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Aging and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a bidirectional relationship
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xi-Jing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
Frontiers of Medicine
|May 2, 2025
Summary
Aging accelerates liver disease development, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and steatohepatitis (MASH). Understanding this interplay is key to developing future treatments for liver aging and disease.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Hepatology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Aging is increasingly linked to chronic liver diseases like MASLD and MASH.
- The aging process impairs liver functions, including metabolism, detoxification, and immunity, raising disease risk.
- Cellular senescence in hepatocytes, endothelial cells, stellate cells, and Kupffer cells contributes to liver aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the complex interplay between aging and MASLD/MASH.
- To elucidate how aging and liver disease exacerbate each other.
- To discuss potential strategies for mitigating aging and treating liver diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current research on aging and liver disease.
- Analysis of the mechanisms linking cellular senescence to liver dysfunction.
- Examination of therapeutic approaches targeting aging and liver pathologies.
Main Results:
- Aging significantly contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of MASLD and MASH.
- Liver disease accelerates the aging phenotype and cellular senescence.
- A bidirectional relationship exists where aging worsens liver disease, and liver disease promotes aging.
Conclusions:
- The aging-liver disease axis presents a critical challenge in hepatology.
- Targeting cellular senescence and aging pathways may offer novel therapeutic avenues for MASLD/MASH.
- Further research is needed to develop effective interventions for age-related liver conditions.
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