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Horm Metab Res 2020; 52(07): 517-526
DOI: 10.1055/a-1186-0841
Endocrine Care

Effects and Safety of Sitagliptin in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Yuhan Zhang
1   Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
2   Laboratory of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
,
Tian Cai
3   Division of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai’an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai’an, China
,
Junyu Zhao
1   Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
4   Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
,
Congcong Guo
5   Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
,
Jinming Yao
1   Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
4   Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
,
Peng Gao
2   Laboratory of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
,
Jianjun Dong
6   Division of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
,
Lin Liao
1   Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
4   Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
5   Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
› Author Affiliations Funding Information: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant No. 81770822.
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Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common cause of chronic liver disease. However, the treatment is limited. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects and safety of sitagliptin, a selective inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4I), in treating NAFLD. Studies were sourced from electronic databases including PubMed, CENTRAL (Cochrane Controlled Trials Register), Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Clinical Trials, and CNKI to identify all randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs in adult patients with NAFLD. Key outcomes were changes in serum levels of liver enzymes and improvement in hepatic histology and fat content measured by imaging or liver biopsy. Stata14.0 and RevMan5.3 were used for the meta-analysis. Seven studies with 269 NAFLD patients were included. Compared to the control group, sitagliptin treatment improved serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels in the RCT subgroup (SMD = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.01–1.58). However, there was no significant improvement in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels following sitagliptin treatment. Four of the included studies performed liver imaging, but sitagliptin treatment did not result in a significant reduction in liver fat content. Only five participants developed sitagliptin-related gastrointestinal discomfort. Our study suggests that sitagliptin effects individuals with NAFLD by improving serum GGT. Although sitagliptin is safe and well tolerated in NAFLD patients, it exerts no beneficial effects on liver transaminase and liver fat content in these patients.

Key words

Sitagliptin - non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - NAFLD - DPP-4 - meta-analysis

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 12 March 2020

Accepted: 19 May 2020

Article published online:
19 June 2020

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

 

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