Furthermore, a bidirectional mechanism might accelerate liver fibrosis in MASLD as well as the progression of aortic stiffening.295,296 Villela-Noguiera and colleagues suggested that AGEs and subsequent NFκB activation and/or low adiponectin levels are potential causes of aortic stiffening and fibrosis.296. The gene discussed is ADIPOQ; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.