Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the accumulation of excess fat in liver cells in people who drink little or no alcohol. It is now the most common liver disease globally, affecting roughly a quarter of adults worldwide and closely tied to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
What's actually going on in research
GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce liver fat substantially and are becoming the most widely tested drugs for NAFLD and its more severe form NASH, with tirzepatide (GLP-1/GIP dual agonist) showing remarkable liver fat clearance. Lifestyle intervention trials continue to demonstrate that significant weight loss — more than 10% of body weight — can reverse early liver disease. Emerging drugs targeting inflammation, fibrosis, and bile acid pathways are in trial development, though regulatory strategy for NAFLD without fibrosis is still evolving.
GLP-1 and dual agonists
Semaglutide and tirzepatide produce dramatic reductions in liver fat content measured by MRI. Trials are now testing whether this translates to clinical benefits beyond biochemical improvement.
Lifestyle intervention
Structured diet and exercise programs achieving 10%+ weight loss reliably reduce liver fat and inflammation, and trials are identifying the optimal intensity and delivery format.
Fibrosis-targeted drugs
For patients with early fibrosis alongside NAFLD, drugs targeting TGF-beta signaling and hepatic stellate cell activation are being added to metabolic therapies in combination trials.
What to know before you search
Eligibility usually requires liver fat above a threshold (often >5% on MRI), specific ALT ranges, BMI criteria, and exclusion of other liver diseases and heavy alcohol use.
What types of trials are currently open
- Lifestyle trials — Testing diet, exercise, and structured weight management programs for liver fat reduction.
- Drug trials — Testing GLP-1 agonists, metabolic agents, and novel compounds for liver fat and inflammation.
- Biomarker trials — Validating non-invasive tests (MRI-PDFF, blood biomarkers) to replace liver biopsy for diagnosis and monitoring.
- Combination therapy trials — Testing metabolic plus anti-fibrotic drug combinations in patients with NAFLD-related fibrosis.
- Pediatric NAFLD trials — Testing diet and drug interventions specifically in children and adolescents with fatty liver disease.
Recently added Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease trials
Additive Efficacy of Physical Activity Program in Hypthyroidism Elder Females With Glaucoma and Fatty Liver Issues
additive efficacy of physical activity program in hypthyroidism in elder females with glaucoma and fatty liver issues was not investigated
Evaluating the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Miricorilant
A Phase 1b, Open-Label Study Evaluating the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Miricorilant in Adult Patients With Presumed Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH)
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