Amaravati, October 16, 2025:

Two widely used heart medications, pemafibrate for lipid control and telmisartan for hypertension, demonstrated potential to reduce fat accumulation in the liver's initial stage of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), according to a new study in Pharmacological Research.

In rats fed high-fat diets with fructose, both drugs alone slashed triglyceride levels effectively, while the half-dose combination performed equally well, minimising side effect risks. Telmisartan similarly curbed fat in overfed zebrafish larvae, leveraging complementary actions: pemafibrate boosts lipid breakdown, and telmisartan curbs synthesis pathways.

Study lead Marta Alegret from the University of Barcelona stressed the approach's value for early MASLD, where mortality risks rise despite no inflammation. While animal results are encouraging, human trials are essential to validate efficacy and safety for this condition affecting 38% of adults globally, potentially offering affordable repurposed treatments alongside lifestyle changes.