Genetic research on MASLD:New insights into cardiovascular disease and cancer risk

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)is a chronic liver disorder linked to metabolic dysfunction;MASLD prevalence is rising in association with increasing global obesity and metabolic syndrome rates[1,2].MASLD ranges from asymptomatic steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis,and potentially to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Beyond liver health,MASLD is associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders including myocardial infarction,stroke,coronary artery disease,and type 2 diabetes(T2DM).Observational studies suggest a link between MASLD and elevated cardiovascular risk,but these studies face limitations such as selection bias and confounding factors,which obscure MASLD's causal role in cardiovascular conditions.This underscores the need for precise methodologies to understand MASLD's pathophysiology,which are essential for effective prevention,treatment,and management strategies.