A NEW study has shed light on a promising biological marker that may help predict treatment success in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a condition affecting millions worldwide. MASLD, now recognised as the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries, is strongly linked with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk. Until recently, weight loss was the primary approach to manage the condition, as there are limited pharmacological options available.
Researchers investigated the role of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine, in predicting how well patients respond to weight loss. The team compared two groups of individuals with obesity and prediabetes or diabetes: one receiving GLP1-RA treatment and another undergoing lifestyle changes. Both groups aimed for a 7% reduction in body weight.
They found that individuals with higher baseline IL-1β levels in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) experienced greater improvements in liver health following weight loss. Importantly, the benefits were seen regardless of the intervention used. Moreover, weight loss led to a significant decrease in IL-1β levels, underlining the connection between reduced inflammation and improved metabolic health.
IL-1β, known to promote liver inflammation and fibrosis, may reflect the severity of MASLD and a patient’s potential for recovery. The study also found that sex did not significantly affect outcomes, suggesting broad applicability of IL-1β as a biomarker.
Given the variability in how individuals respond to MASLD treatment, identifying biomarkers like IL-1β could enable more personalised care. Unlike expensive or complex imaging techniques, measuring IL-1β in PBMCs is relatively simple and cost-effective, making it suitable for routine clinical use.
While the findings are preliminary and based on a limited sample size, they open the door to future research exploring IL-1β as a tool to guide interventions in MASLD, potentially improving outcomes in this increasingly common condition.
Reference
Simeone PG et al. Interleukin-1β in circulating mononuclear cells predicts steatotic liver disease improvement after weight loss in subjects with obesity and prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2025;24(1):247.
