The effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease; a narrative review

Authors

Mihaela Simona Popoviciu, Oradea University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oradea, RomaniaFollow
Lorena Paduraru, Oradea University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oradea, RomaniaFollow
Mominur Rahman, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, 1207, BangladeshFollow
Fatema Akter Supti, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, 1207, BangladeshFollow
Roxana Adriana Stoica, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Bucharest, RomaniaFollow
Delia Reurean Pintilei, Consultmed Medical Center, 700547 Iasi, RomaniaFollow
Cristina Ioana Bica, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Bucharest, RomaniaFollow
Simona Cavalu, Oradea University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oradea, RomaniaFollow

Abstract

Worldwide, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a significant public health concern, especially since more than fifty percent of people with type 2 diabetes are affected by it. This pathological condition includes all states of fatty liver disease, from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to steatohepatitis (NASH). Prolonged evolutions can lead to cirrhosis and cancer, so treatment must be started early. Hepatic steatosis may be improved by sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors), which prevent glucose reabsorption in the proximal renal tubule and increase urinary excretion, thus lowering plasma glucose levels. Experimental studies in animal models have suggested that SGLT2 inhibitors may have beneficial modulatory effects on NAFLD and NASH, while numerous clinical trials have demonstrated their favorable effects on the liver enzymes, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose, and insulin resistance in NAFLD patients. This review highlights the state of knowledge regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis and pathogenetic pathways of MAFLD, focusing primarily on the effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors as a promising drug class in the treatment of NAFLD.

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Recommended Citation

Popoviciu, Mihaela Simona; Paduraru, Lorena; Rahman, Mominur; Supti, Fatema Akter; Stoica, Roxana Adriana; Reurean Pintilei, Delia; Bica, Cristina Ioana; and Cavalu, Simona (2024) "The effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease; a narrative review," Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences: Vol. 11: Iss. 1, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22543/2392-7674.1439
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/jmms/vol11/iss1/9