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Home › Conditions › fatty liver

Fatty liver

Part of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

6 published articles · Updated continuously

Clinical Trial Landscape

Clinical Trials for fatty liver

25 trials tracked for fatty liver: 3 in phase 3 or 4 and 2 with published results. The most-cited published study has 85 citations.

25Trials tracked
3Phase 3 & 4
0Recruiting
2With published results
Phase distribution
Phase 4 1 Phase 3 2 Phase 2 13 Phase 1 1 Other / NA 8
  1. Phase 3 Liver and Fat Regulation in Overweight Adolescent Girls Completed · 85 cited
  2. Phase 4 Effect on Liver Fat and Metabolic Parameters When Switching a Protease Inhibitor or Efavirenz to Raltegravir Completed · 9 cited
  3. Phase 3 Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children (TONIC) Completed
  4. Phase 2 A Preliminary Study to Evaluate Cysteamine Therapy in Human Subjects With Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Completed
  5. Phase 2 Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analog to Improve Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Associated Cardiovascular Risk Completed
  6. Phase 2 Study of INT-747 in Patients With Diabetes and Presumed NAFLD Completed
Show 19 more trials
  1. Phase 2 Study of Gemcabene in Adults With FPLD Completed
  2. Phase 2 Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacodynamics of IONIS-DGAT2Rx in Adult Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Completed
  3. Phase 2 A Study of Siliphos in Adults With Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Completed
  4. Phase 2 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) in Diabetic Fatty Liver Completed
  5. Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Effect of GWP42003 on Liver Fat Levels in Participants With Fatty Liver Disease Completed
  6. Phase 2 Pioglitazone to Treat Fatty Liver in People With HIV Infection Completed
  7. Phase 2 A Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Two Aramchol Doses Versus Placebo in Patients With NASH Completed
  8. Phase 2 An Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Nitazoxanide on Collagen Turnover in NASH Patients With Fibrosis Completed
  9. Phase 2 Treatment for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver With Different Doses of Vitamin E Completed
  10. Phase 2 Cholic Acid for Hepatic Steatosis in Lipodystrophy Completed
  11. Phase 1 Liver Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Study of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Completed
  12. N/A Oral Amino Acid Nutrition to Improve Glucose Excursions in PCOS Completed
  13. N/A Conditionally Increased Output (CIO) Enhanced Ultrasound System Completed
  14. N/A The Effect of Growth Hormone Replacement on Liver Fat Completed
  15. N/A Evaluate Patients With Chronic Hepatitis by Three-dimensional Force-controlled Ultrasound Measurement Completed
  16. N/A Low Fat Vegan or American Heart Association Diets & Cardiovascular Risk in Obese 9-18 y.o. With Elevated Cholesterol Completed
  17. N/A Hepatic Mitochondrial Function in Youth Completed
  18. N/A Liver Fat Quantification by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Prediction of Postoperative Complications Completed
  19. N/A Post-Prandial Liver Glucose Metabolism in PCOS Completed

Showing the 25 most-cited and recently-updated of 25 trials. Browse the full registry →

Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Counts describe the research landscape and are not a treatment recommendation. Informational only — not medical advice.

What the trials found For clinicians

Fatty liver: what the trials found

Metformin treatment for 96 weeks resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) score as determined by histologic feature scores from liver biopsies (p=0.02) 3. However, Metformin did not produce statistically significant changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (p=0.32) or a sustained reduction in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) to 50% of baseline or <40 IU/L 3.

Other established interventions include Raltegravir 1 and Byetta 5Mcg Pen Injection 2.

Recent results — preliminary, needs further review

  • Tesamorelin showed a reduction in both NAFLD Activity Score and Fibrosis Score to zero 4.
  • A study using MRI imaging reported a -13.93% change in the percentage of liver fat 18.

For the clinician treating this condition

  • Metformin is associated with significant improvements in histologic NAFLD scores over 96 weeks, though it did not significantly impact ALT or AST levels.
  • Recent data suggests Tesamorelin and specific MRI-monitored interventions may impact liver fat and activity scores.

AI synthesis of 5 cited trials, updated Jun 29, 2026. Informational only — not medical advice; trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. How we use AI.

