Metabolic ketosis attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome activation and is associated with improvements in hepatic steatosis and liver stiffness in MASLD: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Sajad Ehtiati, Behzad Hatami, Seyyed Hossein Khatami et al.
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In 30 seconds
This pilot randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a C8-enriched medium-chain fatty acid formulation on metabolic and hepatic outcomes in 20 participants with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The intervention led to increased β-hydroxybutyrate levels and significant improvements in fasting serum glucose, HOMA-IR, body fat percentage, and BMI (all p < 0.05), alongside reductions in hepatic steatosis (p < 0.01) and liver stiffness.
Key findings
- The C8-enriched intervention increased β-hydroxybutyrate levels, indicating nutritional ketosis.
- Fasting serum glucose, HOMA-IR, body fat percentage, and BMI improved significantly (all p < 0.05).
- Caspase-1 mRNA expression decreased significantly (p < 0.05), while NLRP3 expression decreased at both transcriptional (p < 0.05) and protein levels (p < 0.01).
- Hepatic steatosis and liver stiffness measurements improved significantly (p < 0.01).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that metabolic ketosis may modulate inflammatory and metabolic pathways in MASLD, potentially offering a novel adjunctive strategy for managing this condition. Understanding these mechanisms could enhance treatment approaches for patients with liver disease.