How the Liver’s Metabolism Affects Weight Loss – A New Study Explains

Nutrition & Weight LossMarch 20, 2025

Many people feel frustrated when weight loss slows after an initial period of success. Researchers may have found a way to keep the body burning energy efficiently, even when progress stalls. A recent study uncovered a genetic factor that affects how the liver processes carbohydrates and fats. This discovery could lead to new approaches for long-term weight management.

A Surprising Genetic Discovery

Scientists from the University of Southern Denmark (USD) identified a gene called plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein (Plvap). This gene was previously linked only to blood vessel function. However, researchers now believe it plays a key role in energy metabolism.

Instagram | diana.grytsku | Targeting a liver gene could provide long-term weight management solutions.

During fasting, the liver normally shifts from burning carbohydrates to using fatty acids for energy. However, when researchers removed the Plvap gene in mice, this switch did not happen. Instead, the liver kept using carbohydrates, maintaining a steady metabolic rate. This suggests that modifying this gene could help prevent the metabolic slowdown that often occurs with weight loss.

How This Discovery Affects Weight Management

Weight loss medications work well, but many people eventually hit a plateau. This happens because the body adjusts to a lower calorie intake, making further weight loss harder. According to Associate Professor Kim Ravnskjaer from USD, altering how the liver burns sugar and fat could make treatments more effective.

“If we can regulate how the liver processes carbohydrates and fats, we may enhance the results of weight loss treatments and diabetes medications,” Ravnskjaer explained.

In the study, mice without the Plvap gene continued using carbohydrates for energy. Excess fat was redirected to muscles instead of being stored in the liver. The mice showed no negative effects, raising the possibility that humans could also benefit from this metabolic adjustment.

Potential Applications for Future Treatments

Researchers believe targeting Plvap could help prevent metabolic adaptation, a common issue with weight loss. Many drugs, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work well initially but become less effective over time. If scientists can develop a therapy that maintains the liver’s metabolic activity, it may help people continue losing weight without hitting a plateau.

Ravnskjaer emphasized that this research is still in its early stages. “Developing a therapy based on these findings will take time, but this discovery offers a promising direction for future treatments.”

A New Approach to Metabolic Health

Freepik | brgfx | Removing the Plvap gene, related to liver fibrosis, results in enhanced insulin signaling.

The Plvap gene is also linked to liver fibrosis, but its role in metabolism was previously unknown. The study found that removing this gene increased insulin signaling in the liver and improved glucose tolerance. This could benefit not only weight management but also conditions like type 2 diabetes.

The researchers explained their findings in their study. “Eliminating Plvap in hepatic stellate cells increased insulin sensitivity and changed the liver’s fasting metabolism from fatty acid utilization to carbohydrate usage,” they wrote.

Looking Ahead

More research is needed before these findings can be applied to human treatments. However, this discovery marks a major step in understanding metabolism. If scientists can control how the liver processes energy, it could lead to new weight loss and metabolic disorder treatments.

Future therapies may help people maintain weight loss by keeping their metabolism active. This research shows that small genetic changes can have a big impact on health, opening the door to innovative solutions for weight management and metabolic diseases.