SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases: an umbrella review of systematic reviews

SGLT2i impact on HCC incidence in patients with fatty liver disease and diabetes: a nation-wide cohort study in South Korea

This study evaluated the effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on cancer development, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in individuals with concomitant fatty liver disease (FLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Using data from Korea's Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we performed Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and T2DM (NAFLD-T2DM cohort) and those with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) alongside FLD and T2DM (FLD-T2DM-CVH cohort). In the propensity score (PS) matched NAFLD-T2DM cohort (N = 107,972), SGLT2i use was not associated with the occurrence of overall cancer, including HCC. However, old age, male sex, liver cirrhosis, and hypothyroidism were identified as independent risk factors for HCC occurrence, whereas statin and fibrate usage were associated with reduced HCC risk in this cohort in multivariate Cox analysis. In the PS-matched FLD-T2DM-CVH cohort (N = 2798), a significant decrease in HCC occurrence was observed among SGLT2i users (P = 0.03). This finding remained consistent in the multivariate Cox regression analysis (Hazard ratio = 2.21, 95% confidence interval = 1.01-4.85, P = 0.048). In conclusion, SGLT2i may be a beneficial option for diabetes management in patients with concomitant T2DM, FLD, and CVH while affirming the overall safety of SGLT2i in other types of cancer.

Applications of SGLT2 inhibitors beyond glycaemic control

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were initially developed for their glucose-lowering effects and have shown a modest glycaemic benefit in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In the past decade, a series of large, robust clinical trials of these therapies have demonstrated striking beneficial effects for various care goals, transforming the chronic disease therapeutic landscape. Cardiovascular safety studies in people with T2DM demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors reduce cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure. Subsequent trials in participants with heart failure with reduced or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction demonstrated that SGLT2 inhibitors have beneficial effects on heart failure outcomes. In dedicated kidney outcome studies, SGLT2 inhibitors reduced the incidence of kidney failure among participants with or without diabetes. Post hoc analyses have suggested a range of other benefits of these drugs in conditions as diverse as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, kidney stone prevention and anaemia. SGLT2 inhibitors have a generally favourable adverse effect profile, although patient selection and medication counselling remain important. Concerted efforts are needed to better integrate these agents into routine care and support long-term medication adherence to close the gap between clinical trial outcomes and those achieved in the real world.

Efficacy of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a substantial contributor to liver-related morbidity worldwide, and yet, there are no standard, universal pharmacologic therapies approved for this indication. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the effectiveness of SGLT-2 inhibitors in improving hepatic steatosis and hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. An extensive electronic database search was done to identify studies published from inception until December 2023, without any language restrictions. All randomized controlled trials (RCT) that evaluated the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors for patients with NAFLD, regardless of diabetes mellitus status, were included. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool was used to assess the risk of bias of each study included. Evidence from all studies were synthesized as mean differences for continuous data, and as risk ratio for dichotomous outcomes. An inverse variance or Mantel-Haenszel test was used in conjunction with a random-effects meta-analysis model, where necessary. 18 eligible RCTs involving 1330 participants were analyzed, all of which had risk of bias ranging from low to some concerns. Significant difference in means was observed for controlled attenuation parameter (6 trials, n = 372; MD: - 10.59 dB/m, 95% CI [- 18.25, - 2.92], p = 0.007, I2 = 0%); L/S ratio (3 trials, n = 163; MD: 0.11, 95% CI [0.01, 0.21], p = 0.04, I2 = 78%); LSM (7 trials, n = 447; MD: - 0.67 kPa, 95% CI [- 1.19, - 0.16], p = 0.010, I2 = 69%); MRI-PDFF (5 trials, n = 330; MD: - 2.61%, 95% CI [- 5.05, - 0.17], p = 0.04, I2 = 78%), and FIB-4 index (10 trials, n = 648; MD: - 0.12, 95% CI [- 0.21, - 0.04], p = 0.005, I2 = 16%) after SGLT-2 inhibitor treatment as compared to controls. In conclusion, the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors may lead to slight improvement of hepatic steatosis and/or fibrosis as compared to controls in patients with NAFLD and Type 2 diabetes mellitus based on imaging and histopathology biomarkers with low to moderate certainty of evidence.

SGLT2 inhibitors and AMPK: The road to cellular housekeeping?

