Study suggests phospholipid therapy may impact fatty liver disease outcomes
pharmafile | April 29, 2026 | News story | Research and Development |Â Â fatty liver disease, phospholipid therapyÂ
A randomised clinical trial has reported that treatment with essential phospholipids (Essentiale) may reduce liver fat and improve symptoms in patients with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), compared with lifestyle changes alone.
The EXCEL trial, described as a multi-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, evaluated patients in Germany and Poland with MASLD and at least one metabolic comorbidity, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity or hyperlipidaemia.
All participants received dietary and exercise advice, with one group also treated with essential phospholipids. After six months, patients receiving the additional therapy showed a greater reduction in liver fat, measured using non-invasive imaging, compared with those relying on lifestyle measures alone.
The study also reported improvements in fatigue, a common and often under-recognised symptom of MASLD. This was assessed using a disease-specific questionnaire designed to capture patient-reported wellbeing. In addition, reductions in HbA1c were observed, suggesting a potential benefit for glycaemic control in patients with co-existing diabetes.
MASLD, often referred to as fatty liver disease, is estimated to affect around 30% of adults globally – a proportion that is projected to rise to 55% by 2041.
It is frequently linked to metabolic conditions and although it can be asymptomatic, many patients experience fatigue, abdominal discomfort and other symptoms that affect quality of life.
For patients, treatment options beyond lifestyle modification remain limited, particularly for those who struggle to achieve sufficient improvement through diet and exercise alone. The findings suggest that supplementary therapies may have a role in addressing both liver-related and metabolic aspects of the disease.
The trial reported a safety profile for essential phospholipids comparable to placebo.
Further research will be needed to confirm the findings and to determine how the therapy could be integrated into routine care.
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