July 19, 2026Diabetologia1 citationsOpen Access
Pharmacological treatment of MASH
Key Points
- The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological treatments for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and its severe manifestation, MASH.
- Conducted a narrative review on current treatments for MASLD/MASH.
- Focused on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist-based therapies and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors.
- Discussed additional treatment approaches emphasizing metabolic benefits.
- Therapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors significantly improve MASLD/MASH outcomes.
- These pharmacotherapies offer established cardiorenal benefits alongside metabolic improvements.
- Lifestyle modifications remain an essential component of the overall treatment strategy.
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) includes a spectrum of progressive liver conditions ranging from isolated steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. Currently, MASLD is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. MASLD is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and certain extrahepatic cancers. MASLD shares a common pathogenesis with cardiometabolic diseases, especially type 2 diabetes, primarily driven by unhealthy dietary habits, dysfunctional adipose tissue, insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation. Substantial heterogeneity in the pathophysiology of MASLD may influence its rate of progression, its relationship with cardiometabolic diseases and its treatment response. In addition to lifestyle interventions, including a healthy low-energy diet and increased physical activity levels, pharmacological treatment of MASLD/MASH is recommended. For individuals with type 2 diabetes and MASLD/MASH, treatment should preferably include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist-based therapies and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which have been shown to improve MASLD/MASH and provide established cardiorenal benefits. In this narrative review, we assess the efficacy of these pharmacotherapies and discuss other treatment approaches for MASLD/MASH, with a focus on their metabolic benefits.