New Study Links Vitamin B3 to Improved Liver Health in Fatty Liver Disease

A new study suggests that a common nutrient-vitamin B3-may help treat metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, a condition that affects nearly 30% of people worldwide and currently has limited treatment options. The findings are published in the journal Metabolism.

Researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology and partner institutions discovered that a small molecule called microRNA-93 plays a major role in the disease. MicroRNAs are tiny molecules that control how genes work. In this case, high levels of miR-93 were found in people and animals with fatty liver disease.

The study showed that miR-93 worsens liver health by blocking a helpful gene called SIRT1. This gene is important for controlling how the liver processes fat. When SIRT1 is suppressed, fat builds up in the liver, leading to inflammation, scarring, and reduced liver function.

To confirm this, scientists reduced miR-93 levels in mice using gene-editing techniques. The results were promising—mice had less fat in their livers, better insulin sensitivity, and improved overall liver health. On the other hand, higher levels of miR-93 made the condition worse.

The most exciting finding came when researchers tested 150 existing drugs. They found that vitamin B3 (niacin) was the most effective in lowering miR-93 levels. In treated mice, niacin restored SIRT1 activity and improved fat metabolism in the liver.

Since vitamin B3 is already widely used and considered safe, it could become a new, affordable treatment option. However, more human studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in treating fatty liver disease.

REFERENCE: Yo Han Lee, Jinyoung Lee, et al.; Hepatic miR-93 promotes the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease by suppressing SIRT1. Metabolism, 2025; 169: 156266 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2025.156266