Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is on the rise globally, with a particular increase in prevalence noted in Southeast Asia, including a staggering 32.87% in the Republic of Korea.

This condition, which encompasses non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is closely linked to metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, with NAFLD prevalence increasing over 50% worldwide.

MASLD is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in the liver, which can lead to inflammation, fibrosis, and potentially progress to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Early-stage interventions are crucial for managing MASLD, which often develops without significant alcohol consumption.

The complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contributes to the development of MASLD, with various biomarkers identified to aid in its diagnosis.

Histological analysis remains the gold standard for diagnosing MASLD, supplemented by non-invasive imaging techniques.

Health functional foods (HFFs) are emerging as potential therapeutic candidates for preventing MASLD, leveraging bioactive compounds from natural sources.

Research highlights specific food components that may positively impact liver health and metabolic function, detailing their mechanisms of action.

The role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in MASLD progression is significant, with distinct gut microbiome signatures observed in NAFLD patients.

Therapeutic strategies targeting gut microbiota, such as probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation, show promise in managing NAFLD.

Dysregulation of RNA splicing can lead to aberrant splicing, impacting liver disease progression, with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) showing potential as therapies to correct these errors.

RNA splicing is a crucial post-transcriptional mechanism that produces mature mRNA essential for gene expression and proteomic diversity, with splicing factors playing significant roles in this process.