Triple hormone receptor agonist retatrutide for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a randomized phase 2a trial.
Sanyal AJ, Kaplan LM, Frias JP et al. · Nature medicine · PMID 38858523
Study summary
Main finding
Participants receiving retatrutide had greater reductions in MRI-measured liver fat than placebo. Changes were associated with weight, abdominal fat, and metabolic measures.
A liver-fat substudy included 98 participants from the 48-week obesity trial who had at least 10% liver fat at baseline. Retatrutide groups were compared with placebo.
What the researchers measured
Relative change in MRI-measured liver fat at 24 weeks was the primary outcome. Researchers also assessed the proportion reaching less than 5% liver fat and relationships with weight and metabolic changes.
How to read this evidence
The paper includes research in people. Its comparison groups, participant selection, follow-up, and measured outcomes determine how far the findings can be applied. The label alone does not establish efficacy or safety.
Results in context
Liver fat fell more in the retatrutide groups than with placebo. These are imaging outcomes from the parent trial's participants, not a separate confirmation of clinical liver benefit. Less liver fat does not by itself demonstrate less scarring or fewer liver-related complications.
What this does not establish
This is a substudy of the obesity trial, not an independent replication. Liver-fat imaging does not establish effects on fibrosis, clinical liver outcomes, or long-term safety.
Publication & source
Why this paper is included
The compound is a named subject of the publication title.