Molecular basis of alcoholic fatty liver disease: From incidence to treatment

Abstract

Alcoholic liver diseases have complex and multiple pathogenic mechanisms but still no effective treatment. Steatosis or alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) has a widespread incidence and is the first step in the progression to more severe stages of alcoholic liver disease, with concomitant increases in morbidity and mortality rates. The ways in which this progression occurs and why some individuals are susceptible are still unanswered scientific questions. Research with animal models and clinical evidence have shown that it is a multifactorial disease that involves interactions between lipid metabolism, inflammation, the immune response and oxidative stress. Each of these pathways provides a better understanding of the pathogenesis of AFLD and contributes to the development of therapeutic strategies. This review emphasizes the importance of research on alcoholic steatosis based on incidence data, key pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic interventions, and discusses perspectives on the progression of this disease.

Ameliorative effects of autophagy inducer, simvastatin on alcohol‐induced liver disease in a rat model

“…Alcoholic liver diseases have complex and numerous pathogenic mechanisms, but there is still no effective treatment. Previous experimental studies and clinical signs have revealed that it is a multifactorial disease involving interactions between lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune response . To provide more effective treatments, clarification of the mechanism by which ethanol metabolism causes lipid accumulation in the liver is mandatory …”

“…Previous experimental studies and clinical signs have revealed that it is a multifactorial disease involving interactions between lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune response. 23 To provide more effective treatments, clarification of the mechanism by which ethanol metabolism causes lipid accumulation in the liver is mandatory. 24 In the current study, the alcohol-induced liver damage was associated with increased ALT and AST levels in the ethanol-treated group; simvastatin treatment reduced their levels with the lowest levels observed in ethanol group that was cotreated with simvastatin.…”

Inhibition of PARP Activity Attenuated Hepatic Triglyceride Accumulation in Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mice

“…It may progress to alcoholic liver disease (ALD) which is a major cause of illness and death in the United States [1,2]. The pathogenesis of AFLD is not well established.…”

Fractionation of gamma-glutamyltransferase in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease

“…Detection of patients with high alcohol intake by general practitioners is not necessarily easy[8,9]. Accurate diagnosis of NAFLD relies on a liver biopsy; hence, a less-invasive evaluation strategy is desirable[10].…”