Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
LIFE-BASEL, cilt.15, sa.5, ss.1-19, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Background: This randomized controlled study sought to determine the effect of
intermittent fasting on anthropometric measurements, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21,
and autophagy markers, as well as on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis levels in overweight or
obese patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Methods:
Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: received a dietary treatment involving
22–25 kcal/kg/day of energy for 8 weeks and followed the same dietary intervention and
a 16:8 pattern. The extent of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis was determined using transient
elastography on a FibroScan® device. The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver
stiffness measurement (LSM), determined by transient elastography, reflect hepatic steatosis
and fibrosis, respectively. In duplicate, serum levels of FGF-21, Beclin-1, and ATG-5 were
determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The study included
48 patients with a mean age of 48.2 ± 1.4 years (27 female and 21 male). Improvements in
anthropometric measurement and CAP and LSM levels and a decrease in serum FGF-21
levels were found in both groups (p < 0.05). Changes in the CAP and FGF-21 levels were
higher in the energy + time-restricted diet group (p < 0.05). Autophagy-related protein
(ATG)-5 levels increased only in the energy + time-restricted diet group [(0.74 (0.46–1.29)
ng/mL vs. 0.95 (0.73–1.32) ng/mL, p = 0.03]. Conclusions: Intermittent fasting was
potentially practical in the management of MAFLD. In particular, changes in FGF-21 and
ATG-5 levels indicate the potential of intermittent fasting to regulate metabolic processes
and autophagy. However, methodological limitations should be taken into consideration
when interpreting the study results.