Specific metabolic impairments indicate loss of sustained liver improvements in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease treatment

Background:High liver fat content(LFC)induces increased risks of both hepatic and extrahepatic progression in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD),while maintaining a significant decline in magnetic resonance imaging-based proton density fat fraction(MRI-PDFF)(≥30%decline relative to baseline)without worsening fibrosis results in improved histological severity and prognosis.However,the factors associated with the loss of sustained responses to treatment remain unclear,and we aim to identify them.Methods:Consecutive treatment-naïve MASLD patients between January 2015 and February 2022,with follow-up until April 2023,were included in this prospective cohort study.LFC quantified by MRI-PDFF and liver stiffness measurements(LSM)determined by two-dimensional shear wave elastography(2D-SWE)were evaluated at weeks 0,24 and 48.MRI-PDFF response was defined as a≥30%relative decline in PDFF values,and LSM response was defined as a≥1 stage decline from baseline.Results:A total of 602 MASLD patients were enrolled.Of the 303 patients with a 24-week MRI-PDFF response and complete follow-up of 48 weeks,the rate of loss of MRI-PDFF response was 29.4%,and multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that 24-week insulin resistance(IR),still regular exercise and caloric restriction after 24 weeks,and the relative decline in LFC were risk factors for loss of MRI-PDFF response.Loss of LSM response at 48 weeks occurred in 15.9%of patients,and multivariable analysis confirmed 24-week serum total bile acid(TBA)levels and the relative decline in TBA from baseline as independent predictors.No significant association was found at 48 weeks between loss of MRI-PDFF response and loss of LSM response.Conclusions:MASLD patients with IR and high TBA levels are at higher risks of subsequent diminished sustained improvements of steatosis and fibrosis,respectively.