McMaster University researchers find GDF15 hormone protects liver

Researchers at McMaster University have discovered that the hormone GDF15, previously known for suppressing appetite and aiding weight loss, also plays a critical role in protecting the liver from inflammation and fibrosis.

The study, published in the journal ‘Cell Metabolism’, reveals a previously unknown signaling pathway where GDF15 communicates from the brain to the liver via the nervous system. This process triggers the release of glucocorticoids, which help limit liver inflammation and slow the development of scarring.

Crucially, these protective effects appear to function independently of weight loss, food intake, or the amount of fat in the liver. This finding is significant for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a condition affecting millions that can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure. The discovery suggests that future therapies could target liver inflammation directly, potentially alongside existing weight-loss treatments.