Paracrine Fibroblast Growth Factor-Based Therapy: An Unexpected Panacea for Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)

Abstract Metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a group of highly heterogeneous multi-system diseases, which is closely related to metabolic dysfunction and is one of the most important public health problems in the world. Studies have shown that paracrine fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play an important role in the occurrence and development of MAFLD by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. This article reviews the latest progress in understanding of the distribution, function, and metabolic regulation of paracrine FGFs, which paves the way for future FGF-based therapies targeting MAFLD.