NAFLD is associated with progressive metabolic dysfunction and rising hepatic injury in adults with and without T2DM. A meta-analysis published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism evaluated whether liraglutide improves metabolic and hepatic parameters based on randomized controlled trials.

Liraglutide significantly reduced BMI with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of −0.85 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of −1.04 to −0.66. FPG improved with an SMD of −1.22 with a 95% CI of −1.97 to −0.46. GGT declined with an SMD of −1.10 with a 95% CI of −1.48 to −0.72. In adults with NAFLD and T2DM, ALT improved with an SMD of −0.44 with a 95% CI of −0.80 to −0.08, and TG decreased with an SMD of −1.08 with a 95% CI of −1.97 to −0.19. HbA1c showed no significant change.

Liraglutide was associated with a higher incidence of AEs, primarily nausea and diarrhea, which were mostly self-limited. The findings indicate favorable metabolic and hepatic effects in NAFLD and support further evaluation in larger prospective studies.