SGLT-2 Inhibitors for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Review

Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2023 Jul 6;28(7):134. doi: 10.31083/j.fbl2807134.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a group of metabolic liver illnesses that lead to accumulation of liver fat mainly due to excessive nutrition. It is closely related to insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and has become one of the main causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. At present, there is no specific drug for the treatment of NAFLD; lifestyle interventions including dietary control and exercise are recommended as routine treatments. As a drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors may also play a beneficial role in the treatment of NAFLD. This article reviews the mechanism of SGLT-2 inhibitors in the treatment of NAFLD.

Keywords: SGLT-2 inhibitors; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / metabolism
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors