Aspirin, a widely known pain reliever, may hold promise for combating the most common chronic liver disease, metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), according to a clinical trial conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital. Affecting up to a third of U.S. adults, MASLD is marked by excessive liver fat due to factors like obesity and Type 2 diabetes. This condition can lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Senior author Andrew T. Chan, a gastroenterologist at MGH and professor at Harvard Medical School, highlighted aspirin’s potential as a cost-effective option for reducing liver fat and preventing MASLD from progressing to severe outcomes. The trial was conducted because aspirin is known to reduce inflammation and affect fat metabolism.
The Phase 2 study included 80 adults with MASLD, who were randomly assigned to receive either daily low-dose aspirin or a placebo for six months. By the end of the study, those taking aspirin showed an average reduction in liver fat content of 6.6 percent, while those on the placebo experienced a 3.6 percent increase. This resulted in a net reduction of 10.2 percent with aspirin, compared to placebo.
Lead author Tracey G. Simon, a hepatologist at MGH and an instructor at Harvard Medical School, noted that multiple noninvasive tests for liver fat, inflammation, and fibrosis showed consistent benefits favoring aspirin treatment. Moreover, aspirin was safe, well-tolerated, and improved markers of liver health.
While these findings are promising, further research is needed to confirm whether prolonged aspirin use can prevent long-term health issues associated with MASLD. However, this trial provides a hopeful glimpse into aspirin’s potential as a low-cost treatment option for this prevalent condition.
Read More: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/03/aspirin-cuts-liver-fat-in-trial/
