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Randomized Double Blinded Placebo-Controlled w/Semaglutide to Prevent Weight Gain After Liver Transplant
A Randomized Double Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial of Semaglutide to Prevent Weight Gain Following Liver Transplantation
Who can join
Ages 18 to 75 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female age 18-75 years who received LT for any indication (i.e. NASH, hepatitis C, alcohol-induced cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, etc.) * Liver transplant surgery within 8-24 weeks prior to randomization * Fasting glucose \> 125 mg/dL or presence of diabetes (HbA1c≥6.5% or use of diabetes medications) or pre-diabetes (HbA1c \>5.7%) * Ability to provide informed consent * Discharged from the hospital following LT surgery * Tolerating diet * Normal graft function\* (determined by treating hepatologist/surgeon based on clinical status and hepatic panel) * Stable immunosuppression according the VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) post-LT protocols \*\* (i.e. calcineurin inhibitors + mycophenolate) * Eligible female patients will be (1) non-pregnant, evidenced by a negative urine pregnancy test, (2) non-lactating, (3)surgically sterile or post-menopausal, or they will agree to continue to use an accepted method of birth control during the study Exclusion Criteria: * BMI≤ 27kg/m2 * GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) ≤ 25 ml/min/1.73m2 * Type 1 autoimmune diabetes (by anti-GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase) or history of ketoacidosis) * History of gastroparesis * Familial or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia) 2 * History of pancreatitis * History of active malignancy post- LT with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancers * History of uncontrolled or unstable diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy * Acute cellular rejection * Hepatic artery thrombosis * Medical non-compliance * Active treatment with GLP (glucagon-like peptide)-1RA (receptor agonist) or SGLT (sodium-glucose cotransporter)-2 inhibitors at time of screening * History of hypersensitivity to semaglutide or its excipients * Women who are nursing, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant during the study, or are not using adequate contraceptive measures
About the study
In this study, semaglutide will be compared to placebo (a look-alike inactive substance, a "sugar pill") to determine if its use will prevent weight gain after liver transplantation (LT). In addition, researchers will be testing to determine if semaglutide prevents the development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) after transplant through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and laboratory results.
What is being tested
- Semaglutide Pen Injector (drug)
- Placebo (drug)
Sponsor: University of Virginia · Participants: 50 · Started: Feb 22, 2024
Contact the study team
- Sherry Boyett, RN · Phone: 804-828-5434
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05424003
Locations in the U.S.
| Virginia | Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.