Nanomedicine-Based Strategies for Regulating Abnormal Amino Acid Metabolism in Liver Diseases

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has been proposed as a more precise term to characterize steatosis amid metabolic dysregulation and is projected to emerge as the predominant cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) globally, given the rising prevalence of metabolic comorbidities. Particularly in its inflammatory form, known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), hepatic metabolism is profoundly altered. Amino acids are fundamental building blocks that support cellular metabolism and biosynthesis, alongside monosaccharides and fatty acids. Emerging research suggests that aberrant amino acid metabolism in MASLD/MASH and HCC impacts mitochondrial function and redox equilibrium. Nonetheless, the involvement of amino acid metabolism in the progression from MASLD/MASH to HCC is still inadequately comprehended. This review summarizes the aberrant amino acid metabolism in MASLD/MASH and HCC, as well as nanomedicine-based approaches for modulating this metabolism to facilitate the discovery of more effective biomarkers and precision therapeutics for the prevention of MASLD/MASH and HCC.