Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: All subjects: 1. Age 21-70 years 2. Ability to provide informed consent. MASLD group: 1. Hepatic steatosis on MRI 2. BMI of 25-50 kg/m2 Controls: 1. Absence of hepatic steatosis on MRI 2. BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 3. No chronic disease 4. No long-term medications Exclusion Criteria: 1. Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c \> 8%) 2. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus 3. Clinically significant anemia (Haemoglobin \< 10 g/dL) 4. Chronic liver disorders (except MASLD) such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis, chronic cholestatic disorders, and liver cirrhosis 5. Drugs that may induce hepatic steatosis, such as methotrexate, amiodarone, tamoxifen, or Systemic steroid usage (eg. prednisolone, hydrocortisone, cortisone, dexamethasone) 6. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR \< 30 ml/min) 7. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) \> 3x upper limit of normal (ULN) 8. Serum aspartate transaminase (AST) \> 3x ULN 9. Liver cirrhosis 10. Significant alcohol consumption (\> 20g/day for women and \>30g/day for men) 11. Receiving weight loss medications or GLP-1 receptor agonists 12. Pregnancy 13. Uncontrolled thyroid disease 14. Previous bariatric surgery 15. Weight loss \> 5% in the past 1 month 16. Metallic implants (including incompatible pacemakers, AICD, metallic heart valves) or other contraindications to MRI 17. Claustrophobia 18. Any factors likely to limit adherence to study protocol (e.g., dementia; alcohol or substance abuse; history of unreliability in medication taking or appointment keeping; significant concerns about participation in the study from spouse, significant other, or family members)