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Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
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Anti-obesity Medications for the Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Stergios A Polyzos1, Dimitrios G Goulis2, Olga Giouleme3

  • 1First Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Campus of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece. spolyzos@auth.gr.

Current Obesity Reports
|May 2, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Anti-obesity medications like liraglutide, semaglutide, and orlistat show promise for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by improving steatosis and inflammation. Further research is needed to explore their full potential in managing this common liver condition.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Obesity is a major risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
  • NAFLD is a prevalent condition with no approved pharmacological treatments.
  • Effective management of obesity may impact NAFLD progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of anti-obesity medications on NAFLD.
  • To focus on the effects of these medications on liver histology.
  • To identify current and potential therapeutic strategies for NAFLD in obese patients.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of existing literature.
  • Analysis of studies investigating anti-obesity drugs in the context of NAFLD.
  • Evaluation of histological outcomes, including steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis.

Main Results:

  • Orlistat and GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide, semaglutide) improve hepatic steatosis and inflammation, but not fibrosis.
  • Limited data exists for other anti-obesity drugs (lorcaserin, setmelanotide, phentermine combinations, naltrexone/bupropion) in NAFLD.
  • SGLT-2 inhibitors and FX receptor agonists show promise for both obesity and NAFLD but are not licensed for either.

Conclusions:

  • Liraglutide, semaglutide, and orlistat are potential options for select obese patients with NAFLD.
  • Targeting obesity offers a promising strategy for managing NAFLD and its associated comorbidities.
  • Further research is essential to fully elucidate the role of anti-obesity medications in NAFLD treatment.
Keywords:
Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogNonalcoholic fatty liver diseaseNonalcoholic steatohepatitisObesityOrlistatSodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor

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