Zebrafish model of palmitic acid induced MAFLD recapitulates pathways conserved in mice and humans.

ABSTRACT: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is a major global health issue, affecting millions, yet its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we propose a novel diet-induced zebrafish model to investigate pathophysiology of MAFLD. To validate the model, we performed comprehensive histological analysis and molecular assessments, including RNA-sequencing, to characterize the disease progression. These approaches enabled us to examine the molecular alterations underlying MAFLD and identify key genes and pathways involved in its development. Our results demonstrate that zebrafish subjected to a high-fat diet exhibit significant weight gain and show prominent fat accumulation in the liver, as confirmed by Oil Red O and BODIPY staining. Quantitative PCR

SUBMITTER: Bhattacharya D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12480865 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature