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Oklahoma City, OK – A groundbreaking new study reveals that a mother’s diet high in fat and sugars during pregnancy can significantly impact her unborn child’s liver health, potentially leading to long-term liver stress and an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Published in the journal Liver International, the research highlights the critical role of bile acids in fetal liver development. Bile acids, essential for digestion, can become toxic at high levels, causing liver damage. While mothers can effectively detoxify these acids, fetuses lack this ability. When a mother consumes a high-fat, high-sugar diet, excess bile acids can accumulate in the fetal liver, setting the stage for future health complications.
The study found that offspring of mothers who consumed a “Western diet” (high in fat and sugars) exhibited signs of liver damage by the time they reached juvenile age. These signs included increased collagen levels, indicative of fibrosis (scar tissue buildup), and activation of liver cells involved in fibrosis. Furthermore, the high-fat diet altered gene expression related to bile acid processing in the offspring’s livers, changes that persisted even after weaning, regardless of the offspring’s subsequent diet.
“It’s a huge public health concern, as we know mothers with obesity or those eating a poor diet can predispose the next generation to a risk for obesity, diabetes and other metabolic diseases beginning in the womb, thus completing a vicious cycle from mother to infant,” stated Jed Friedman, Ph.D., co-senior author of the study and associate vice provost for diabetes programs at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences.
The research also revealed an increased number of bile duct cells in the offspring, suggesting the liver was attempting to compensate for the damage caused by the elevated bile acids.
“This study provides evidence that MASLD originates in the womb, influenced at least in part by a mother’s high-fat diet,” Friedman said. “The discovery of elevated bile acid levels in fetuses may provide insights into the early stages of MASLD and its progression before it worsens.”
MASLD, a condition affecting up to 30% of youth, poses a significant public health challenge. The study underscores the importance of maternal dietary choices during pregnancy in shaping the lifelong health of their children.
“A mother’s diet during pregnancy plays a powerful role in shaping her baby’s future health. By making healthy food choices, moms can help lower their child’s risk of developing metabolic diseases like MASLD later in life,” Friedman emphasized.
The researchers, including co-senior author Stephanie Wesolowski, Ph.D., of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, hope that these findings will lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for MASLD.
More information: Michael J. Nash et al, Maternal Western Diet Programmes Bile Acid Dysregulation and Hepatic Fibrosis in Fetal and Juvenile Macaques, Liver International (2025). DOI: 10.1111/liv.16236
Disclaimer: This news article is based on the provided research study and should not be taken as medical advice. Pregnant individuals should consult with their healthcare provider for personalized dietary recommendations and to address any health concerns. The information presented reflects the findings of the study and may not represent the views of all medical professionals. Further research is necessary to fully understand the long-term effects of maternal diet on fetal liver development.
