Korean J Fam Pract.  2022 Dec;12(5):361-366. 10.21215/kjfp.2022.12.5.361.

The Efficacy of Using Liraglutide for Improving Non-Acoholic Fatty Liver Disease Condition in Pediatric-Adolescent Population with Obesity: Real World Evidence

• Kim Mc
• Yum KS

• KMID: 2536832
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2022.12.5.361

Abstract

Background
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the pediatric and adolescent population is known to contribute to the development of major outcomes such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer later in life. Thus, the importance of determining the pathophysiology of and treating NAFLD has grown worldwide. However, definite guidelines are lacking. Liraglutide positively affects NAFLD through its various anti-obesity effects, including reducing the appetite by slowing the gastric emptying time and stimulating the central nervous system. Overall, liraglutide decreases visceral body fat, thus reducing inflammatory cytokines secreted by body fat and improving liver function. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of treating NAFLD patients with liraglutide.
Methods
This medical records analysis conducted between January and April 2022 included obese pediatric-adolescent patients who visited the family medicine department of a university hospital. Among them, only those with a serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT)/serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) level ≥40 IU/L were selected. Each was evaluated with serial blood tests, body composition analysis, and computed tomography to verify the feasibility of liraglutide to treat NAFLD.
Results
After treatment with liraglutide for >3 months, the research subjects’ fasting glucose, SGOT, SGPT, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lowered versus baseline (P<0.05). Body composition indices including body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and percent body fat showed statistically significant changes (P=0.028, P=0.018, P=0.014, respectively). Moreover, visceral fat area improved after liraglutide use (P=0.043).
Conclusion
These findings suggest that liraglutide may treat obese pediatric and adolescent patients with NAFLD-induced abnormal liver function.

Keyword

Obesity; Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD); Liraglutide; Child; Adolescent