Table 2 The main studies evaluating specific pharmacotherapy for T2D with benefit in MASLD

Pioglitazone

 45 mg

LF reduction (58% vs. 17% in the PLB group); MASH resolution at 51%; improvement in the fibrosis score observed in LB

36 m

[44]

 30–45 mg

Improvement of fibrosis (F3-F4 to F0-F2); MASH resolution in LB

6–24 m

[45]

 30–45 mg

Reduction of disease activity score (NAS) in the evaluation by LB

every 6 m

[46]

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA)

 Liraglutide 1.8 mg

Resolution of MASH without worsening of fibrosis in LB

48 weeks

[48]

 Semaglutide 0.4 mg

Resolution of MASH without worsening of fibrosis in LB

72 weeks

[51]

SGLT2 inhibitors^a

 Empagliflozin 10 mg

MRI-assessed LF reduction (− 4.0% vs PLB), ALT improvement

20 weeks

[56]

 Dapagliflozin 10 mg + omega 3

MRI-assessed LF reduction (− 21% vs PLB), improvement in liver biomarkers and enzymes (dapagliflozin monotherapy group)

12 weeks

[59]

 Canagliflozin 100/300 mg

SH improvement compared to PLB or active comparator (meta-analysis with n = 6745);

Smaller study with improvement of lobular inflammation, ballooning, and fibrosis (n = 9)

26 to 52 weeks

[60, 61]