Liver Metabolism – MASLD

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver pathology and a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. MASLD is defined by the presence of hepatic steatosis (fat deposition) in conjunction with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor (e.g., type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight) and no other discernible cause. High-calorie diets and sedentary lifestyles drive the development and progression of MASLD and its increasing prevalence is projected to results in a 2- to 3-fold increase in the burden of cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease (ESLD) by 2030. In a significant minority of cases, MASLD progresses from hepatic steatosis to metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with lobular inflammation, hepatocyte injury and progressive fibrosis, which may lead to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and ESLD. Metabolic comorbidities, environmental influences, genetic and epigenetic factors increase the risk of MASLD progression.