HCP Mode — summaries include clinical detail, trial data, and statistical outcomes.
Patient Mode — summaries use plain language, avoiding clinical jargon.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate shows positive therapeutic effects on various digestive system diseases in animal models
Oncology Meta-analysis
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate shows positive therapeutic effects on various digestive system diseases in animal models Green tea compound shows potential for several digestive diseases
This meta-analysis of 63 preclinical studies involving 738 animals indicates that Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has a positive therapeut…
A review of animal studies suggests a green tea compound could help treat various cancers and digestive conditions.
Frontiers Jun 11, 2026
Systematic Review: Flavonoids from Traditional Chinese Medicine Show Promise for NAFLD
Neurology Meta-analysis
Systematic Review: Flavonoids from Traditional Chinese Medicine Show Promise for NAFLD Flavonoids from Chinese medicine show promise for fatty liver disease
This systematic review examines flavonoids from traditional Chinese medicine for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The authors report that …
A systematic review suggests flavonoids from traditional Chinese medicine may improve liver health in humans and animals by reducing fat and…
Frontiers May 28, 2026
Narrative review of palmitoleic acid links to metabolic health and fatty liver outcomes
Nutrition & Obesity Medicine Sys. Review
Narrative review of palmitoleic acid links to metabolic health and fatty liver outcomes Palmitoleic Acid Shows Mixed Links to Metabolic Health
This narrative review examines palmitoleic acid (POA) supplementation and food matrices regarding insulin resistance, fatty liver, and hyper…
Higher palmitoleic acid levels are tied to fatty liver and insulin resistance, but supplements show neutral effects.
Frontiers May 26, 2026
Hepatic steatosis prevalence and impact in autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis
Oncology Meta-analysis
Hepatic steatosis prevalence and impact in autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis Fatty liver makes autoimmune hepatitis and PBC worse, but not PSC
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 19,898 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing c…
A large review found fatty liver is common in autoimmune liver diseases and makes outcomes worse for some patients, but not others.
Apr 28, 2026
Narrative review explores gut metabolites postbiotics obesity fatty liver and bone loss associations
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Sys. Review
Narrative review explores gut metabolites postbiotics obesity fatty liver and bone loss associations Your Gut Microbes May Be Secretly Stealing Your Bone Strength
This narrative review examines the relationship between gut metabolites, postbiotics, and conditions including obesity, fatty liver, and bon…
A leaky gut can block calcium and vitamin D from reaching your bones, raising fracture risk.
Frontiers Apr 28, 2026
Hepatic steatosis compromises APRI and FIB-4 accuracy for staging fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients
Rheumatology Cohort
Hepatic steatosis compromises APRI and FIB-4 accuracy for staging fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients Does fatty liver ruin the accuracy of common blood tests for scarring in hepatitis B?
This retrospective cohort study evaluated treatment-naïve Han Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B to assess how concurrent hepatic ste…
Fatty liver makes common blood tests for hepatitis B scarring nearly useless, dropping accuracy from 90% to under 50% and causing dangerous …
Frontiers Apr 6, 2026

Research across Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Related studies from across the Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease family.

