Pathophysiological Mechanisms Linking Liver Disease and Cardiovascular Dysfunction

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, affecting both men and women significantly. Liver diseases, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD), and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), play a crucial role in the development of cardiovascular complications. Patients with liver diseases are at an elevated risk of cardiovascular events and have increased overall mortality rates. Despite this significant impact, the specific mechanisms through which liver diseases elevate cardiovascular risk remain incompletely understood.

This Research Topic will focus on the cardiovascular consequences of liver diseases, exploring the potential mechanisms involved and examining therapeutic interventions. Areas of interest include:

- Identification of biomarkers that can predict cardiovascular risk in individuals with liver disease;
- The impact of liver dysfunction, such as that caused by cirrhosis and MASLD, on cardiovascular risk factors and diseases;
- Gut-liver axis and cardiovascular health: explore how alterations in gut microbiota associated with liver disease can influence systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis, impacting cardiovascular health;
- Mechanistic insights into how liver-related systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic disturbances contribute to cardiovascular outcomes;
- Endothelial dysfunction in liver disease: examine the impact of liver disease on endothelial function and its subsequent influence on hypertension and atherosclerosis development;
- Exploration of therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating cardiovascular risks by targeting liver diseases;
- The role of demographic factors, including age, race, and gender, in the cardiovascular effects of liver diseases;
- Contribution of liver hepatokines to pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases.