Liraglutide reduces attenuation coefficient as a measure of hepatic steatosis during 16 weeks' treatment in nondiabetic obese patients: A pilot trial
Background and Aim Liraglutide, a long‐acting GLP‐1 analog, is approved for the treatment of obesity with improvements in fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and cardiovascular health. Our aim was to measure the impact of liraglutide dose for obesity on hepatic steatosis measured by ultrasound. M...
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Published in | JGH open Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 193 - 198 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Melbourne
Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
01.02.2021
John Wiley & Sons, Inc Wiley |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Background and Aim
Liraglutide, a long‐acting GLP‐1 analog, is approved for the treatment of obesity with improvements in fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and cardiovascular health. Our aim was to measure the impact of liraglutide dose for obesity on hepatic steatosis measured by ultrasound.
Methods
A single‐center, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot trial was undertaken in nondiabetic obese, otherwise healthy patients aged 18–65 years. Participants were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous liraglutide (3.0 mg) or placebo over 16 weeks with dose escalation following US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Both groups received standardized nutritional and behavioral counseling during the 16 weeks. Hepatic fat content was measured by ultrasound at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks as an attenuation coefficient (ACE). Effects of treatment were assessed using t‐test for the entire groups and for patient subgroup with baseline ACE >0.66 (indicating significant steatosis).
Results
Among 30 patients (93% female) enrolled, 16 were randomized to placebo and 14 to liraglutide. Baseline body mass indices (BMIs) and average age were similar in the two groups. After 16 weeks, the liraglutide group had a significant improvement in steatosis ACE scores (−0.068 ± 0.02 vs −0.0077 ± 0.02 placebo, P = 0.05). Change in steatosis was positively correlated with change in BMI (R2 = 0.402, P = 0.0007). Within the liraglutide group, patients with baseline ACE >0.66 had improvement in ACE (−0.134 ± 0.03) compared to those without significant steatosis (−0.041 ± 0.02, P = 0.05).
Conclusions
In this pilot trial, liraglutide, 3.0 mg over 16 weeks, reduced hepatic steatosis; a reduction in hepatic steatosis is correlated with BMI reduction, and effects are particularly evident in those with a significant degree of steatosis by ultrasound imaging.
Liraglutide, a long‐acting GLP‐1 analog, is approved for the treatment of obesity with improvements in fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and cardiovascular health. Liraglutide, 3.0 mg over 16 weeks, reduced hepatic steatosis; a reduction in hepatic steatosis is correlated with body mass index reduction, and effects are particularly evident in those with a significant degree of steatosis by ultrasound imaging. |
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Bibliography: | Author contribution None Xiao Jing Wang and Ping Gong drafted the initial manuscript, which was revised by Michael Camilleri. Chenyun Zhou, Chengwu Huang, U‐Wai Lok, Shanshan Tang, and Shigao Chen obtained ultrasound measurements on patients and reviewed the manuscript. Ann Taylor and Deborah Eckert recruited all patients and coordinated appointments, as well as reviewed manuscript. Declaration of conflict of interest ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Author contribution: Xiao Jing Wang and Ping Gong drafted the initial manuscript, which was revised by Michael Camilleri. Chenyun Zhou, Chengwu Huang, U‐Wai Lok, Shanshan Tang, and Shigao Chen obtained ultrasound measurements on patients and reviewed the manuscript. Ann Taylor and Deborah Eckert recruited all patients and coordinated appointments, as well as reviewed manuscript. Declaration of conflict of interest: None |
ISSN: | 2397-9070 2397-9070 |
DOI: | 10.1002/jgh3.12464 |