Proposed pathway for systematic MASLD/MASH assessment in type 2 diabetes
Diabetes & Endocrinology Sys. Review
Proposed pathway for systematic MASLD/MASH assessment in type 2 diabetes New Pathway Proposed to Manage Liver Disease in Diabetes Patients
This narrative review proposes a structured, risk-adapted outpatient pathway for MASLD/MASH assessment in patients with type 2 diabetes, sta…
A new proposed management plan aims to help people with type 2 diabetes identify and assess liver conditions more systematically.
Frontiers Jul 30, 2026
Four specific miRNAs in extracellular vesicles satisfy high-tier causality for metabolic and inflammatory regulation
Hematology Sys. Review
Four specific miRNAs in extracellular vesicles satisfy high-tier causality for metabolic and inflammatory regulation Extracellular Vesicles Show Potential for Managing Metabolic Health Conditions
This systematic review evaluates the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in managing obesity, type 2 diabetes, MASLD, and atherosclerosis. …
New research identifies specific molecules within extracellular vesicles that may play a role in managing obesity, diabetes, and liver disea…
Frontiers Jul 29, 2026
Overweight and obesity prevalence in individuals with Down syndrome reaches 22% across mixed-age cohorts
Diabetes & Endocrinology Meta-analysis
Overweight and obesity prevalence in individuals with Down syndrome reaches 22% across mixed-age cohorts Overweight and Obesity Rates are High Among People with Down Syndrome
This meta-analysis of 26 studies involving 7,840 individuals identifies a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in people with Down synd…
New data shows that overweight and obesity rates are significantly higher in people with Down syndrome compared to the general population.
medRxiv Jul 28, 2026
Novel pharmacotherapies like resmetirom and GLP-1 receptor agonists offer potential concurrent hepatic and cardiovascular benefits
Cardiology Sys. Review
Novel pharmacotherapies like resmetirom and GLP-1 receptor agonists offer potential concurrent hepatic and cardiovascular benefits New Medications Show Potential to Treat Liver and Heart Disease
This systematic review examines the epidemiological links and shared pathophysiological mechanisms between metabolic dysfunction-associated …
Newer drugs like resmetirom and GLP-1 receptor agonists may offer dual benefits for patients with both liver and heart conditions.
Frontiers Jul 27, 2026
Subcutaneous semaglutide more than doubles the likelihood of NASH resolution without fibrosis progression
Gastroenterology Meta-analysis
Subcutaneous semaglutide more than doubles the likelihood of NASH resolution without fibrosis progression Semaglutide shows promise for treating fatty liver disease and NASH
This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluated subcutaneous semaglutide in adults with NAFLD or NASH. The analysis found signi…
A new analysis shows that semaglutide can help resolve liver inflammation and improve metabolic health in people with fatty liver disease.
NEJM Jul 26, 2026
Intensive CV management reduces cIMT progression in RA patients without hepatic steatosis
Gastroenterology RCT
Intensive CV management reduces cIMT progression in RA patients without hepatic steatosis Liver health impacts heart risk management in rheumatoid arthritis
This post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial involving 236 patients with rheumatoid arthritis evaluated intensive cardiovascular …
Patients with liver fat and rheumatoid arthritis show worse heart markers, but intensive care only slowed artery thickening for those withou…
Jul 25, 2026
Dapagliflozin plus pioglitazone reduces HbA1c by 0.49% and improves liver fat content in T2DM
Diabetes & Endocrinology Meta-analysis
Dapagliflozin plus pioglitazone reduces HbA1c by 0.49% and improves liver fat content in T2DM Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Diabetes and Liver Health
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 1411 patients found that dapagliflozin plus pioglitazone significantly improved glycemic control…
A combination of two medications may improve blood sugar levels and reduce liver fat in adults living with type 2 diabetes.
Frontiers Jul 21, 2026
Unified cardiometabolic disease framework links T2DM, ASCVD, HFpEF, MASLD, hypertension, and CKD via shared pathophysiology
Cardiology Guideline
Unified cardiometabolic disease framework links T2DM, ASCVD, HFpEF, MASLD, hypertension, and CKD via shared pathophysiology New Framework Links Heart and Kidney Health in Diabetes
This guideline provides a narrative review of the unified cardiometabolic disease (UCD) continuum. It argues that conditions like T2DM, ASCV…
Experts suggest that diabetes, heart failure, and kidney disease may share a single underlying cause rather than being separate conditions.
Frontiers Jul 19, 2026
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease prevalence reaches 56.9% among diabetic adults in India
Diabetes & Endocrinology Meta-analysis
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease prevalence reaches 56.9% among diabetic adults in India More than half of Indian adults with Type 2 Diabetes have liver disease
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies found a pooled MASLD prevalence of 56.9% among adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes Me…
Over half of adults in India with Type 2 Diabetes also have a fatty liver condition, highlighting a major link between these two health issu…
Jul 4, 2026
Immune crosstalk between innate and adaptive compartments drives inflammatory mechanisms in MASLD and MASH progression
Gastroenterology Sys. Review
Immune crosstalk between innate and adaptive compartments drives inflammatory mechanisms in MASLD and MASH progression Immune system crosstalk drives fatty liver disease progression
This systematic review examines the role of immune system interactions in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) a…
A new review reveals that immune cells talking to each other may be what pushes fatty liver disease toward severe liver damage.
Frontiers Jun 30, 2026
Citrus grandis Tomentosa flavonoids ameliorate hepatic steatosis and inflammatory responses in experimental MASLD models
Drug Pipeline Sys. Review
Citrus grandis Tomentosa flavonoids ameliorate hepatic steatosis and inflammatory responses in experimental MASLD models Citrus flavonoids show potential in treating fatty liver disease
This scoping review synthesizes preclinical data on the efficacy of Citrus grandis Tomentosa (CGT) flavonoids in metabolic dysfunction-assoc…
New research suggests specific citrus compounds may reduce inflammation and fat buildup in the liver, offering a possible path for future tr…
Frontiers Jun 24, 2026
Supervised structured exercise improves cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with MASLD by 3.52 mL/kg/min
Pulmonology & Critical Care Meta-analysis
Supervised structured exercise improves cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with MASLD by 3.52 mL/kg/min Supervised Exercise Improves Heart Fitness in MASLD Patients
This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of RCTs indicates that supervised structured exercise significantly improves cardiore…
New research shows that supervised, structured exercise significantly improves heart and lung fitness for adults living with MASLD.
Frontiers Jun 20, 2026

Questions about fatty liver

Are gut metabolites linked to obesity and conditions like fatty liver?

Yes, gut metabolites like short-chain fatty acids and bile acids are linked to obesity and fatty liver, with dysbiosis driving inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.

Full answer →
Do quercetin and apigenin show promise for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Yes, quercetin and apigenin show promise for NAFLD by reducing liver fat and inflammation, but most evidence comes from lab and animal studies; human trials are limited.

Full answer →
Can the compound EGCG help treat digestive system diseases and fatty liver?

EGCG shows promise for treating fatty liver and other digestive diseases in animal and lab studies, but human trials are still needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Full answer →