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Fu Y, Wang Z, Qin H. Examining the Pathogenesis of MAFLD and the Medicinal Properties of Natural Products from a Metabolic Perspective. Metabolites 2024; 14:218. [PMID: 38668346 PMCID: PMC11052500 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14040218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), characterized primarily by hepatic steatosis, has become the most prevalent liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately two-fifths of the global population. The pathogenesis of MAFLD is extremely complex, and to date, there are no approved therapeutic drugs for clinical use. Considerable evidence indicates that various metabolic disorders play a pivotal role in the progression of MAFLD, including lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, and micronutrients. In recent years, the medicinal properties of natural products have attracted widespread attention, and numerous studies have reported their efficacy in ameliorating metabolic disorders and subsequently alleviating MAFLD. This review aims to summarize the metabolic-associated pathological mechanisms of MAFLD, as well as the natural products that regulate metabolic pathways to alleviate MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hong Qin
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410006, China; (Y.F.); (Z.W.)
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Zhao J, Liu L, Cao YY, Gao X, Targher G, Byrne CD, Sun DQ, Zheng MH. MAFLD as part of systemic metabolic dysregulation. Hepatol Int 2024:10.1007/s12072-024-10660-y. [PMID: 38594474 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-024-10660-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. In recent years, a new terminology and definition of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been proposed. Compared to the NAFLD definition, MAFLD better emphasizes the pathogenic role of metabolic dysfunction in the development and progression of this highly prevalent condition. Metabolic disorders, including overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), atherogenic dyslipidemia and hypertension, are often associated with systemic organ dysfunctions, thereby suggesting that multiple organ damage can occur in MAFLD. Substantial epidemiological evidence indicates that MAFLD is not only associated with an increased risk of liver-related complications, but also increases the risk of developing several extra-hepatic diseases, including new-onset T2DM, adverse cardiovascular and renal outcomes, and some common endocrine diseases. We have summarized the current literature on the adverse effect of MAFLD on the development of multiple extrahepatic (cardiometabolic and endocrine) complications and examined the role of different metabolic pathways and organ systems in the progression of MAFLD, thus providing new insights into the role of MAFLD as a multisystem metabolic disorder. Our narrative review aimed to provide insights into potential mechanisms underlying the known associations between MAFLD and extrahepatic diseases, as part of MAFLD as a multisystem disease, in order to help focus areas for future drug development targeting not only liver disease but also the risk of extrahepatic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Urologic Nephrology Center, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China
- Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, China
- Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Urologic Nephrology Center, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China
- Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, China
- Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Ying-Ying Cao
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for the Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Christopher D Byrne
- Southampton National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, and University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Dan-Qin Sun
- Urologic Nephrology Center, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China.
- Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, China.
- Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital, Wuxi, China.
| | - Ming-Hua Zheng
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for the Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Calcaterra V, Degrassi I, Taranto S, Porro C, Bianchi A, L’assainato S, Silvestro GS, Quatrale A, Zuccotti G. Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) and Thyroid Function in Childhood Obesity: A Vicious Circle? CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:244. [PMID: 38397356 PMCID: PMC10887660 DOI: 10.3390/children11020244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a multisystem disorder characterized by the presence of fatty liver degeneration associated with excess adiposity or prediabetes/type 2 diabetes or metabolic dysregulation. An intricate relationship between the liver and thyroid has been reported in both health and disease. Simultaneously, there is a strong correlation between obesity and both MAFLD and thyroid dysfunction. In this narrative review, we highlighted the relationship between MAFLD and thyroid function in children and adolescents with obesity in order to explore how thyroid hormones (THs) act as predisposing factors in the onset, progression, and sustainability of MAFLD. THs are integral to the intricate balance of metabolic activities, ensuring energy homeostasis, and are indispensable for growth and development. Regarding liver homeostasis, THs have been suggested to interact with liver lipid homeostasis through a series of processes, including stimulating the entry of free fatty acids into the liver for esterification into triglycerides and increasing mitochondrial β-oxidation of fatty acids to impact hepatic lipid accumulation. The literature supports a correlation between MAFLD and obesity, THs and obesity, and MAFLD and THs; however, results in the pediatric population are very limited. Even though the underlying pathogenic mechanism involved in the relationship between MAFLD and thyroid function remains not fully elucidated, the role of THs as predisposing factors of MAFLD could be postulated. A potential vicious circle among these three conditions cannot be excluded. Identifying novel elements that may contribute to MAFLD could offer a practical approach to assessing children at risk of developing the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Calcaterra
- Pediatric and Adolescent Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (I.D.); (S.T.); (C.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.); (G.S.S.); (A.Q.); (G.Z.)
