Zhao CF. Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: From an analysis of a population-based study. World J Hepatol 2025; 17(2): 102734 [DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v17.i2.102734]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Cheng-Fei Zhao, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, Putian University, No. 1133 Xueyuan Road, Chengxiang District, Putian 351100, Fujian Province, China. zhaochengfei209@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Letter to the Editor
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Hepatol. Feb 27, 2025; 17(2): 102734 Published online Feb 27, 2025. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v17.i2.102734
Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: From an analysis of a population-based study
Cheng-Fei Zhao
Cheng-Fei Zhao, School of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, Putian University, Putian 351100, Fujian Province, China
Cheng-Fei Zhao, Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Laboratory Medicine in University of Fujian Province, Putian University, Putian 351100, Fujian Province, China
Author contributions: Zhao CF designed, wrote, and revised this paper.
Supported by Scientific Research Project of Putian University, No. 2022059.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author reports no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Cheng-Fei Zhao, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, Putian University, No. 1133 Xueyuan Road, Chengxiang District, Putian 351100, Fujian Province, China. zhaochengfei209@163.com
Received: October 28, 2024 Revised: November 25, 2024 Accepted: December 23, 2024 Published online: February 27, 2025 Processing time: 115 Days and 19.8 Hours
Abstract
The growing global burden of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) demands a deeper understanding of its underlying mechanisms and risk factors. Recent studies, such as the large population-based case-control analysis by Abdel-Razeq et al, suggest a significant association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and an increased risk of developing MASH. This study provides compelling data supporting this association, even after adjusting for confounders such as obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. However, the complexity of this relationship remains unresolved, requiring further investigation into the biological, genetic, and environmental pathways that connect these two conditions. This article critically reviews the study’s findings and identifies its limitations, offering innovative research directions for the future. Key areas of focus include integrating genomic and microbiome analyses, exploring the impact of H. pylori eradication on MASH progression, studying molecular mechanisms at the intersection of infection and liver disease, and developing personalized therapeutic strategies.
Core Tip: The association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) highlights a potentially significant but complex relationship. This article critically reviews recent findings and proposes innovative research directions, including genetic and microbiome studies, longitudinal evaluations of H. pylori eradication effects on MASH, and mechanistic investigations into inflammation and metabolic pathways. Personalized medicine approaches are also suggested to optimize MASH management based on individual risk factors. These strategies aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms linking H. pylori to liver disease, offering new opportunities for targeted diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in metabolic liver disorders.
