NAFLD HEROES: Semaglutide for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

This study, called NAFLD HEROES, is looking into non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is a more severe form of NAFLD. Researchers want to understand how the liver responds to food in people with NAFLD and how this relates to their response to the drug semaglutide. Semaglutide is given as an injection once a week. The study aims to see if semaglutide can improve liver health, specifically looking for changes in liver tissue (histological improvement) and overall health (clinical improvement) after 30 weeks. They will also examine changes in liver gene expression after a sugar drink. You may be able to join if you are 18 or older and have evidence of fatty liver disease from a biopsy or imaging. The study plans to enroll 104 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study with a planned enrollment of 104 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You will be screened with a medical history, physical exam, blood tests, and imaging. Within 2-8 weeks of enrollment, you will stay in the clinic for several days.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoints are measured at 30 weeks, suggesting follow-up for at least that duration.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT03884075

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, the HEpatic Response to Oral Glucose, and the Effect of Semaglutide (NAFLD HEROES)

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18+InterventionalBasic science
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
~104 participants
Updated 2026-08-10 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Semaglutide

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Histological Improvement
Measured over 30 weeks
+2 more outcomes measured
Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

NCT03884075

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

    Bethesda, Marylandstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Yaron Rotman, M.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

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  • Histological Improvement30 weeks

    \>= point decrease in NAFLD activity score (range 0-8, high scores indicate more activity)

  • Clinical Improvement30 weeks

    Reduction of liver fat content (measure with 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy) by \>= 25% and reduction of ALT by \>=25% or normalization of ALT

  • Change in hepatic gene expression2 hours after an oral 75g glucose load

    Change in hepatic gene expression for biopsies performed at baseline and 2 hours after an oral 75g glucose load