Wan KR, Qian C, Liu LM. Endocrine-liver bidirectional regulation: From mechanistic research to multidisciplinary clinical practice. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(6): 115232 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v32.i6.115232]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Li-Mei Liu, PhD, Associate Professor, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, No. 131 Yubei Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400030, China. limeilliu@126.com
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Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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Letter to the Editor
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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/
Feb 14, 2026 (publication date) through Feb 5, 2026
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World Journal of Gastroenterology
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1007-9327
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Wan KR, Qian C, Liu LM. Endocrine-liver bidirectional regulation: From mechanistic research to multidisciplinary clinical practice. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(6): 115232 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v32.i6.115232]
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 14, 2026; 32(6): 115232 Published online Feb 14, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v32.i6.115232
Endocrine-liver bidirectional regulation: From mechanistic research to multidisciplinary clinical practice
Kai-Rui Wan, Cheng Qian, Li-Mei Liu
Kai-Rui Wan, Cheng Qian, Li-Mei Liu, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
Kai-Rui Wan, Cheng Qian, Li-Mei Liu, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing 400030, China
Co-corresponding authors: Cheng Qian and Li-Mei Liu.
Author contributions: Wan KR conceived and designed the study, and drafted the original manuscript. Qian C and Liu LM are designated as co-corresponding authors, with equally significant, indispensable contributions pivotal to the work’s development and completion. Specifically, Qian C guided the study’s academic framework, led systematic literature retrieval and in-depth critical analysis of core studies, refined the manuscript’s logical structure, and revised the early draft to align with the journal’s academic standards. Liu LM verified the rationality of experimental data and methodologies, drafted and refined the mechanism discussion, addressed peer review comments, and coordinated the final manuscript to meet all submission requirements. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China, No. 82273071.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for the manuscript.
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: Li-Mei Liu, PhD, Associate Professor, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, No. 131 Yubei Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400030, China. limeilliu@126.com
Received: October 14, 2025 Revised: November 17, 2025 Accepted: December 15, 2025 Published online: February 14, 2026 Processing time: 113 Days and 23.5 Hours
Abstract
A close bidirectional regulatory network exists between endocrine disorders and liver dysfunction, and their reciprocal imbalance is a key driver of metabolic liver diseases and chronic liver diseases. Based on the review, this letter systematically appraises its value in elucidating bidirectional crosstalk mechanisms across the thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal, and sex hormone axes with the liver, while identifying limitations in mechanistic depth and clinical translation. Aligned with current clinical needs and research hotspots, we propose targeted research directions, including strengthening multi-omics biomarker screening, optimizing individualized management for special populations, and refining interdisciplinary collaboration, so as to provide comprehensive theoretical support and practical references for multidisciplinary team diagnosis and treatment of endocrine-related liver diseases.
Core Tip: The endocrine system and liver form a dynamic bidirectional network via hormone synthesis/metabolism and signaling regulation. Hormones (e.g., thyroid hormones, insulin) maintain hepatic glucose/lipid homeostasis and bile acid metabolism; conversely, chronic liver diseases disrupt endocrine balance through impaired hormone clearance, hypothalamic-pituitary axis dysfunction, and systemic inflammation, forming a “liver disease-endocrine disorder” vicious cycle. Key research gaps include insufficient exploration of the gut microbiota-endocrine-liver axis, lack of special population data, and delayed integration of emerging therapies. Future efforts should focus on molecular mechanism refinement, special population studies, and multidisciplinary team practice to achieve precise management of endocrine-related liver diseases.
