Effect of dulaglitide for 12 week in biopsy-proven NAFLD patients with type 2 diabetes in Japan

Aims No pharmacological therapies have been established for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dulaglutide, a novel glucagon-like peptidase-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist in Japanese NAFLD patients with T2DM. Methods Fifteen biopsy-proven NAFLD patients with T2DM refractory to diet intervention who received once weekly dulaglutide 0.75 mg for 12 weeks were retrospectively enrolled after exclusion of two patients dropped off by 12 weeks. In five patients, transient elastography and body composition (Inbody 720) were also evaluated before and after the treatment. Results Not only body weight and HbA1c but also transaminase activities were significantly decreased after the 12wk therapy with dulaglutide. Total body fat mass and liver stiffness measurement also decreased after the treatment. Conclusion Dulaglutide, a new GLP-1R agonist, can be a novel promising agent for the treatment for NAFLD patients with T2DM due to its efficacy of body weight reductions, the nature of weekly injection and patient preference. Prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm this impact of dulaglutide on NAFLD with T2DM.