All articles tagged with #masld
A Healthline summary highlights a Nature Metabolism review suggesting that fructose—especially from ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages—may drive obesity and metabolic diseases by promoting fat production in the liver and disrupting metabolic pathways, with cautions that whole fruit is fine and a focus on reducing added fructose in processed foods.
University of Barcelona researchers found that pairing two approved drugs, pemafibrate and telmisartan, reversed liver fat in MASLD animal models and may reduce cardiovascular risk; the duo was effective at half-doses together, suggesting synergy and safer therapy. Telmisartan appears to upregulate PCK1, shifting metabolism away from lipid synthesis. Human trials are still needed.
Hepatologists warn that the liver can be damaged not only by alcohol but also by everyday drinks—especially fruit juice—because MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) can develop from metabolic syndrome. Excessive fruit juice can cause weight gain and insulin resistance, leading to fat buildup in the liver; fiber and whole fruit help protect the liver. Limit fruit juice, read sugar content, and consult a clinician or dietitian to tailor intake.
A Nature Aging study identifies a distinct population of p21+ Trem2+ senescent macrophages as major drivers of inflammaging. These cells exhibit a SASP and type I interferon signaling driven in part by cytosolic mitochondrial DNA, accumulate in aging livers and in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and are distinct from classic M1/M2 macrophages. In both mouse models and human tissue, senolytic treatment with ABT-263 reduces liver inflammation and steatosis, supporting macrophage senescence as a tractable target for aging-related liver disease.
Israeli researchers found that non-psychoactive cannabis compounds CBD and CBG can reverse liver damage in obese mice with MASLD by reprogramming liver energy use, boosting phosphocreatine reserves and lysosomal activity, and improving insulin resistance and lipid profiles. The treated mice showed reduced fat accumulation and inflammation without dietary changes, suggesting a new metabolic pathway to target in MASLD. However, these results are preclinical, and human relevance requires careful dosing considerations and clinical trials, as consumer CBD/CBG products vary in purity and concentration.
In obese mice fed a high-fat diet, CBD and CBG improved liver function, reduced hepatic fat, lowered blood lipids, and enhanced insulin sensitivity, with CBG generally more effective. The benefits appear to arise from reprogramming hepatic energy and lysosomal pathways rather than activating classic cannabinoid receptors, and were achieved via abdominal injections. While promising for MASLD, human relevance remains to be tested and CBD product quality is variable.
New research shows non-psychoactive cannabis compounds CBD and CBG can significantly reduce liver fat and cholesterol, improve liver energy metabolism, and restore cellular cleanup (lysosomal) function, offering a plant-based approach to MASLD, the world’s most common chronic liver disease. The study also found both compounds normalize blood sugar, with CBG showing stronger effects on fat reduction and insulin sensitivity; further research is needed to translate these findings into treatments.
University of Oklahoma researchers found that giving indole, a compound produced by beneficial gut bacteria, to pregnant and nursing mice on a high-fat, high-sugar diet significantly lowered fatty liver risk and improved metabolic health in their offspring later in life. The protective effect correlated with activation of the gut AHR signaling pathway and favorable shifts in liver lipids, including ceramides. Transferring the protected offspring’s microbiome to other mice also conferred protection, underscoring the microbiome’s central role. While human applications require more study, the work suggests early prevention of MASLD through maternal microbiome modulation.
A study in animal models suggests that a combination of two common heart medications, pemafibrate and telmisartan, may reverse fat accumulation in the liver, offering a potential new treatment for early-stage fatty liver disease (MASLD). However, further clinical research is needed before these drugs can be recommended for human treatment.
A large study links both sugary and diet (low-calorie) drinks to increased risk of fatty liver disease, suggesting water as the safest beverage choice to reduce liver health risks.
A large UK study found that both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks are associated with a higher risk of liver disease (MASLD), with artificially sweetened drinks potentially being more harmful, highlighting water as the safest beverage choice.
A new study suggests that consuming more than one can of diet or regular soda daily may increase the risk of liver disease (MASLD), with artificially sweetened beverages also linked to higher liver-related mortality. Replacing soda with water could reduce this risk, highlighting the importance of healthier beverage choices for liver health.
A new study suggests that consuming over one can of both regular and diet sodas daily may increase the risk of liver disease, particularly MASLD, with low or non-sugar-sweetened beverages also linked to higher liver-related mortality. The findings challenge the perception that diet drinks are healthier, highlighting the potential liver health risks associated with both types of beverages and emphasizing water as the safest choice.
A study from USC reveals that among patients with MASLD, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol significantly increase the risk of death, with high blood pressure being more deadly than diabetes, highlighting key areas for targeted treatment.
A new study finds that among the risk factors for the common liver disease MASLD, high blood pressure, prediabetes or diabetes, and low HDL cholesterol pose the greatest risk of death, with high blood pressure surprisingly more deadly than diabetes, highlighting key areas for targeted treatment.