The most common chronic liver disease, metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), affects up to a third of U.S. adults and is characterized by an increased buildup of fat in the liver due to factors such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes. However, a recent clinical trial conducted by investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital suggests that aspirin could potentially serve as a treatment for this condition.

The trial, published in JAMA, focused on the potential of aspirin to reduce liver fat content. The study involved 80 adults with MASLD who were randomized to receive daily low-dose aspirin or a placebo for six months. The results revealed a significant reduction in liver fat content among those who received aspirin, with an average decrease of 10.2 percent compared to the placebo group.

The senior author of the study, Andrew T. Chan, a gastroenterologist and a professor at Harvard Medical School, highlighted the significance of these findings, emphasizing that aspirin could represent a low-cost option to prevent the progression of MASLD to more severe complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Lead author and principal investigator Tracey G. Simon, a hepatologist and an instructor at the Medical School, also noted that the aspirin was well-tolerated and improved various markers of liver health. Multiple noninvasive blood and imaging-based tests for liver fat, inflammation, and fibrosis showed a similar direction of benefit favoring aspirin treatment, indicating the potential for aspirin to provide benefits for patients with MASLD.

While the results are promising, the researchers emphasized the need for additional studies to determine whether continued aspirin use can reduce individuals’ risk of long-term health complications associated with MASLD.

These findings open up new possibilities for the treatment of MASLD and offer hope for individuals affected by this prevalent chronic liver disease.