Metabolic and Functional Cross Talk Between the Thyroid and Liver.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Hepatology
• Metabolic Physiology

Background:

• The liver and thyroid intricately influence each other's function and metabolic homeostasis.
• Thyroid dysfunction (hypo- and hyperthyroidism) affects hepatic carbohydrate and fat metabolism, impacting glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
• Both hypothyroidism and intrahepatic hypothyroidism are linked to hypercholesterolemia and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of thyroid disorders and treatments on liver physiology, metabolism, and pathology.
• To examine how liver disease influences thyroid function.
• To summarize evidence on thyroid hormones' role in metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, and MASLD, and the potential of thyromimetics in treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of clinical and experimental studies.
• Analysis of the interplay between thyroid function and hepatic metabolic processes.
• Synthesis of current research on thyromimetic efficacy for metabolic diseases.

Main Results:

• Thyroid hormones (THs) significantly influence hepatic metabolism and are implicated in metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, and MASLD.
• Liver dysfunction can alter thyroid hormone concentrations and their peripheral actions.
• Thyromimetics represent a potential therapeutic strategy for metabolic diseases like MASLD.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing the thyroid-liver axis is vital for managing patients with co-existing thyroid and liver conditions.
• Emerging insights into thyroid hormone actions in the liver are refining the understanding of metabolic disease pathogenesis.
• Thyromimetics offer a novel therapeutic avenue for MASLD, highlighting the importance of the thyroid-liver relationship.