Interaction Between Periodontitis and MASLD: Pathophysiological Associations and Possibilities of Prevention and Therapy

The interrelationship between periodontitis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has attracted increasing attention due to the significant global rise in the prevalence of both conditions. Periodontitis, a...

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Main Authors: Martina Juzbašić, Matej Tomas, Ana Petrović, Marija Hefer, Renata Sikora, Ana Mačković, Stjepan Siber, Martina Smolić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/6/1346
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author Martina Juzbašić
Matej Tomas
Ana Petrović
Marija Hefer
Renata Sikora
Ana Mačković
Stjepan Siber
Martina Smolić
author_facet Martina Juzbašić
Matej Tomas
Ana Petrović
Marija Hefer
Renata Sikora
Ana Mačković
Stjepan Siber
Martina Smolić
author_sort Martina Juzbašić
collection DOAJ
description The interrelationship between periodontitis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has attracted increasing attention due to the significant global rise in the prevalence of both conditions. Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease, affects a substantial portion of the population and parallels the growing incidence of MASLD, which currently impacts nearly 30% of the global population. The updated nomenclature reflects a deeper understanding of the condition’s metabolic origins. This narrative review focuses on the shared pathophysiological mechanisms, particularly systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress that may underlie the bidirectional relationship between these diseases. These mechanisms often act in concert to promote disease development. Unlike previous literature, this review emphasizes the hypothesis that chronic periodontal inflammation may not only mirror but also contribute to the systemic metabolic dysregulation observed in MASLD. We critically assess current evidence supporting this link by highlighting the role of inflammatory mediators in bridging oral and hepatic health, and by proposing an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to its early detection and management. The aim is to offer novel insights that can help develop better prevention strategies and more effective treatments for both diseases.
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institution Kabale University
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language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Biomedicines
spelling doaj-art-9c02f8e679b7440c9bc625ddee0affea2025-08-20T03:26:53ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-05-01136134610.3390/biomedicines13061346Interaction Between Periodontitis and MASLD: Pathophysiological Associations and Possibilities of Prevention and TherapyMartina Juzbašić0Matej Tomas1Ana Petrović2Marija Hefer3Renata Sikora4Ana Mačković5Stjepan Siber6Martina Smolić7Department of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaDepartment of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaDepartment of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaDepartment of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaDepartment of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaDepartment of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaDepartment of Dental Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaDepartment of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaThe interrelationship between periodontitis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has attracted increasing attention due to the significant global rise in the prevalence of both conditions. Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease, affects a substantial portion of the population and parallels the growing incidence of MASLD, which currently impacts nearly 30% of the global population. The updated nomenclature reflects a deeper understanding of the condition’s metabolic origins. This narrative review focuses on the shared pathophysiological mechanisms, particularly systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress that may underlie the bidirectional relationship between these diseases. These mechanisms often act in concert to promote disease development. Unlike previous literature, this review emphasizes the hypothesis that chronic periodontal inflammation may not only mirror but also contribute to the systemic metabolic dysregulation observed in MASLD. We critically assess current evidence supporting this link by highlighting the role of inflammatory mediators in bridging oral and hepatic health, and by proposing an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to its early detection and management. The aim is to offer novel insights that can help develop better prevention strategies and more effective treatments for both diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/6/1346MASLDperiodontitisperiodontopathogenic bacteria
spellingShingle Martina Juzbašić
Matej Tomas
Ana Petrović
Marija Hefer
Renata Sikora
Ana Mačković
Stjepan Siber
Martina Smolić
Interaction Between Periodontitis and MASLD: Pathophysiological Associations and Possibilities of Prevention and Therapy
Biomedicines
MASLD
periodontitis
periodontopathogenic bacteria
title Interaction Between Periodontitis and MASLD: Pathophysiological Associations and Possibilities of Prevention and Therapy
title_full Interaction Between Periodontitis and MASLD: Pathophysiological Associations and Possibilities of Prevention and Therapy
title_fullStr Interaction Between Periodontitis and MASLD: Pathophysiological Associations and Possibilities of Prevention and Therapy
title_full_unstemmed Interaction Between Periodontitis and MASLD: Pathophysiological Associations and Possibilities of Prevention and Therapy
title_short Interaction Between Periodontitis and MASLD: Pathophysiological Associations and Possibilities of Prevention and Therapy
title_sort interaction between periodontitis and masld pathophysiological associations and possibilities of prevention and therapy
topic MASLD
periodontitis
periodontopathogenic bacteria
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/6/1346
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