A 4-week study of 30 adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease found that resistance exercise combined with calorie restriction significantly increased plasma irisin levels, while calorie restriction alone did not.
- Resistance exercise plus calorie restriction increased irisin levels by 2.24 ng/mL in MASLD patients
- Adding whey protein to exercise and calorie restriction produced an even larger increase of 4.86 ng/mL
- Higher irisin levels correlated with reduced liver fat, suggesting irisin may indicate liver health improvements
How this compares to prior research
Previous research has established that irisin is a myokine released during physical activity and may play a role in metabolic health. While calorie restriction has been a standard recommendation for MASLD management, the specific effects of combining resistance exercise and protein supplementation on irisin levels in this patient population had not been well characterized. This study builds on prior work by examining whether exercise adds metabolic benefits beyond calorie restriction alone.
Prevalence trends in metabolic liver disease, global data, 1990–1999
Key findings
- Plasma irisin levels increased significantly in groups doing resistance exercise (2.24 ng/mL increase) and exercise plus whey protein (4.86 ng/mL increase), but not in the calorie restriction only group
- Muscle mass increased significantly only in the group receiving both resistance exercise and whey protein supplementation
- Changes in irisin levels were negatively correlated with changes in liver fat (r = -0.459), suggesting irisin may serve as a biomarker for hepatic steatosis improvement
What this means in practice
- Consider adding resistance training to your weight loss plan if you have fatty liver disease, as exercise appears more effective than diet alone
- Ask your doctor about combining whey protein supplementation with exercise for potentially greater metabolic benefits
- Track your progress through both weight loss and muscle maintenance, as preserving muscle mass may support liver health improvements
Frequently asked questions
What is MASLD and how common is it?
MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) is a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver. The study focused on patients with this condition undergoing lifestyle interventions.
How much exercise did participants do in the study?
Participants performed full-body resistance exercises 5 days per week at 50-75% of their one-repetition maximum for 4 weeks while following a calorie-restricted diet.
Why does irisin matter for liver health?
Irisin is a hormone released during exercise. In this study, increases in irisin levels were associated with reductions in liver fat, suggesting it may reflect liver health improvements.
Key terms explained
Irisin
A hormone released by muscles during exercise that may influence metabolism and fat storage in organs like the liver
Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)
A non-invasive measurement that estimates the amount of fat accumulated in the liver tissue
One-repetition maximum
The maximum weight a person can lift for a single repetition of an exercise with proper form
Source: Effects of Resistance Exercise and Whey Protein Supplementation on Irisin Levels in Patients with MASLD Under a Calorie-Restricted Diet. · DOI: pii: 1272. doi: 10.3390/nu18081272