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ISSN 1001-5256 (Print)
ISSN 2097-3497 (Online)
CN 22-1108/R
Volume 42 Issue 7
Jul.  2026
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Article Contents

Mechanism of action of 2-acylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 in metabolic associated fatty liver disease and related targeted therapies

DOI: 10.12449/JCH260726
Research funding:

Central Government Guiding Local Scientific and Technological Development Fund (25ZYJA02)

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  • Corresponding author: Ji Rui, jir@lzu.edu.cn (ORCID: 0000-0001-9011-2222)
  • Received Date: 2025-10-23
  • Accepted Date: 2025-11-25
  • Published Date: 2026-07-25
  • Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has become one of the most prevalent chronic liver diseases worldwide, with the core pathological feature of pathological accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes, and as a key rate-limiting enzyme for triglyceride synthesis in the liver, 2-acylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) plays a central role in this process. Cell and animal model studies have confirmed that inhibition of DGAT2 can effectively alleviate hepatic steatosis and delay disease progression, and subsequent clinical trials have also shown the potential clinical application value in the treatment of MAFLD. This article systematically reviews the mechanism of action of DGAT2 in the development and progression of MAFLD and comprehensively summarizes the therapeutic strategies targeting DGAT2, including the advances in both monotherapy and drug combinations, in order to provide new ideas for individualized treatment of MAFLD patients.

     

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