Effects of a Bioactive Vegetable-Enriched Diet on Autotaxin and Liver Fibrosis in MASLD with Evidence of Sex-Specific Responses: A Pilot Study

Nicole Cerabino ¹, Caterina Bonfiglio ², Leonilde Bonfrate ^1,3

⁰Center of Nutrition for the Research and the Care of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases, National Institute of Gastroenterology IRCCS "Saverio de Bellis", Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy.

Nutrients +

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December 11, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

A vegetable-rich diet lowered serum autotaxin (ATX) levels and improved metabolic health in individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Women showed a greater reduction in ATX, indicating potential sex-based differences.

Area Of Science

Nutritional Science
Hepatology
Biochemistry

Background

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is linked to obesity and metabolic disorders.
Autotaxin (ATX) is an emerging biomarker for metabolic inflammation and liver disease.
The impact of vegetable-based diets on ATX in MASLD is not well-established.

Purpose Of The Study

To assess the short-term effects of a vegetable-enriched diet on serum ATX levels in obese individuals with MASLD.
To evaluate the diet's impact on metabolic and liver parameters, considering sex differences.
To explore ATX as a modifiable biomarker in MASLD.

Main Methods

A two-month pilot study involving 44 obese adults (BMI > 30 kg/m²).
Clinical and instrumental assessments were conducted before and after the dietary intervention.
Serum ATX levels, metabolic markers, and liver indices were analyzed.

Main Results

Serum ATX levels significantly decreased post-intervention (p < 0.001).
Improvements were observed in BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipids, and liver enzymes (ALT, AST, γGT).
Women showed a more significant reduction in ATX compared to men (p = 0.005 vs. p = 0.014).

Conclusions

A short-term, vegetable-enriched diet effectively reduces ATX levels and improves metabolic and liver health in MASLD patients.
Greater ATX reduction in women suggests potential sex-based differences in dietary response or ATX metabolism.
ATX may be a modifiable biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for metabolic liver disease.

Keywords:

Brassicaceae MASLD autotaxin liver fibrosis lysophosphatidic acid vegetable-enriched diet