New Genetic Markers and Vitamin B3 Offer Hope in Managing MASLD Progression

Approximately 30% of the global population suffers from metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), a condition previously lacking specific targeted treatments. Recent research has uncovered a genetic factor that contributes to the worsening of MASLD, highlighting the role of microRNA-93 (miR-93) in disease progression. This liver-expressed microRNA promotes lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis by inhibiting SIRT1, a critical gene involved in lipid metabolism.

A collaborative effort led by Professor Jang Hyun Choi from UNIST, alongside counterparts from Pusan National University and Ulsan University Hospital, revealed that elevated levels of miR-93 are found in both patients with fatty liver disease and relevant animal models. Molecular studies demonstrated that reducing miR-93 levels in mice resulted in decreased hepatic fat accumulation and improved insulin sensitivity and liver function. Conversely, overexpression of miR-93 exacerbated liver metabolic dysfunction.

Strikingly, drug screening identified niacin (vitamin B3) as the most effective FDA-approved medication to suppress miR-93. Treatment with niacin significantly lowered liver miR-93 levels and increased SIRT1 activity, which restored lipid metabolic pathways and helped normalize liver lipid balance. This suggests that niacin, a well-established medication, could be repurposed as a therapeutic agent for MASLD through modulation of this genetic pathway.

The findings underscore the potential of targeting specific microRNAs to treat fatty liver disease and demonstrate how an existing safe medication like vitamin B3 could be integrated into new treatment strategies. This research opens promising avenues for personalized therapy in MASLD, emphasizing the importance of molecular genetics in disease management.

Published in the journal Metabolism, the study highlights the clinical relevance of repurposing known drugs for new indications and provides a foundation for future therapeutic development in fatty liver disease.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-genetic-factor-worsening-masld-vitamin.html