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Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and atherosclerosis

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Abstract

Purpose of review

To update information about the relationship between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and atherosclerosis. This review emphasizes the potential mechanisms linking MASLD with atherosclerosis and the possible causal relationships between these conditions.

Recent findings

An increased risk of cardiovascular disease is related to MASLD. Several molecular, cellular, and metabolic mechanisms have been described to explain the development of atherothrombosis in MASLD patients. These include atherogenic dyslipidemia, low-grade vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, foam cell formation, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, insulin resistance, gut microbiota dysbiosis, activation of renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems, hypercoagulability, and decreased fibrinolysis. Also, there is recent evidence suggesting an association between genetically driven liver fat and coronary heart disease mediated by the causal effect of apoB-containing lipoproteins. Several meta-analyses and systematic reviews have reported a strong association between MASLD and cardiovascular outcomes.

Summary

MASLD is an important and independent risk factor for atherosclerosis development. Multiple mechanisms may be involved in this association. Further research is required to establish a causal association between MASLD and atherosclerosis.

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Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Dr. Salvador B. Gautier, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

    Yulino Castillo-Núñez

  2. Endocrinology and Metabolism Department, Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico

    Paloma Almeda-Valdes

  3. Instituto Jalisciense de Investigación en Diabetes y Obesidad, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

    Guillermo González-Gálvez

  4. Unidad de Patología Clínica, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

    María del Rosario Arechavaleta-Granell

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  1. Yulino Castillo-Núñez
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  3. Guillermo González-Gálvez
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All the authors wrote and reviewed the manuscript's text (YC, GG, PA, RA). YC prepared Fig. 1.

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Correspondence to Yulino Castillo-Núñez.

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Castillo-Núñez, Y., Almeda-Valdes, P., González-Gálvez, G. et al. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and atherosclerosis. Curr Diab Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-024-01542-6

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