Fiber enrichment is not superior to dietary monitoring in MASLD: A dual-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Annette Brandt - , University of Vienna (Author)
  • Timur Yergaliyev - , University of Hohenheim (Author)
  • Emina Halibasic - , Medical University of Vienna (Author)
  • Aline Cyba - , RWTH Aachen University (Author)
  • Julius W. Jaeger - , RWTH Aachen University, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Else Kröner-Fresenius Center for Digital Health (EKFZ) (Author)
  • Rongpeng Gong - , RWTH Aachen University (Author)
  • Angélica Hernández-Arriaga - , University of Hohenheim (Author)
  • Carolin Victoria Schneider - , RWTH Aachen University, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine (Author)
  • Wilhelm Sjöland - , University of Gothenburg, Harvard University (Author)
  • Antonio Molinaro - , University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Author)
  • Michael Trauner - , Medical University of Vienna (Author)
  • Christian Trautwein - , RWTH Aachen University, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Klinikum Stuttgart (Author)
  • Amélia Camarinha-Silva - , University of Hohenheim (Author)
  • Ina Bergheim - , University of Vienna (Author)
  • Kai Markus Schneider - , Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Department of Internal Medicine I, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health, RWTH Aachen University (Author)

Abstract

Dietary fiber enrichment may modulate intestinal microbiota and positively impact metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dual-center study evaluated the effects of dietary fiber (oat bran and spelt bran) on MASLD. After a 3-week Run-in phase during which dietary intake was assessed, 48 patients (CAP >280 dB, no fibrosis) were assigned to oat bran (4.5 g oat β-glucan, total fiber 11.7 g/day), spelt bran (11.7 g fiber/day), or placebo (2.1 g fiber/day) for 12 weeks. During the Run-in phase, dietary assessment alone significantly decreased BMI and liver enzymes (ALT, AST, γ-GT) while increasing microbiota diversity. Improvements were maintained in all three intervention groups. However, no significant changes were observed in hepatic steatosis (CAP), overall microbiota composition, and serum bile acid profiles. Dietary assessment alone improved MASLD biomarkers, with the fiber supplementation offering no additional benefit. This highlights the importance of dietary counseling in MASLD management. (clinical trials: NCT03897218).

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number114019
JournaliScience
Volume28
Issue number12
Publication statusPublished - 19 Dec 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • clinical nutrition, human metabolism