08) and TG (SMD: -1.08; 95% CI: -1.97 to -0.19) specifically in patients with NAFLD comorbid with T2DM.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase) were systematically searched for randomised RCTs evaluating liraglutide in the treatment of NAFLD.
Summary · context
Eight RCTs (with an overall moderate risk of bias as assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) involving 478 participants were included in the analysis.
Report a problemFND-4132117504
09HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes, liraglutide reduced triglycerides.
In plain wordsLiraglutide lowered triglycerides in people with fatty liver disease and diabetes.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseTriglycerides
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Lipids · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
SMD
−1.08
triglycerides
Source sentences
Summary
Furthermore, liraglutide showed positive effects on ALT (SMD: -0.44; 95% CI: -0.80 to -0.08) and TG (SMD: -1.08; 95% CI: -1.97 to -0.19) specifically in patients with NAFLD comorbid with T2DM.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase) were systematically searched for randomised RCTs evaluating liraglutide in the treatment of NAFLD.
Summary · context
Eight RCTs (with an overall moderate risk of bias as assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) involving 478 participants were included in the analysis.
Report a problemFND-4132117505

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
12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

MeSH terms

Keywords

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