The circulating vaspin levels in the mild MAFLD + SS and moderate to severe MAFLD + NASH groups were not significantly different from those in the healthy individuals (SMD = 0.47 [− 0.45, 1.39]; SMD = 0.43 [− 1.30, 2.17]; respectively). This evidence concerns the gene SERPINA12 and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.