Gut microbiome and metabolite profiles are associated with subsequent histologic MASH in a longitudinal mouse model.

Gut microbial families Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospiraceae are enriched in non-MASH mice and linked to lower fatty acids before histologic MASH onset.

• Why it matters: Early detection of MASH is crucial for preventing fibrosis, but current methods struggle to identify metabolic dysfunction before disease develops. Understanding preclinical microbial and metabolic markers can enable earlier intervention.
• What they did: Using a longitudinal mouse model, the study combined 16S rRNA and untargeted LC-MS/MS analyses to track microbial and metabolite changes weeks before MASH appears, and validated findings in a human MAFLD cohort.
• The result: Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospiraceae are associated with disease resistance, and metabolite profiles vary with collection time, emphasizing circadian influences; these features may inform time-sensitive diagnostics and interventions.