Current Issues in Molecular Biology (Nov 2023)

Molecular Aspects of MAFLD—New Insights on Pathogenesis and Treatment

  • Branka Filipovic,
  • Marija Marjanovic-Haljilji,
  • Dragana Mijac,
  • Snezana Lukic,
  • Suncica Kapor,
  • Slobodan Kapor,
  • Ana Starcevic,
  • Dusan Popovic,
  • Aleksandra Djokovic

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb45110573
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 45, no. 11
pp. 9132 – 9148

Abstract

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Metabolic-associated liver disease (MAFLD) affects up to 70% of overweight and more than 90% of morbidly obese people, and its pathogenesis is rather complex and multifactorial. The criteria for MAFLD include the presence of hepatic steatosis in addition to one of the following three criteria: overweight or obesity, presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), or evidence of metabolic dysregulation. If the specific criteria are present, the diagnosis of MAFLD can be made regardless of alcohol consumption and previous liver disease. The pathophysiological mechanisms of MAFLD, including inflammation, lipotoxicity, mitochondrial disfunction, and oxidative stress, as well as the impact of intestinal gut microbiota, are constantly being elucidated. Treatment strategies that are continually emerging are based on different key points in MAFLD pathogenesis. Yet, the ideal therapeutic option has still not been found and future research is of great importance, as MAFLD represents a multisystemic disease with numerous complications.

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