Researchers at McMaster University have uncovered an unexpected role for a naturally occurring hormone already known for reducing appetite and supporting weight loss. The hormone appears to protect the liver from inflammation through a previously unknown signaling pathway, a finding that could point toward new approaches for treating advanced fatty liver disease.
The study, published in Cell Metabolism on August 10, 2026, found that GDF15 can reduce liver inflammation and slow the development of liver scarring even when weight loss does not occur. The result challenges the long-held view that the hormone's benefits are primarily tied to its effects on appetite and body weight.
A New Target for Advanced Fatty Liver Disease
Millions of people around the world are affected by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), an advanced form of fatty liver disease that can eventually lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. New weight loss medications have helped improve outcomes for many patients, but inflammation in the liver can remain even after substantial weight loss.
By identifying a biological pathway that directly regulates this inflammation, the new findings suggest that future therapies could potentially target liver inflammation alongside existing treatments focused on weight and liver fat.
