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Fernandez CJ, Nagendra L, Pappachan JM. Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Fatty Liver Disease: An Urgent Call for Global Action. TOUCHREVIEWS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY 2024; 20:5-9. [PMID: 38812662 PMCID: PMC11132654 DOI: 10.17925/ee.2023.20.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
There has been an exponential increase in the global prevalence of fatty liver disease in recent years in association with the obesity pandemic worldwide. 'Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease', the new terminology adopted by an international panel of experts in 2020 to largely replace the old term 'non-alcoholic fatty liver disease', has now been accepted by most hepatologists and diabetologists across the globe. The term metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease was created to better reflect the metabolicand liver-specific manifestations and complications of fatty liver disease. It is important to disseminate our current understanding of this enigmatic disease among the global scientific fraternity. Recent publications, including articles from the latest issue of Endocrinology & Metabolism Clinics of North America, are attempting to fill this knowledge gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelius J Fernandez
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Pilgrim Hospital, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Boston, UK
| | - Lakshmi Nagendra
- Department of Endocrinology, JSS Medical College, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysore, India
| | - Joseph M Pappachan
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Preston, UK
- Faculty of Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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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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