Table 2.

Alterations in gut fungal species in patients with NAFLD/MAFLD.

Condition	Fungal species (abundance change)	Potential role in liver metabolism	References
NAFLD	Candida albicans (↑)	Pro-inflammatory effects; activates Toll-like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4) and NF-κB pathway, leading to hepatic inflammation and triglyceride production.	You et al., (2021) and Demir et al. (2022)
	Saccharomyces cerevisiae (↑)	Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains β-glucans with immunomodulatory properties; may improve insulin resistance by activating anti-inflammatory pathways.	You et al. (2021) and Demir et al. (2022)
	Saccharomyces cerevisiae (↑)	Saccharomyces cerevisiae may have protective effects on liver metabolism.	You et al. (2021) and Demir et al. (2022)
MAFLD	Mucor ambiguus (↑)	Positively correlated with increased levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, ALT, and AST; may trigger chronic low-grade inflammation via NF-κB pathway activation, affecting liver metabolism.	Niu et al. (2023)
	Saccharomyces cerevisiae (↓)	Reduction associated with higher GGT levels and fasting serum insulin; its cell wall components have anti-inflammatory effects; decrease may worsen insulin resistance.	Niu et al. (2023)
	Schizosaccharomyces pombe (↓)	Similar to S. cerevisiae; reduction may exacerbate insulin resistance and affect hepatic lipid metabolism.	Niu et al. (2023)
	Saccharomyces paradoxus (↓)	Potentially beneficial; reduction may negatively impact liver metabolism.	Niu et al. (2023)
	Saccharomyces pastorianus (↓)	Potential beneficial effects; reduction may be detrimental to liver metabolism.	Niu et al. (2023)
	Purpureocillium lilacinum (↓)	Less studied; reduction may impact gut health and liver metabolism; further research needed.	Niu et al. (2023)