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, known as Gliflozins, are a class of Glucose-lowering drugs in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) that induce glucosuria by blocking SGLT2 co-transporters in the proximal tubules. Several lines of evidence suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors regulate multiple mechanisms associated with the regulation of varying cellular pathways. The 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway plays an important role in metabolic homeostasis by influencing cellular processes. Recently, it has been shown that SGLT2 inhibitors can affect the AMPK pathway in differing physiological and pathological ways, resulting in kidney, intestinal, cardiovascular, and liver protective effects. Additionally, they have therapeutic effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes mellitus-associated complications. In this review, we summarize the results of studies of AMPK-associated therapeutic effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in different organelle functions.

Empagliflozin treatment of cardiotoxicity: A comprehensive review of clinical, immunobiological, neuroimmune, and therapeutic implications

Cancer and cardiovascular disorders are known as the two main leading causes of mortality worldwide. Cardiotoxicity is a critical and common adverse effect of cancer-related chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity has been associated with various cancer treatments, such as anthracyclines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and kinase inhibitors. Different methods have been reported for the management of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. In this regard, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), a class of antidiabetic agents, have recently been applied to manage heart failure patients. Further, SGLT2i drugs such as EMPA exert protective cardiac and systemic effects. Moreover, it can reduce inflammation through the mediation of major inflammatory components, such as Nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes, Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways, Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), and overall decreasing transcription of proinflammatory cytokines. The clinical outcome of EMPA administration is related to improving cardiovascular risk factors, including body weight, lipid profile, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness. Intriguingly, SGLT2 suppressors can regulate microglia-driven hyperinflammation affecting neurological and cardiovascular disorders. In this review, we discuss the protective effects of EMPA in chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity from molecular, immunological, and neuroimmunological aspects to preclinical and clinical outcomes.

Comparative efficacy of glucose-lowering drugs on liver steatosis as assessed by means of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and network meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To assess the comparative efficacy of glucose-lowering drugs on liver steatosis as assessed by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with T2D.

METHODS

We searched several databases and grey literature sources. Eligible trials had at least 12 weeks of intervention, included patients with T2D, and assessed the efficacy of glucose-lowering drugs as monotherapies. The primary outcome of interest was absolute reduction in liver fat content (LFC), assessed by means of MRI. Secondary efficacy outcomes were reduction in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue. We performed random effects frequentist network meta-analyses to estimate mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We ranked treatments based on P-scores.

RESULTS

We included 29 trials with 1906 patients. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors (P-score 0.84) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) (0.71) were the most efficacious in terms of liver fat content reduction. Among individual agents, empagliflozin was the most efficacious (0.86) and superior to pioglitazone (MD -5.7, 95% CI -11.2 to -0.3) (very low confidence). GLP-1 RAs had also the most favorable effects on visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

GLP-1 RAs and SGLT-2 inhibitors seem to be the most efficacious glucose-lowering drugs for liver steatosis in patients with T2D. Assessment of their efficacy on NAFLD in patients irrespective of presence of T2D is encouraged.

Pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and clinical considerations for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in patients with liver disease: a comprehensive update

INTRODUCTION

Type 2 diabetes and liver disease, mainly metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and more rarely cirrhosis, coexist in many patients. This duality has direct implications for the physician when choosing glucose-lowering agents, with classical concerns but also recent new hopes.

AREAS COVERED

This updated comprehensive review will consider the pharmacokinetics, the tolerance/safety profile, the benefit/risk balance in cirrhosis, the effects on MAFLD and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma of old and new glucose-lowering compounds in patients with liver disease, with a special focus on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors.

EXPERT OPINION

We are currently facing a new paradigm in the management of patients with diabetes and liver disease. From previous reluctance when using antidiabetic agents (except insulin) in diabetic patients with hepatic impairment because of safety concerns, the commercialization of novel glucose-lowering agents has changed the scene. These agents, which have a good safety profile, are associated with weight loss and pleiotropic effects. They have proven their efficacy in improving MAFLD. However, more specific studies are still needed to prove their efficacy in preventing the progression to fibrosis/cirrhosis and confirm this new opportunity for the management of patients with diabetes and liver disease.

Management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes, 2022. A consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)

The American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes convened a panel to update the previous consensus statements on the management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes in adults, published since 2006 and last updated in 2019. The target audience is the full spectrum of the professional healthcare team providing diabetes care in the USA and Europe. A systematic examination of publications since 2018 informed new recommendations. These include additional focus on social determinants of health, the healthcare system and physical activity behaviours including sleep. There is a greater emphasis on weight management as part of the holistic approach to diabetes management. The results of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes trials involving sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, including assessment of subgroups, inform broader recommendations for cardiorenal protection in people with diabetes at high risk of cardiorenal disease. After a summary listing of consensus recommendations, practical tips for implementation are provided.

