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Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Optimized Analysis of In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatic Steatosis
Published on: March 11, 2017
Effect of intermittent fasting on hepatic steatosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Qinhan Liu1, Ling Zhang1, Yaomin Wang1
1Department of Pharmacy, the Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China; School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, 646000, China.
Background:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is marked by hepatic steatosis. While intermittent fasting (IF) lowers weight and lipids in obesity, its effect on MASLD-related liver fat remains unclear.
Methods:
We searched the databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase to find studies for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 17.0 were used to perform the meta-analysis, and the results were reported as mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD), along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results:
Finally, eight studies with 389 subjects were included. Meta-analysis showed that: 1) IF significantly improved liver fat content (MD = -3.01, 95% CI [-5.84, -0.18]; P = 0.04) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) in patients with MASLD (MD = -18.64, 95% CI [-30.29, -6.99]; P = 0.002). 2) IF reduced body weight, body mass index (BMI), and triglycerides (TG) in Patients with MASLD, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
IF improves hepatic steatosis in MASLD, suggesting a potential to modify disease progression. However, rigorous multicenter randomized trials are required to confirm these findings and develop evidence-based clinical strategies for MASLD management.
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