ALB and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Each component of the CALLY index is biologically relevant to NAFLD pathogenesis: albumin reflects hepatic synthetic function and nutritional reserve and is typically reduced in chronic inflammation [16]; lymphocytes contribute to immune surveillance and inflammatory regulation, and their decrease signals impaired immune homeostasis [17]; C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acutephase reactant that indicates systemic lowgrade inflammation and has been strongly associated with hepatic fat accumulation and progression to steatohepatitis [18].