A bibliometric analysis of macrophages associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease research from 2005 to 2023

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver condition associated with the risk of progressing to decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. While macrophages play a crucial role in the development of NAFLD, their heterogeneity and plasticity allow them to undertake diverse roles in immune response, tissue repair, and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Thus, the exact involvement of macrophages in the onset and progression of NAFLD remains to be further explored. This study aims to employ bibliometric analysis to elucidate the role of macrophages in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, analyze research focal points in this domain, and speculate on future research trends. The literature search, conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection, encompassed articles and reviews related to macrophages and NAFLD published between 2005 and 2023. A bibliometric analysis of 1264 extracted publications was performed using VOSviewer 1.6.17 and Citespace 6.1. R2, evaluating parameters such as spatial and temporal distribution, authors, thematic categories, topic distribution, references, and keywords. The findings revealed a steady global increase in publications in this field, with the United States contributing the most followed by China. The University of California System produced the highest volume of publications, while the Journal of Hepatology had the highest impact factors among the top 10 publishing journals. Tacke Frank emerged as both the most prolific author and the most cited. Co-occurrence and burst analysis of keywords and references highlighted the hotspots in this research area, emphasizing the mechanisms of NAFLD pathogenesis, metabolic regulation, immune modulation, and oxidative stress. Maintaining hepatic homeostasis by liver macrophages and macrophage polarization were identified as trending research directions in this field. Based on the bibliometric analysis, continued attention toward NAFLD therapeutic research involving hepatic macrophages is anticipated. As the mechanisms underlying NAFLD pathogenesis are further elucidated, the development of more treatment approaches related to macrophage immunology and metabolic regulation may expand therapeutic options. This study offers valuable insights into the current state and future trends in the field, providing beneficial guidance to researchers aiming to make significant contributions.