Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An expanded review

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses the simple steatosis to more progressive steatosis with associated hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and in some cases hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD is a growing epidemic, not only in the United States, but worldwide in part due to obesity and insulin resistance leading to liver accumulation of triglycerides and free fatty acids. Numerous risk factors for the development of NAFLD have been espoused with most having some form of metabolic derangement or insulin resistance at the core of its pathophysiology. NAFLD patients are at increased risk of liver-related as well as cardiovascular mortality, and NAFLD is rapidly becoming the leading indication for liver transplantation. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for definitive diagnosis, but the development of noninvasive advanced imaging, biochemical and genetic tests will no doubt provide future clinicians with a great deal of information and opportunity for enhanced understanding of the pathogenesis and targeted treatment. As it currently stands several medications/supplements are being used in the treatment of NAFLD; however, none seem to be the “magic bullet” in curtailing this growing problem yet. In this review we summarized the current knowledge of NAFLD epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, pathogenesis, pathologic changes, natural history, and treatment in order to aid in further understanding this disease and better managing NAFLD patients.

Mortality Associated with Hepatobiliary Disease in Portugal between 2006 and 2012

“…In Portugal, high alcohol consumption and hepatitis C are the two main causes of HCC [17,18]. Other emerging causes of chronic liver disease with increasing importance are non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes [19], and liver disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, mainly caused by hepatitis C due to the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy and consequently longer survival of these patients [20,21].…”

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) as a potential therapeutic target in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and associated syndromes

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Неалкогольная жировая болезнь печени (НАЖБП) -ассоциированная с ожирением группа патологических изменений [1], характеризующихся аномальным нако-плением липидов в гепатоцитах в отсутствие хрониче-ского употребления алкоголя в гепатотоксических до-зах (более 40 мг в день для мужчин и более 20 мг в день для женщин при ежедневном употреблении). Наличие НАЖБП ассоциируется с развитием инсулинорезистент-ности, метаболического синдрома и сахарного диабета 2 типа (СД2), а также риском развития фиброза и цир-роза печени с возможным исходом в печеночно-кле-точный рак.

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Octopus (<i>Enterocopus dofleini</i>) Liver Extract Displays Triglyceride-Lowering Effect in HepG2 Cells

“…Excessive alcohol intake causes fatty liver under a condition characterized by large accumulation of triglycerides and other fats in liver cells [1][2][3]. The accumulation of fatty acid in the liver depends on the balance between the processes of its delivery and removal and may be associated with a decrease in the mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation, increase in the endogenous fatty acid synthesis, or enhancement in the delivery of fatty acids to the liver [4].…”