Kotlyarov S. Crosstalk between non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Immunometabolic interactions and clinical implications. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(15): 116406 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v32.i15.116406]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Stanislav Kotlyarov, PhD, Department of Nurse, Ryazan State Medical University, Vysokovoltnaya 9, Ryazan 390005, Russia. skmr1@yandex.ru
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2026; 32(15): 116406 Published online Apr 21, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v32.i15.116406
Crosstalk between non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Immunometabolic interactions and clinical implications
Stanislav Kotlyarov
Stanislav Kotlyarov, Department of Nurse, Ryazan State Medical University, Ryazan 390005, Russia
Author contributions: Kotlyarov S contributed to the conceptualization, methodology, validation, resources, data curation, preparation of the original draft, review and editing, supervision, and project administration.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Dr. Kotlyarov has nothing to disclose.
Corresponding author: Stanislav Kotlyarov, PhD, Department of Nurse, Ryazan State Medical University, Vysokovoltnaya 9, Ryazan 390005, Russia. skmr1@yandex.ru
Received: November 11, 2025 Revised: January 9, 2026 Accepted: January 26, 2026 Published online: April 21, 2026 Processing time: 155 Days and 13.5 Hours
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) is a recognized but insufficiently studied clinical disease. The clinical and pathophysiological links between NAFPD and other metabolic diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), are still largely unknown. Both conditions are considered to be manifestations of systemic metabolic syndrome, which indicates common developmental pathways. Although NAFPD and MASLD are closely related through common immunometabolic pathways, they also have differences that are reflected in clinical observations. A recent study by Heymann et al published in World Journal of Gastroenterology showed no direct correlation between the degree of pancreatic steatosis and the severity of steatohepatitis or liver fibrosis, indicating a need for further study of the complex immunometabolic interactions that mediate the relationship between these organs.
Core Tip: Non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease are two distinct conditions caused by common metabolic disturbances, but with different pathogenesis. Despite their frequent co-occurrence, the degree of pancreatic steatosis may not directly correlate with the severity of liver fibrosis or inflammation, as demonstrated in recent studies. A key difference in their pathogenesis is linked to the structure and function of the cells in these organs. Understanding these differences is critical for developing organ-specific approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
