Iturin derived from Bacillus modulates lipid and glucose metabolism while mitigating the progression of MASLD

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a metabolic disorder associated with modern dietary patterns, urgently requires safe dietary interventions for prevention. This study explored the bioactivity of iturin (IT), a Bacillus-derived lipopeptide, in modulating hepatic lipid/glucose metabolism and alleviating MASLD. IT supplementation ameliorated MASLD and metabolic dysregulation in high-fat diet-fed mice, evidenced by reduced body weight, attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation, and improved glucose homeostasis. Concurrently, IT altered gut microbiota composition and modified bile acid metabolism profiles. At the mechanistic level, decreased hepatic Cd36 expression was observed in mice receiving IT supplementation. These findings highlight IT as a dietary bioactive compound targeting lipid and glucose metabolism, offering a potential strategy for mitigating MASLD progression through functional food or nutraceutical applications.