Nephron / Wikimedia Commons
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most common cause of liver disease and is associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, there is currently no licensed treatment.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have found that the glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue liraglutide – a treatment for type 2 diabetes – is also effective in NASH. All 23 patients who received liraglutide injections for 48 weeks underwent liver biopsy; nine (39%) of these patients had histological resolution of NASH compared with two (9%) of 22 patients who received placebo (P=0.019).
The researchers, who report their findings in the The Lancet (online, 18 November 2015)[1]
, note that improvements in glycaemic control and weight in the group taking liraglutide suggest the drug could also improve cardiovascular outcomes.
The researchers conclude that extensive, long-term studies of liraglutide for NASH are warranted.
References
[1] Armstrong MJ, Gaunt P, Aithal GP et al. Liraglutide safety and efficacy in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (LEAN): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 2 study. The Lancet 2015; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00803-X
