Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Pathogenesis and Noninvasive Diagnosis

Abstract

The global prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), as it is now known, has gradually increased. NAFLD is a disease with a spectrum of stages ranging from simple fatty liver (steatosis) to a severe form of steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which could progress to irreversible liver injury (fibrosis) and organ failure, and in some cases hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although a liver biopsy remains the gold standard for accurate detection of this condition, it is unsuitable for clinical screening due to a higher risk of death. There is thus an increased need to find alternative techniques or tools for accurate diagnosis. Early detection for NASH matters for patients because NASH is the marker for severe disease progression. This review summarizes the current noninvasive tools for NAFLD diagnosis and their performance. We also discussed potential and newer alternative tools for diagnosing NAFLD.

Helminth infection and helminth-derived products: A novel therapeutic option for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

“…Considering that obesity is common characteristic in patients with NAFLD ( 4 ), obesity along with overnutrition may contribute to various injuries and thus lead to lipid accumulation in the liver ( 32 ). Therefore, the mechanisms of hepatic steatosis development driven by excessive hepatic lipid accumulation need to be understood.…”

“…The main components of lipids or triglycerides (TG) accumulated in the human liver are primarily derived from circulating free fatty acids (FFAs) in adipose tissue ( 33 , 34 ). De novo lipogenesis (DNL) and dietary fat intake are two important pathways for hepatic lipid accumulation ( 27 , 32 , 34 ). Lipolysis is a process in which fat is hydrolyzed into glycerol and fatty acid (FA) under the action of lipase, thus providing energy for the body ( 32 ).…”

“…De novo lipogenesis (DNL) and dietary fat intake are two important pathways for hepatic lipid accumulation ( 27 , 32 , 34 ). Lipolysis is a process in which fat is hydrolyzed into glycerol and fatty acid (FA) under the action of lipase, thus providing energy for the body ( 32 ). The lipase that catalyzes TG is a rate-limiting enzyme and is governed by a large number of hormones.…”

Diagnostic scores and scales for appraising Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and omics perspectives for precision medicine

“…However, application is expensive, which is a limitation. Overall, these index models’ diagnostic performance is acceptable, however they cannot distinguish steatosis grades or differentiate among NAFLD individuals with and without NASH [36].…”

Research Progress on the Mechanism of Acupuncture Treatment for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

“…Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now known as metabolically associated fatty liver disease, represents a common liver disease affecting approximately 30% of the global population [ 1 ]. NAFLD can develop into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis under chronic low-grade aseptic inflammatory conditions, potentially leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma [ 2 ].…”