| | - Irene Degrassi
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (I.D.); (S.T.); (C.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.); (G.S.S.); (A.Q.); (G.Z.)
| | - Silvia Taranto
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (I.D.); (S.T.); (C.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.); (G.S.S.); (A.Q.); (G.Z.)
| | - Cecilia Porro
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (I.D.); (S.T.); (C.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.); (G.S.S.); (A.Q.); (G.Z.)
| | - Alice Bianchi
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (I.D.); (S.T.); (C.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.); (G.S.S.); (A.Q.); (G.Z.)
| | - Sara L’assainato
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (I.D.); (S.T.); (C.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.); (G.S.S.); (A.Q.); (G.Z.)
| | - Giustino Simone Silvestro
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (I.D.); (S.T.); (C.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.); (G.S.S.); (A.Q.); (G.Z.)
| | - Antonia Quatrale
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (I.D.); (S.T.); (C.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.); (G.S.S.); (A.Q.); (G.Z.)
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- Pediatric Department, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy; (I.D.); (S.T.); (C.P.); (A.B.); (S.L.); (G.S.S.); (A.Q.); (G.Z.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
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Li Z, Wu X, Chen Z, Wei X, Chen W. Association between low-normal thyroid function and advanced liver fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease patients: a retrospective cohort study. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2024; 12:goad076. [PMID: 38264763 PMCID: PMC10805339 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/goad076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have found that thyroid function may be associated with the occurrence and development of advanced liver fibrosis in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, the majority of such research has consisted of cross-sectional studies. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the effect of low-normal thyroid function on advanced liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients over a 5-year period. Methods This retrospective cohort study enrolled 825 outpatients and inpatients with MAFLD who attended the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) between January 2011 and December 2018. Based on plasma thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, these patients were divided into two groups, namely a low-normal thyroid function group and a strict-normal thyroid function group. The fibrosis-4 score was used to assess advanced liver fibrosis. A chi-square test was conducted to compare the occurrence of advanced fibrosis between the groups. Results Among the 825 MAFLD patients, 117 and 708 were defined as having low-normal thyroid function and strict-normal thyroid function, respectively. Follow-up data were available for 767 patients (93.0%) during a 5-year period. Eight (7.5%) MAFLD patients with low-normal thyroid function and 26 (3.9%) with strict-normal thyroid function developed advanced liver fibrosis and the cumulative incidence was not significantly different (P = 0.163). Stratification analysis showed that the lean MAFLD patients (body mass index ≤ 23 kg/m2) with low-normal thyroid function had a higher risk of advanced liver fibrosis than the lean MAFLD patients with strict-normal thyroid function (P < 0.05). Conclusion Low-normal thyroid function is associated with advanced liver fibrosis among lean MAFLD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoying Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Zebin Chen
- Center of Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Xiuqing Wei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
| | - Weiqing Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China
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Zuarth-Vázquez J, Moreno-Castañeda L, Soriano-Márquez JP, Velázquez-Alemán A, Ramos-Ostos MH, Uribe M, López-Méndez I, Juárez-Hernández E. Low-Normal Thyroid Function Is Not Associated with Either Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041048. [PMID: 37109577 PMCID: PMC10144109 DOI: 10.3390/life13041048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association of low-normal thyroid function (LNTF) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is controversial; thus, the aim of this study is to determine this association. METHODS NAFLD was evaluated by controlled attenuation parameter of transient elastography. Patients were classified by MAFLD criteria. LNTF was defined as TSH levels of 2.5 to 4.5 mIU/L and were divided into three different cut-off points (>4.5 to 5.0, >3.1, and >2.5 mIU/L). Associations between LNTF, NAFLD, and MAFLD were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS A total of 3697 patients were included; 59% (n = 2179) were male, and median age and body mass index were 48 (43-55) years and 25.9 (23.6-28.5) kg/m2, respectively, and 44% (n = 1632) were diagnosed with NAFLD. THS levels of 2.5 and 3.1 showed significant associations with the presence of NAFLD and MAFLD; however, LNTF did not show an independent association with the presence of NAFLD or MAFLD in multivariate analysis. According to different cut-off points, patients with LNTF presented similar risks for NAFLD as the general population. CONCLUSION LNTF is not associated with NAFLD or MAFLD. Patients with high LNTF are equally at risk for NAFLD as the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Zuarth-Vázquez
- Internal Medicine Department, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City 14050, Mexico
| | | | | | | | | | - Misael Uribe
- Gastroenterology and Obesity Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City 14050, Mexico
| | - Iván López-Méndez
- Hepatology and Transplants Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City 14050, Mexico
| | - Eva Juárez-Hernández
- Translational Research Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Mexico City 14050, Mexico
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