Management of Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes, 2022. A Consensus Report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)

The American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes convened a panel to update the previous consensus statements on the management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes in adults, published since 2006 and last updated in 2019. The target audience is the full spectrum of the professional health care team providing diabetes care in the U.S. and Europe. A systematic examination of publications since 2018 informed new recommendations. These include additional focus on social determinants of health, the health care system, and physical activity behaviors, including sleep. There is a greater emphasis on weight management as part of the holistic approach to diabetes management. The results of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes trials involving sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, including assessment of subgroups, inform broader recommendations for cardiorenal protection in people with diabetes at high risk of cardiorenal disease. After a summary listing of consensus recommendations, practical tips for implementation are provided.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Review of Management for Primary Care Providers

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States and worldwide. The progressive form of NAFLD, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is a leading indication for liver transplant. Comorbidities associated with NAFLD development and NASH include type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and dyslipidemia. Extrahepatic morbidity and mortality are considerable as NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Once NAFLD is diagnosed, the presence of liver fibrosis is the central determinant of hepatic prognosis. Severe liver fibrosis requires aggressive clinical management. No pharmacologic agents have regulatory approval in the United States for the treatment of NAFLD or NASH. Management is centered on efforts to reduce underlying obesity (lifestyle, medications, surgical or endoscopic interventions) and metabolic derangements (prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and others). Current pharmacologic therapy for NAFLD is limited mainly to the use of vitamin E and pioglitazone, although other agents are being investigated in clinical trials. Cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors must also be assessed and managed. Here, NAFLD evaluation, diagnosis, and management are considered in the primary care setting and endocrinology clinics.

AMSTAR 2 appraisal of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in the field of heart failure from high-impact journals

BACKGROUND

The Measurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2 is a critical appraisal tool for systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) of interventions. We aimed to perform the first AMSTAR 2-based quality assessment of heart failure-related studies.

METHODS

Eleven high-impact journals were searched from 2009 to 2019. The included studies were assessed on the basis of 16 domains. Seven domains were deemed critical for high-quality studies. On the basis of the performance in these 16 domains with different weights, overall ratings were generated, and the quality was determined to be "high," "moderate," "low," or "critically low."

RESULTS

Eighty-one heart failure-related SRs with MAs were included. Overall, 79 studies were of "critically low quality" and two were of "low quality." These findings were attributed to insufficiency in the following critical domains: a priori protocols (compliance rate, 5%), complete list of exclusions with justification (5%), risk of bias assessment (69%), meta-analysis methodology (78%), and investigation of publication bias (60%).

CONCLUSIONS

The low ratings for these potential high-quality heart failure-related SRs and MAs challenge the discrimination capacity of AMSTAR 2. In addition to identifying certain areas of insufficiency, these findings indicate the need to justify or modify AMSTAR 2's rating rules.

Management of Dyslipidemia in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Purpose of Review

Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), often considered as the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, represent a population at high cardiovascular risk and frequently suffer from atherogenic dyslipidemia. This article reviews the pathogenic interrelationship between NAFLD and dyslipidemia, elucidates underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and focuses on management approaches for dyslipidemic patients with NAFLD.

Recent Findings

Atherogenic dyslipidemia in patients with NAFLD results from hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance along with associated alterations of hepatic glucose and lipoprotein metabolism, gut dysbiosis, and genetic factors.

Summary

Since atherogenic dyslipidemia and NAFLD share a bi-directional relationship and are both major driving forces of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) development, early detection and adequate treatment are warranted. Thus, integrative screening and management programs are urgently needed. A stepwise approach for dyslipidemic patients with NAFLD includes (i) characterization of dyslipidemia phenotype, (ii) individual risk stratification, (iii) definition of treatment targets, (iv) lifestyle modification, and (v) pharmacotherapy if indicated.

Weight loss interventions and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Optimizing liver outcomes

The growth in prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most important global health challenges. The three chronic diseases are closely linked in their epidemiology and pathophysiology. Currently, weight loss is the most effective treatment for NAFLD (even in the minority of patients with NAFLD who do not have obesity) and is recommended in all national and international guidelines. Accumulating evidence has shown that weight loss, whether achieved by diet and lifestyle interventions, bariatric surgery or pharmacotherapy, can improve biomarkers of NAFLD, as well as prevent progression and, in some cases, reverse fibrosis. There is a dose dependency of weight loss with NAFLD improvement. Pharmacotherapy with antiobesity medications, alone or in combination with intensive lifestyle interventions or other weight-loss drugs, is closing the efficacy gap between diet and exercise and weight-loss surgery in efficacy at reversing obesity. Given the importance of providing effective weight-loss treatment to patients with NAFLD, weight management services need to be made increasingly available and embedded within hepatology services. This narrative review addresses the evidence that weight loss optimizes liver outcomes in people with NAFLD.

