Towards more consistent models and consensual terminology in preclinical research for Steatotic Liver Disease

Abstract

Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is one of the most prevalent liver conditions globally and a leading cause of liver transplantation, yet therapeutic advancements have not kept pace with its major impact on global morbidity and mortality. This underscores the critical importance of developing and refining relevant preclinical animal models. However, preclinical research has faced significant challenges, with concerns about the translational validity of animal models, as findings often fail to accurately reflect human disease. With the recent adoption of new nomenclature for SLD in humans, questions have arisen about how to integrate these changes into preclinical models. Here, we offer suggestions on how to improve preclinical models, including the incorporation of factors such as diet, alcohol, and other metabolic stressors, to better replicate the complexity of human disease. While implementing these improvements presents logistical challenges, doing so is essential to enhancing the translational relevance and reproducibility of animal studies, and advancing therapeutic discoveries. Furthermore, we address the persisting inconsistency in terminology used in animal studies and propose clinically meaningful terms that can be applied consistently to preclinical research.