Arterial hypertension, obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: is there any connection?

Abstract

The combination of hypertension, obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurs in medical practice very often. A number of studies have shown that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease increases the risk of cardiovascular disease independently of other predictors and manifestations of the metabolic syndrome. Current issues of research and identification of common pathogenic relationships of obesity, hypertension, and liver steatosis are investigated in the article. According to the analysed literature, it is indicated that insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinaemia are considered as one of the key factors in the development of this comorbidity. The processes of chronic inflammation are increasing with the growth of adipose tissue volume. Some researchers believe that non-specific systemic inflammation combines arterial hypertension, increased body weight (especially abdominal obesity), steatosis, dyslipidaemia, atherogenesis and arteriosclerosis into a single syndrome. The role of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the growth of the thickness of the intima-media complex was studied. It is known that adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ, expresses genes encoding bioactive substances, and secretes certain cytokines. A strong link between dysfunction of adipose tissue in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and in such conditions as metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease was demonstrated. The dysfunction of the endothelium is also advisable to consider as the connecting link between liver disease, obesity and hypertension. Despite some understanding of common pathogenic mechanisms for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hypertension, this comorbid pathology remains the subject of much debate and a variety of studies. key words: arterial hypertension, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, non-specific systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, atherogenesis.

Effects of Prunus cerasus L. Seeds and Juice on Liver Steatosis in an Animal Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

“…Moreover, DIO rats developed a condition of hypertension, compared with the CHOW rats. High blood pressure represents one of the main risk factors for liver injury and hepatic fibrosis [51]. Although tart cherry supplementation did not reduce the increase of body weight in DIO rats, it reduced the oxidative stress condition, the systolic blood pressure, and glycemia values, confirming the positive effects of tart cherry intake on the risk factors of obesity and metabolic syndrome [27,49,52].…”

Manifestações clínicas de pacientes portadores de doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica

“…Segundo Kuzuminova (2016) [18] a hipertensão arterial foi encontrada em mais de 50% dos pacientes com DHGNA, na ausência de outros fatores de risco. Outro estudo relatou que 64% dos pacientes portadores de DHGNA eram hipertensos [19].…”

Effects of Dietary α-Linolenic Acid Treatment and the Efficiency of Its Conversion to Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids in Obesity and Related Diseases

“…The excessive accumulation of fat in obesity (especially abdominal fat) has been associated with a high prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia (increased triglycerides and decreased high-density lipoproteins (HDLs)), insulin insensitivity, and occurrence of persistent, low-grade chronic inflammation [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. The inadequate dietary intake of n−6 and n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may play an important role in the pathophysiology of nutrition-related health problems including those associated with obesity [ 23 ].…”

“…Many nutrition strategies for the prevention of obesity, as well as its management, focus on the dietary intake of PUFAs [ 10 , 11 ]. Moreover, common obesity-associated features such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin insensitivity [ 12 , 13 , 14 ] that lead to the development of metabolic syndrome and increase the risk for the development of cardiovascular and other diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cancer are not found in all obese subjects [ 15 , 16 ]. ALA may play an important role in obesity and related diseases as well as obesity-associated comorbidities [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], but its effects are generally inconsistent and understudied, so future well-designed controlled clinical trials could be needed.…”