Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis articles from across Nature Portfolio

Tsouka et al. compare metabolic signatures of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in a diet- and chemical-induced mouse model with human disease. By evaluating perturbations in enzymatic reactions via transcriptomics-driven metabolic pathway analysis, they observe similar alterations in lipid metabolism between the mouse model and humans.

The mechanistic involvement of sonic hedgehog signaling in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is not clear. Here, the authors show that sonic hedgehog protein regulates the stability of HSP90β, enabling hepatocytes to secrete exosomes containing miR-28-5-p to promote NASH development.

Structural changes mediated by advanced glycation end-products enhance extracellular matrix viscoelasticity, and that viscoelasticity can promote cancer progression in vivo, independent of stiffness.

Fatty liver disease is one of the most common liver diseases in the Middle East and North Africa region, and globally. Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness regarding this condition. The nomenclature changes for NAFLD (to MAFLD or MASLD) have gained considerable attention in the hepatology community. Here, we present our point of view on this ongoing change and debate.

Non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) is now metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), emphasizing the key metabolic factors of obesity, insulin resistance, vascular dysfunction and dyslipidaemia. Here, we discuss impacts on the existing body of clinical and preclinical liver disease research and on research moving forward.

Ivancovsky-Wajcman et al. outline the need for a holistic preventive hepatology approach, involving social nutrition and social prescribing, to address the public health threat of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). They argue that this will facilitate individuals’ engagement in behavioural modifications to treat MASLD.