An Observational Study of Reduction in Glycemic Parameters and Liver Stiffness by Saroglitazar 4 mg in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background Metabolic abnormal conditions, such as diabetes and high triglycerides (TGs), are commonly associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Currently, there is no approved pharmacotherapy for NAFLD. Saroglitazar, the world’s first approved dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) α and γ agonist, was approved in India for the treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia. The objective of this study was to observe the safety and effectiveness of saroglitazar, 4 mg once daily, in reducing glycemic parameters and liver fibrosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with NAFLD. Method In this prospective observational study, we enrolled 30 patients with T2DM and NAFLD (primarily detected by ultrasonography (USG) of the abdomen) who were treated with saroglitazar, 4 mg once daily, and the follow-up data were available for six months after saroglitazar treatment. During follow up, all patients were on stable antidiabetic and statin therapy. Liver stiffness was measured by FibroScan® (Echosens™ North America, Waltham, MA) elastography at baseline and at the six-month follow-up. Results At the six-month follow-up after saroglitazar treatment, significant improvement was observed in glycemic parameters, liver stiffness on FibroScan, and serum transaminase levels. The serum TG levels were significantly reduced with saroglitazar. No major adverse event was reported. Conclusion In this observational study of patients with T2DM and NAFLD, saroglitazar improved liver stiffness, as well as the glycemic and lipid parameters. A long-term randomized controlled clinical trial is required to further establish the safety and efficacy of saroglitazar in the treatment of T2DM and NAFLD.