Comparative effects of liraglutide 3 mg vs structured lifestyle modification on body weight, liver fat and liver function in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a pilot randomized trial
Abstract
We compared the effects of weight loss induced by the glucagon‐like peptide 1‐agonist liraglutide with a structured lifestyle intervention in obese adults with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD ). Obese (body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 , mean weight 96.0 ± 16.3 kg) non‐diabetic Asian adults, with NAFLD diagnosed by liver fat fraction ( LFF ) ≥ 5.5% on magnetic resonance imaging without other causes of hepatic steatosis, were randomized to a supervised program of dieting (restriction by 400 kilocalories/d) plus moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise (~200 min/wk; DE group, n = 12), or liraglutide at the 3 mg daily dose approved for weight loss ( LI group, n = 12), for 26 weeks. Both DE and LI groups had significant ( P < .01) and similar reductions in weight (−3.5 ± 3.3 vs −3.5 ± 2.1 kg, respectively, P = .72), LFF (−8.9 ± 13.4 vs −7.2% ± 7.1%, P = .70), serum alanine aminotransferase (−42 ± 46 vs −34 ± 27 U/L, P = .52) and aspartate aminotransferase (−23 ± 24 vs −18 ± 15 U/L, P = .53). In this first randomized study comparing the 2 weight‐loss modalities for improving NAFLD , liraglutide was as effective as structured lifestyle modification.
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There was increased weight regain in the liraglutide-treated group compared with the lifestyle intervention arm in those studies.
“there was increased weight regain in the liraglutide-treated group compared with the lifestyle intervention arm.28,29”
From Randomised trial comparing weight loss through lifestyle and GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy in people with MASLD (2025) · cites this paper as [29]
Two published studies have used higher doses of liraglutide (3 mg) with a 26-week intervention period.
“Two published studies have used higher doses of liraglutide (3 mg) with a 26-week intervention period.”
From Randomised trial comparing weight loss through lifestyle and GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy in people with MASLD (2025) · cites this paper as [29]
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- Authors
- Khoo, J., Hsiang, J., Taneja, R., Law, N., & Ang, T.
- Affiliations
- Changi General Hospital (SG)
- Corresponding author
- Khoo, Joan
- Venue
- Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017-07-14
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 1814-1817
- ISSN
- 1462-8902 (ISSN-L)
- 1463-1326
- OpenAlex
- W2616178818
- Cited by
- 99
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 13
- FWCI
- 8.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacology and Obesity Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Bariatric Surgery and Outcomes
- Keywords
- liraglutide, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, GLP-1 receptor agonists, weight loss, liver fat fraction, aerobic exercise, dietary restriction, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, hepatic steatosis
- MeSH terms
- Liraglutide, Healthy Lifestyle, Adult, Diet, Reducing, Female, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents, Insulin Resistance, Liver, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Pilot Projects, Singapore, Weight Loss, Exercise, Body Mass Index, Caloric Restriction, Lipid Metabolism, Waist Circumference, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
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