Vitamin D2026-06

Vitamin D attenuates Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and downregulates hepatic gluconeogenesis in obesity.

Cordeiro Maiara M, Lucredi Naiara Cristina, Pateis Vanesa Oliveira, Souza Gustavo Henrique et al. — The Journal of nutritional biochemistry

Summary

Research in obese rats shows vitamin D supplementation can improve Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) by reducing liver fat and improving insulin sensitivity. It also helps control high blood sugar by lowering liver glucose production. This suggests vitamin D has therapeutic potential for MASLD and managing obesity-related hyperglycemia.

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Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is often linked to vitamin D deficiency. Insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in MASLD and is tied to an abnormal activation of hepatic gluconeogenesis, contributing to the hyperglycemia found in this condition. This study evaluated whether vitamin D supplementation improves MASLD and reduces hepatic glucose production in cafeteria diet-induced obese rats. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and IR were additionally assessed both systemically and in the liver. Gluconeogenic and glycogenolytic fluxes were measured in perfused livers. Wistar rats received a cafeteria or standard diet for 60 days and remained on these diets for another 5 weeks; during this period, a subgroup in each condition received weekly vitamin D (5,600 IU/kg) by oral gavage. The cafeteria diet promoted obesity, MASLD, IR, oxidative stress and inflammation. Obese rats displayed elevated hepatic gluconeogenesis from lactate and intensified glycogenolysis and glycolysis. Vitamin D supplementation reduced food intake and body weight gain and improved IR and glucose tolerance, changes accompanied by lower hepatic steatosis. The treatment decreased hepatic mRNA expression of NF-κB, TNFα, and IL-6, and increased Nrf2 expression. It also elevated vitamin D receptor, sirtuin-1 and FGF21/β-klotho axis expression, findings associated with higher IRS-2 and Nrf2 expression and lower NF-κB expression. Vitamin D reduced the elevated gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in obese rats, as determined by direct metabolic flux measurements, likely due to improvements in IR/MASLD. The results support the therapeutic potential of vitamin D in MASLD induced by a cafeteria diet that resembles obesogenic human dietary patterns and suggest benefits for controlling hyperglycemia in obesity.

View on PubMed →DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2026.110450