Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and Gut Microbiota: From Fatty Liver to Dysmetabolic Syndrome

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the recent nomenclature designation that associates the condition of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with metabolic dysfunction. Its diagnosis has been debated in the recent period and is generally associated with a diagnosis of steatosis and at least one pathologic condition among overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic dysregulation. Its pathogenesis is defined by a multiple-hit model and is associated with alteration or dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. The pathogenic role of dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has been investigated in many diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and NAFLD. However, only a few works correlate it with MAFLD, although common pathogenetic links to these diseases are suspected. This review underlines the most recurrent changes in the gut microbiota of patients with MAFLD, while also evidencing possible pathogenetic links.

Automated summary

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a newly named condition that links non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with metabolic dysfunction. Its diagnosis is still debated and is generally associated with steatosis and at least one pathological condition among overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic dysregulation. The pathogenesis of MAFLD involves changes in the gut microbiota, which has also been investigated in other diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and NAFLD. However, only a few studies have specifically correlated gut dysbiosis with MAFLD.