Health

Hormone GDF15 reduces liver inflammation independent of weight loss in animal study

Researchers found that GDF15 triggers a brain-to-liver signaling pathway that suppresses immune activity and slows scarring in mouse models of MASH.

Updated Aug 24, 2026 · 00:32 UTC1 reports

The short version

McMaster University researchers discovered that the appetite-regulating hormone GDF15 directly suppresses liver inflammation and slows scarring.
The protective effect operates via a brain-to-liver neural pathway that releases glucocorticoids, functioning independently of changes in body weight or food intake.
The mechanism was demonstrated in preclinical mouse models, suggesting potential new combination strategies for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
Further research and clinical testing are required to confirm whether this pathway functions similarly and safely in human patients.

A study published in Cell Metabolism showed that GDF15 reduces liver inflammation and limits fibrosis independently of caloric intake or weight reduction.[ScienceDaily]
The hormone works by initiating a neural pathway from the brain that triggers the release of glucocorticoids, calming immune cell activity in the liver.[ScienceDaily]
The experiments were conducted in mouse models designed to replicate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a progressive form of fatty liver disease.[ScienceDaily]
The research was led by McMaster University scientists alongside collaborators from Novo Nordisk, which supplied the GDF15 hormone and research support.[ScienceDaily]

Because the findings are derived from preclinical mouse models, it remains unconfirmed whether GDF15 will produce identical anti-inflammatory benefits or safety profiles in humans with MASH.[ScienceDaily]