Impact of the interaction between the gut-liver axis and hepatic iron overload on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and related intervention strategies

Ying Liang; Jingjing Zhang; Xiaoyan Liu; Wenxia Zhao

doi:10.12449/JCH260926

Volume 42 Issue 9

Sep. 2026

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Article Navigation > Journal of Clinical Hepatology > 2026 > 42(9): 2197-2202

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Impact of the interaction between the gut-liver axis and hepatic iron overload on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and related intervention strategies

DOI: 10.12449/JCH260926

Ying Liang^{1, 2},
Jingjing Zhang^{1, 2},
Xiaoyan Liu^{2
,
,
,},
Wenxia Zhao^{2
,
,
,}

1.
The First Clinical Medical College of Henan University of Chinese Medicine，Zhengzhou 450000，China
2.
Department of Spleen，Stomach，Liver and Gallbladder，The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine，Zhengzhou 450000，China

Research funding:

Funding Project for the Second Batch of Top Talents in the Inheritance and InnovationTalent Program of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Henan Province (Yu Health Commission TCM Letter［2021］No.15);

Second National Famous TCM Expert Inheritance Studio Construction Project (State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Medical and Education Letter［2022］No.245);

National TCM Inheritance and Innovation Center Scientific Research Special Project (2023ZXZX1061);

Henan Province TCM “Double First-Class” Initiative Scientific Research Special Project (HSRP-DFCTCM-2023-6-02);

Zhengzhou Medical and Health Sector Science and Technology Innovation Guidance Program Project (2025YLZDJH327)

More Information

Corresponding author: Liu Xiaoyan， liuxiaoyan0917@126.com （ORCID： 0009-0002-7347-9318）; Zhao Wenxia， zhao-wenxia@163.com （ORCID： 0000-0002-0592-3504）
Received Date: 2026-01-10
Accepted Date: 2026-03-26
Published Date: 2026-09-25

Abstract

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） is a chronic liver condition worldwide mainly caused by overnutrition and insulin resistance （IR）. It encompasses a broad disease spectrum with a high incidence rate and may further progress to hepatitis， liver cirrhosis， and hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathogenesis of MAFLD involves multiple factors， but the specific mechanism of action has not yet been fully elucidated. This article reviews the cutting-edge theory of “gut-liver axis dysfunction-hepatic iron overload”， summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which these two factors regulate intrahepatic lipotoxicity， oxidative stress， IR， and ferroptosis， reveals the pathophysiological process by which they synergistically promote the progression of MAFLD， and elaborates on the therapeutic strategies for MAFLD on this basis， so as to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
- Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease,
- Enterohepatic Circulation,
- Iron Overload,
- Pathologic Processes

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References(43)

References

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Impact of the interaction between the gut-liver axis and hepatic iron overload on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and related intervention strategies

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Impact of the interaction between the gut-liver axis and hepatic iron overload on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and related intervention strategies

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