miR-212-3p, but not miR-212-5p is involved in MAFLD. (A) miR-212-3p, but not miR-212-5p expression, was elevated in HFD and decreased by exercise (n=6). (B) miR-212-3p, but not miR-212-5p expression, was elevated in patients with MAFLD (n=4). (C) miR-212-3p, but not miR-212-5p expression, was elevated in the FFA-treated cell model (n=3). (D) Functional enrichment analysis of the target gene. (E) miR-212-3p was overexpressed/knocked down by miR-212-3p mimics/inhibitor, respectively. (F) miR-212-3p negatively regulated FGF21/CHD1 at the protein level under FFA treatment. The data are presented as the mean ± SEM. *P<0.05, **P<0.01 and ***P<0.001. NS, not significant; MAFLD, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease; HFD, high-fat diet; FFA, free fatty acid; FGF21, fibroblast growth factor 21; CHD1, chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 1; HE, high-fat diet and exercise.