Short-Term Changes in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Related Circulating Biomarkers Following a Very-Low Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD): A Paired Longitudinal Analysis
5 affiliations
- 1Data Science Unit, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Bari, Italy
- 2Core Facility Biobank, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Bari, Italy
- 3Center of Nutrition for the Research and the Care of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Bari, Italy
- 4Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Bari, Italy
- 5Scientific Direction, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS “Saverio de Bellis”, 70013 Bari, Italy
Abstract
Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Its prevalence is constantly increasing, particularly among obese individuals. Lifestyle modifications remain the first-line intervention for the management and treatment of MASLD. The most widely recommended dietary regime for MASLD is the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet). Despite its countless benefits, this dietary regimen is difficult to follow in some cases. This study aimed to assess the effects of an 8-week Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) in obese patients with MASLD. Methods: The study included 55 obese adults aged 18–64 years, recruited from the Center of Nutrition for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases, National Institute of Gastroenterology “Saverio de Bellis” Research Hospital (Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy). Anthropometry, body composition (BIA), liver status (FibroScan®), serum biochemistry and circulating biomarkers of adipose dysfunction were assessed at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1). Results: Significant improvements in liver steatosis (CAP p < 0.0001), liver stiffness (p = 0.0005), anthropometric parameters (waist p < 0.0001), and body composition (FM p <0.0001) were observed. A significant reduction in leptin levels and an increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG p < 0.0001) were also observed. Conclusions: In this uncontrolled pre-post analysis, the 8-week VLCKD intervention was associated with improvements in hepatic steatosis, body weight, and fat mass, and selected circulating biomarkers of adipose tissue dysfunction in adults with obesity and MASLD.
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BibTeX
@article{tatoli2026shortterm,
title = {{Short-Term Changes in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Related Circulating Biomarkers Following a Very-Low Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD): A Paired Longitudinal Analysis}},
author = {Rossella Tatoli and Rossella Donghia and Pasqua Letizia Pesole and Martina Di Chito and Dolores Stabile and Annalisa Ferro and Anna Ancona and Gianluigi Casimo and Gianluigi Giannelli},
journal = {Nutrients},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/nu18203397},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3397},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Short-Term Changes in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Related Circulating Biomarkers Following a Very-Low Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD): A Paired Longitudinal Analysis
AU - Rossella Tatoli
AU - Rossella Donghia
AU - Pasqua Letizia Pesole
AU - Martina Di Chito
AU - Dolores Stabile
AU - Annalisa Ferro
AU - Anna Ancona
AU - Gianluigi Casimo
AU - Gianluigi Giannelli
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Nutrients
DO - 10.3390/nu18203397
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3397
AB - Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Its prevalence is constantly increasing, particularly among obese individuals. Lifestyle modifications remain the first-line intervention for the management and treatment of MASLD. The most widely recommended dietary regime for MASLD is the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet). Despite its countless benefits, this dietary regimen is difficult to follow in some cases. This study aimed to assess the effects of an 8-week Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) in obese patients with MASLD. Methods: The study included 55 obese adults aged 18–64 years, recruited from the Center of Nutrition for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases, National Institute of Gastroenterology “Saverio de Bellis” Research Hospital (Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy). Anthropometry, body composition (BIA), liver status (FibroScan®), serum biochemistry and circulating biomarkers of adipose dysfunction were assessed at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1). Results: Significant improvements in liver steatosis (CAP p < 0.0001), liver stiffness (p = 0.0005), anthropometric parameters (waist p < 0.0001), and body composition (FM p <0.0001) were observed. A significant reduction in leptin levels and an increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG p < 0.0001) were also observed. Conclusions: In this uncontrolled pre-post analysis, the 8-week VLCKD intervention was associated with improvements in hepatic steatosis, body weight, and fat mass, and selected circulating biomarkers of adipose tissue dysfunction in adults with obesity and MASLD.
SN - 2072-6643
ER -