A 48-week regimen of oral semaglutide for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) significantly reduced body weight and improved markers of liver health, including liver steatosis, liver stiffness, and enzyme levels. The treatment demonstrated similar safety to subcutaneous semaglutide, offering a potentially effective option for individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
MASLD, often linked to obesity and T2D, can lead to serious liver complications such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even cancer. While injectable glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists have shown benefits for liver health, the effectiveness and safety of oral formulations required further study. To address this, researchers conducted a prospective trial involving 80 patients with MASLD and T2D. Of these, 70 participants completed the 48-week oral semaglutide regimen.
Participants underwent evaluations every 12 weeks, including measurements of body mass index (BMI), liver enzymes, lipid profiles, and glycemic control. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were assessed using transient elastography and fibrosis markers.
The results revealed significant improvements across multiple parameters. Body weight, liver enzymes, lipid profiles, and glycemic control all showed marked improvement.
Adverse events were generally mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms and resolved over time. However, three participants discontinued treatment due to side effects.
These findings indicate that oral semaglutide may offer a safe and effective strategy for managing MASLD in patients with T2D, particularly through its weight loss benefits and positive impact on liver health.