SGLT2 Inhibition for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chronic Kidney Disease, and NAFLD

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are the latest class of antidiabetic medications. They prevent glucose reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule to decrease blood sugar. Several animal studies revealed that SGLT-2 is profoundly involved in the inflammatory response, fibrogenesis, and regulation of numerous intracellular signaling pathways. Likewise, SGLT-2 inhibitors markedly attenuated inflammation and fibrogenesis and improved the function of damaged organ in animal studies, observational studies, and clinical trials. SGLT-2 inhibitors can decrease blood pressure and ameliorate hypertriglyceridemia and obesity. Likewise, they improve the outcome of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and ischemic heart disease. SGLT-2 inhibitors are associated with lower cardiovascular and all-cause mortality as well. Meanwhile, they protect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and improve micro- and macroalbuminuria. SGLT-2 inhibitors can reprogram numerous signaling pathways to improve NAFLD, cardiovascular diseases, and renal diseases. For instance, they enhance lipolysis, ketogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and autophagy while they attenuate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, lipogenesis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and fibrogenesis. This review explains the beneficial effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on NAFLD and cardiovascular and renal diseases and dissects the underlying molecular mechanisms in detail. This narrative review explains the beneficial effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on NAFLD and cardiovascular and renal diseases using the results of latest observational studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses. Thereafter, it dissects the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the clinical effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on these diseases.

Repurposing sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) for cancer treatment - A Review

Developed as an antidiabetic drug, recent evidence suggests that several sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), especially canagliflozin and dapagliflozin, may exhibit in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities in selected cancer types, including an inhibition of tumor growth and induction of cell death. When used in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, SGLT2i may offer possible synergistic effects in enhancing their treatment efficacy while alleviating associated side effects. Potential mechanisms include a reduction of glucose uptake into cancer cells, systemic glucose restriction, modulation of multiple signaling pathways, and regulation of different gene and protein expression. Furthermore, preliminary clinical findings have reported potential anticancer properties of canagliflozin and dapagliflozin in patients with liver and colon cancers respectively, with reference to decreases in their tumor marker levels. Given its general tolerability and routine use in diabetes management, SGLT2i may be a good candidate for drug repurposing in cancer treatment and as adjunct to conventional therapies. While current evidence reveals that only certain SGLT2i appear to be effective against selected cancer types, further studies are needed to explore the antitumor abilities of each SGLT2i in various cancers. Moreover, clinical trials are called for to evaluate the safety and feasibility of introducing SGLT2i in the treatment regimen of patients with specific cancers, and to identify the preferred route of drug administration for targeted delivery to selected tumor sites.

Differences in outcomes of hospitalizations for heart failure after SGLT2 inhibitor treatment: effect modification by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Background

The treatment effects on hospitalization for heart failure (hHF) from sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may vary among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients depending on whether or not they have established atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). We aimed to examine differences in hHF outcomes after dapagliflozin or empagliflozin use between T2D patients with and without a history of established ASCVD.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective multi-institutional cohort study in Taiwan. We included T2D patients newly receiving dapagliflozin or empagliflozin during 2016–2019, and followed them up until December 31, 2020. We implemented 1:1 propensity score matching to create homogenous groups for comparisons. We generated Cox proportional hazard models to compare the risk of hHF between dapagliflozin and empagliflozin (reference group). We included interaction terms of SGLT2 inhibitor and ASCVD history in the regression models to examine effect modification by ASCVD.

Results

We included a total cohort of 9,586 dapagliflozin new users and 9,586 matched empagliflozin new users. The overall hHF risks were similar for dapagliflozin and empagliflozin (HR: 0.90, 95% CI 0.74–1.09). However, differential hHF risks between dapagliflozin and empagliflozin were observed only in the subgroup without ASCVD (HR: 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.90), while not in the subgroup with ASCVD (HR: 1.12, 95% 0.87–1.45), and the p-value for examining interaction was 0.0097.

Conclusion

In this study, history of established ASCVD was associated with different hHF risks among SGLT2 inhibitors. For T2D patients without ASCVD, dapagliflozin may offer a more favorable hHF reduction effect, compared to empagliflozin, in clinical practice. Future prospective studies should be conducted to validate our findings.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-021-01406-3.

