Relationship between liver and cardiometabolic health in type 1 diabetes

Emir Tas1,2, Bach-Mai Katherine Vu1,2, Brenda Mendizabal2,3

  • 1Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.

Frontiers in Endocrinology
|November 28, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) significantly increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients. Early liver health assessment and management are crucial for mitigating CVD complications in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Hepatology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.
  • Traditional CVD risk factors do not fully explain the elevated risk in T1D.
  • Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an emerging factor in T1D-related CVD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the relationship between MASLD and CVD in individuals with T1D.
  • To examine MASLD prevalence, risk factors, and impact on cardiovascular outcomes in T1D.
  • To explore the mechanisms linking MASLD and CVD in T1D.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review of observational studies, cohort studies, and meta-analyses.
  • Focused on literature investigating MASLD prevalence in T1D populations and its association with CVD.
  • Examined physiological mechanisms including insulin resistance, inflammation, and hepatic dyslipidemia.

Main Results:

  • MASLD is a significant contributor to CVD in T1D, especially with obesity and insulin resistance.
  • MASLD exacerbates metabolic dysfunction, increasing CVD risk via inflammation and atherogenic lipids.
  • Studies identified patterns in MASLD prevalence and its independent contribution to cardiovascular risk.

Conclusions:

  • MASLD plays a critical role in heightened CVD risk among T1D patients.
  • Targeting MASLD through liver health assessments and management is vital.
  • Incorporating MASLD strategies into T1D care can mitigate long-term cardiovascular complications.
Abstract

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