Stages of the fatty liver
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most common liver disease, affecting around 25% of the population worldwide. The spectrum of MASLD encompasses different abnormalities, ranging from a simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with various degrees of inflammation, ballooning, necrosis, fibrosis, and ultimately, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
The heterogeneity of the diseases and its complex pathophysiological mechanisms represent a challenge to defining potent drugs for all patients with MASH. Only one pharmacological treatment has been approved for MASH, delineating the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of MASLD is crucial to managing MALSD and its comorbidities.