To further gain insight into the potential functions of these target genes, standard biological processes and pathways analysis of the common DEGs indicated that NAFLD progression from non-fibrosis to advanced fibrosis was inseparable from the glucocorticoid receptor pathway, regulation of transmembrane transporter activity, peroxisome and proteoglycan biosynthetic process. This evidence concerns the gene NR3C1 and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.