Publication Name	World Journal of Hepatology
Manuscript ID	124748
Country	China

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Review
Article Title	Cardio-hepatic axis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Mechanisms, clinical implications and therapeutic opportunities
Manuscript Source	Invited Manuscript
All Author List	Ran Zhao, Jia-Lian Zheng, Yan Wang, Bing-Jiu Lu, Yan Zhang and Bao-Cheng Deng
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number National Natural Science Foundation of China 82174241
Corresponding Author	Bao-Cheng Deng, Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China. bcdeng@cmu.edu.cn
Key Words	Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease; Cardio-hepatic axis; Cardiovascular disease; Risk stratification; Therapeutic strategies
Core Tip	Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is a systemic cardiometabolic disorder driven by the cardio-hepatic axis. This review examines bidirectional signaling and systemic amplification networks within this axis and explores its intrinsic mechanisms. Based on population evidence, we propose a risk stratification framework that integrates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease evaluation into cardiovascular risk assessment, shifting management from a liver-centric to a systemic cardio-hepatic co-management model. We also critically appraise therapeutic strategies targeting these mechanisms according to clinical evidence strength. However, key challenges remain, including the liver-heart causal relationship, the lack of a risk assessment system capturing cardio-hepatic crosstalk, and the limited availability of axis-specific randomized controlled trials.
Citation	Zhao R, Zheng JL, Wang Y, Lu BJ, Zhang Y, Deng BC. Cardio-hepatic axis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Mechanisms, clinical implications and therapeutic opportunities. World J Hepatol 2026; In press

Received	2026-06-29 03:22
Peer-Review Started	2026-06-29 03:22
First Decision by Editorial Office Director
Return for Revision	2026-07-21 02:54
Revised	2026-08-04 00:32
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-09-17 02:42
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-09-17 09:37
Articles in Press	2026-09-17 09:37
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-5182 (online)
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