2025, Number 1
Cardiovasc Metab Sci 2025; 36 (1)
Metformin in the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: current evidence and future perspectives
Flores-Estrada, José Javier; Pinto-García, Luis José; Nájera-García, Nayelli; Marché-Fernández, Osvaldo Alexis; Cáceres-Carranza, Fernando Javier
ABSTRACT
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes, affects nearly one billion people globally, with rising prevalence due to both improved diagnostics and increasing incidence. In Mexico, NAFLD prevalence may exceed 50%. A particular study was conducted on 505 young adults, where 47% were at risk for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and 67.8% showed abnormal liver stiffness or confirmed NASH. NAFLD management requires a comprehensive approach, from early-stage lifestyle changes to targeted pharmacological treatments for advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Metformin, a widely used diabetes medication, shows promise in NAFLD by improving liver damage markers and insulin resistance and potentially reducing hepatocellular carcinoma risk, though evidence of significant liver histological improvements is limited. This article explores metformin's role in NAFLD treatment, focusing on its potential impact in Mexico and beyond.