Novel strategies for glycaemic control and preventing diabetic complications applying the clustering-based classification of adult-onset diabetes mellitus: A perspective

Diabetes mellitus results from an interplay between insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction. Since their relative contributions to its pathogenesis are difficult to quantify, therapeutic strategies for glycaemic control are determined primarily based on two limited metrics: plasma glucose and haemoglobin A1c. Recent attempts have been made to subclassify diabetes mellitus to better predict its associated pathology and plan appropriate therapeutic strategies. These classifications are based on data-driven cluster analysis using autoimmunity, age, obesity (metabolically unhealthy and healthy phenotypes), insulin secretory capacity and resistance, and ethnicity. This review addresses potential therapeutic strategies for the cluster-based classifications of adult-onset diabetes mellitus to achieve better glycaemic control and prevent or at least delay the concomitant complications.

Emergence of SGLT2 Inhibitors as Powerful Antioxidants in Human Diseases

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of oral glucose-lowering agents. Apart from their glucose-lowering effects, large clinical trials assessing certain SGLT2 inhibitors have revealed cardiac and renal protective effects in non-diabetic patients. These excellent outcomes motivated scientists and clinical professionals to revisit their underlying mechanisms. In addition to the heart and kidney, redox homeostasis is crucial in several human diseases, including liver diseases, neural disorders, and cancers, with accumulating preclinical studies demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors. In the present review, we aimed to update recent advances in the antioxidant roles of SGLT2 inhibitors in common but debilitating human diseases. We anticipate that this review will guide new research directions and novel therapeutic strategies for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, nephropathies, liver diseases, neural disorders, and cancers in the era of SGLT2 inhibitors.

Empagliflozin Improves Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the efficacy of empagliflozin compared to pioglitazone in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

METHODS

In this prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we assigned 106 patients with NAFLD and T2DM to receive empagliflozin 10 mg (n = 35), pioglitazone 30 mg (n = 34), or placebo (n = 37) for 24 weeks. Liver fat content and liver stiffness were measured using fibroscans. Body composition assessment was performed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans. The primary end point was change from baseline in liver steatosis, using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score.

RESULTS

A borderline significant decrease in CAP score was observed with empagliflozin compared to placebo, mean difference: - 29.6 dB/m (- 39.5 to - 19.6) versus - 16.4 dB/m (- 25.0 to - 7.8), respectively; p = 0.05. Using multivariate analysis, we observed a significant reduction in the placebo-corrected change in liver stiffness measurement (LSM) with empagliflozin compared to pioglitazone: - 0.77 kPa (- 1.45, - 0.09), p  = 0.02, versus 0.01 kPa (95% CI - 0.70, 0.71, p  = 0.98), p for comparison = 0.03. Changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HOMA2-IR, fibrosis-4 index (FIB4 index), NAFLD fibrosis score, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), android/gynecoid ratio (A/G ratio), and skeletal muscle index (SMI) were comparable between the two treatment groups, while significant reductions of the body weight and visceral fat area were observed only in the empagliflozin group (p  < 0.001 and p  = 0.01, respectively) and both were increased in the placebo and pioglitazone groups. There were no serious adverse events in either group.

CONCLUSION

Treatment for 24 weeks with empagliflozin, in contrast to pioglitazone, was associated with improvement of liver steatosis and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD and T2DM. In addition, body weight and abdominal fat area were decreased in the empagliflozin group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20190122042450N3.

Therapeutic approaches for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have been reported as a novel worldwide epidemic, very often associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Both conditions have also been shown to be associated with a number of endocrine pathologies. Despite the epidemic, the complex pathophysiology and major complications, ranging from metabolic disturbances (diabetes and more) to cardiovascular disease, people with NASH are left with very few management options. The best and most approved therapeutic option is lifestyle intervention. Although pharmacotherapies based on pathophysiological background are in development, response rates appear modest, mainly for fibrosis treatment, which is the reason for lack of approved drug therapy. Previous drugs analyzed, such as pioglitazone and vitamin E, show weak efficacy. From different phase II trials, antidiabetic (injectable) drugs seem to be promising, both in mono- or bitherapy. Also, derivatives of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors may have an interesting future, as well. For that reason, more focus should be given on prevention of this novel disease entity. In view of this booming epidemic, with a background of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and the important medical consequences, early recognition, prevention and intervention of NAFLD/NASH seems appropriate. In this review, we will focus on the different current and future therapeutic intervention options, taking into consideration the complex pathophysiology of this disease.