Research progress in effects and mechanisms of dietary pattern interventions in metabolic associated fatty liver disease

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2025.07.015

Abstract

Abstract:

Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a type of fatty liver disease associated with systemic metabolic disorders, and its prevalence has been increasing year by year, becoming a major challenge to global public health. The development of MAFLD is associated with various factors, including obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes and other factors. Excessive body fat, particularly increased visceral adiposity, contributes to hepatic fat accumulation. Abnormal blood lipid levels can also disrupt liver fat metabolism. The risk of MAFLD in patients with diabetes is greatly increased due to insulin resistance and other problems. Dietary interventions are considered an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of MAFLD. In recent years, several dietary patterns, such as low-carbohydrate diets, intermittent fasting, and the Mediterranean diet, have been applied in clinical practice. Their primary mechanisms include reducing oxidative stress, regulating gut microbiota, and inducing fat autophagy. However, the responses to different dietary patterns vary among individuals due to differences in genes, lifestyle, and disease severity. Therefore, systematically evaluating the effects and mechanisms of these dietary patterns in the prevention and treatment of MAFLD has significant clinical importance. This review compares the effects of different dietary patterns on improving liver function, hepatic fat content, blood glucose, and lipid levels, and analyzes their underlying mechanisms of intervention, to explore how to select personalized dietary strategies based on individual differences. It is intended to provide new insights for the precise prevention and treatment of MAFLD, thereby improving patients′ outcomes and alleviating the burden on public health.

Key words: metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), dietary pattern, dietary intervention, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

CLC Number:

R575.5

SONG Jing, JIANG Shuo, WAN Fangyu, LI Juan, MUHETA Adina, MIN Xinying, ZHOU Jingqi. Research progress in effects and mechanisms of dietary pattern interventions in metabolic associated fatty liver disease[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2025, 45(7): 926-933.

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