# Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Review · Mantovani A, Petracca G, Beatrice G, Csermely A, Lonardo A, Targher G

- Archive id: doi:10.3390/metabo11020073
- Published: 2021-01-27
- Venue: Metabolites
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11020073
- PMID: 33513761
- PMCID: PMC7911747
- Citations: 226
- Source URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11020073
- PDF: https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC7911747/pdf
- Provenance: europepmc

## Abstract

To assess the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) for treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or steatohepatitis (NASH), we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Three large electronic databases were systematically searched (up to 15 December 2020) to identify placebo-controlled or active-controlled RCTs using different GLP-1 RAs. We included eleven placebo-controlled or active-controlled phase-2 RCTs (involving a total of 936 middle-aged individuals) that used liraglutide ( n = 6 RCTs), exenatide ( n = 3 RCTs), dulaglutide ( n = 1 RCT) or semaglutide ( n = 1 RCT) to specifically treat NAFLD or NASH, detected by liver biopsy ( n = 2 RCTs) or imaging techniques ( n = 9 RCTs). Compared to placebo or reference therapy, treatment with GLP-1 RAs for a median of 26 weeks was associated with significant reductions in the absolute percentage of liver fat content on magnetic resonance-based techniques (pooled weighted mean difference: -3.92%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) -6.27% to -1.56%) and serum liver enzyme levels, as well as with greater histological resolution of NASH without worsening of liver fibrosis (pooled random-effects odds ratio 4.06, 95% CI 2.52-6.55; for liraglutide and semaglutide only). In conclusion, treatment with GLP-1 RAs (mostly liraglutide and semaglutide) is a promising treatment option for NAFLD or NASH that warrants further investigation.

_Abstract reproduced under CC-BY (article license as recorded by Europe PMC; abstract reproduced unmodified apart from markup removal)._

Topics: [GLP-1 & Incretin Therapies](https://space-kitty.com/topics/glp1-metabolic)

Cited in dossiers:
- [GLP-1 & Incretin Therapies: State of the Field (October 2026)](https://space-kitty.com/dossiers/glp1-metabolic)

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