Significant differences were observed for all 18 MRDEGs, with FADS2 significantly upregulated in the NAFLD group and MAP1LC3B, TFRC, TUBB6, NAMPT, GFPT2, NR4A1, MYH11, EPHA2, PPARGC1A, DDX5, BAG3, SLC2A3, PPP2R2A, P4HA1, DPYSL3, MBNL2, and DUSP1 exhibiting significant down-regulation in NAFLD samples compared to the Control group. Here, FADS2 is linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.