PNPLA3 and Hepatic steatosis: As one of the most prevalent forms of chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting more than one-fourth of the global population (1–3), NAFLD is characterized by hepatic steatosis in the absence of secondary factors contributing to a fatty liver, such as prolonged use of specific drugs (e.g., methotrexate and tamoxifen), excessive alcohol consumption, or genetic abnormalities (e.g., PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 polymorphisms) (4–8).