Role of micrornas in the pathophysiology and diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: A bibliometric review.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become a public health problem, given its increasing incidence worldwide and strong association with metabolic syndrome components such as obesity, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation. Recent studies have shown the relevance of microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in MASLD. This bibliometric review aimed to evaluate the scientific production of the last decade on miRNAs involved in the pathophysiology and diagnosis of MASLD. A total of 775 articles were initially retrieved from the PubMed database, with 51 meeting the inclusion criteria after a systematic screening process. Bibliometric analysis showed that China and the United States had the highest number of publications, with studies published mainly by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences and Hepatology. Among the most studied miRNAs were miR-122, miR-29a, miR-34a, and miR-223, which participate in lipid metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, and insulin sensitivity. Co-authorship network analysis identified Gao Bin as the most influential author in the field. Keyword co-occurrence analysis showed growing interest in miRNAs in general, miR-29a, miR-34a, miR-122, miR-223, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, lipogenesis, and mitochondrial stress in recent years. This review emphasizes the increasing scientific attention on miRNAs involved in MASLD and highlights their diagnostic and therapeutic potential. However, further studies are still needed for the identification and clinical validation of therapeutic targets that modulate miRNAs. Future perspectives include the integration of omics approaches and the exploration of nutritional or pharmacological strategies for miRNA modulation.