PRKN and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: These findings suggest that the PINK1/Parkin and BNIP3 pathways of mitophagy play a beneficial role in the progression of NAFLD by effectively eliminating damaged mitochondria while promoting the generation of new mitochondria through PGC-1α-mediated mechanisms, thereby facilitating hepatocyte mitochondrial renewal and ensuring mitochondrial stability.