Taming fatty liver: can taurine combat metabolic dysfunction in MASLD?

Metabolic dysfunction associated with steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally, significantly impacting human health and imposing substantial socioeconomic burdens. Characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in the liver, MASLD can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite extensive research, the molecular mechanisms underlying MASLD remain incompletely understood, and no effective pharmacological treatments have been approved. This review explores the potential mechanisms of MASLD pathogenesis, early diagnostic approaches, and the promising role of taurine in mitigating MASLD progression via the gut-liver axis. As research advances, taurine may offer a novel therapeutic avenue, presenting new possibilities for effective clinical interventions in MASLD management.