Hepatoprotective Effect of SGLT2 Inhibitor on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

A fourth of the adult population is now suffering from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of NAFLD, can lead to liver-related mortality. NAFLD/NASH is closely associated with type 2 diabetes. Although pioglitazone is now recommended as the 1st line therapy for NASH with type 2 diabetes, pioglitazone has several safety concerns such as body weight gain, heart failure, fluid retention, and bone fracture in women. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have a variety of functions such as glycemic control, bodyweight reduction, and decreased body pressure. Accumulating evidence has shown that this agent has also cardioprotective and renoprotective effects in patients with or without type 2 diabetes. Recent studies that SGLT2 inhibitor can also reduce in transaminase activities or hepatic fat content in NAFLD. NAFLD patients with type 2 diabetes can be indicated for SGLT2 inhibitor, because they are obese, have insulin resistance, and at high risk of cardiovascular events. The phase 3 study of dapagliflozin for NAFLD (DEAN study) is now ongoing. It remains unknown whether this agent can ameliorate hepatic fibrosis in NASH, leading to improved over-all or liver-related survival. Since the leading cause of NAFLD mortality is cardiovascular events, SGLT2 inhibitors will become the 1st line treatment for NAFLD/NASH.