GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) or liraglutide (Saxenda), are medications originally developed for diabetes management but are also used for weight loss
With this in mind, and only the early fibrosis stage of NASH being reversible, the search for medications that can treat NASH has been described as the Quest for the Holy Grail. There are currently no FDA-approved drugs to treat NASH
FIGURE 3 2.2.1 PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy Under normal conditions, PINK1 (PTEN-induced kinase 1) is continuously degraded in healthy mitochondria
This shows that gut bacteria might help control body weight and fat storage
Phase 2 clinical trials published in 2023 reported mean resting heart rate increases of approximately 5 to 7 beats per minute at higher doses (8 mg and 12 mg weekly)
Published human data shows measurable weight reduction at 12 weeks, with progressive effects through 48 weeks