Butyrate or Intensive Lifestyle Modification in Type 1 Diabetes and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Summary

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is highly prevalent in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and is associated with increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk. However, evidence regarding effective therapeutic strategies for MASLD in T1D remains scarce. Lifestyle modification has shown benefits in obesity and type 2 diabetes, whereas butyrate, a microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acid, has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach because of its anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of intensive lifestyle modification, butyrate supplementation, or their combination on hepatic steatosis in individuals with T1D and MASLD.

Methods: BEAM-T1D is a factorial, randomized, 6-month, parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted at the Regional University Hospital of Malaga. A total of 200 adults with T1D and MASLD will be randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive: (1) standard lifestyle recommendations plus placebo; (2) intensive lifestyle modification plus placebo; (3) standard lifestyle recommendations plus butyrate; or (4) intensive lifestyle modification plus butyrate. Intensive lifestyle modification includes a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet and promotion of physical activity. Participants randomized to butyrate will receive 2.25 g/day of microencapsulated sodium butyrate. The primary endpoint will be the change in controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) measured by transient elastography (FibroScan®). Secondary outcomes include changes in liver fat content, insulin resistance, metabolic control, body composition, inflammatory markers, gut microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acid concentrations.

Results: Participant recruitment is expected to begin in October 2025. The study will evaluate the independent and combined effects of butyrate supplementation and intensive lifestyle modification on hepatic steatosis and metabolic outcomes in individuals with T1D and MASLD.

Conclusion: The BEAM-T1D study will provide novel evidence regarding the potential role of butyrate and intensive lifestyle modification in the management of MASLD in T1D. If effective, these interventions could represent feasible and scalable therapeutic strategies for a population with limited evidence-based treatment options.

Conditions

• Type 1 Diabetes

Interventions

OTHER

Intensive lifestyle modification (hypocaloric Mediterranean diet and promotion of physical activity)

Participants will be advised to follow a Mediterranean diet, characterized by the use of olive oil as the main source of fat, regular consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish, reduced consumption of red meat and processed meats, and elimination of sugar-sweetened beverages, industrial pastries, and confectionery. The Mediterranean diet will include a 30% energy restriction based on estimated energy needs (Harris-Benedict equation). Participants will also be advised to perform ≥150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, distributed over at least 3 days, with no more than 2 consecutive days without activity, and to perform 2-3 resistance training sessions per week on non-consecutive days. This group will receive microencapsulated placebo.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Butyrate

Participants randomized to this group will receive microencapsulated sodium butyrate (MSB). Each sachet contains 750 mg sodium butyrate and 1750 mg triglyceride matrix (total 2,500 mg). Participants will take 3 sachets daily (total daily dose: 2.25 g butyrate): one in the morning, one at midday, and one in the evening.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Intensive lifestyle modification + butyrate

Participants will undergo both intensive lifestyle modification and receive butyrate as described above. This study will be placebo-controlled: participants not randomized to butyrate will receive placebo sachets identical in size, color, appearance, and taste to the investigational product but without butyrate. Placebo will also be taken three times daily following the same schedule.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fundación Pública Andaluza para la Investigación de Málaga en Biomedicina y Salud

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-09-15

Primary Completion

2027-09-15

Completion

2028-02-15

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations