Oxidative Stress in NAFLD: Role of Nutrients and Food Contaminants

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often the hepatic expression of metabolic syndrome and its comorbidities that comprise, among others, obesity and insulin-resistance. NAFLD involves a large spectrum of clinical conditions. These range from steatosis, a benign liver disorder characterized by the accumulation of fat in hepatocytes, to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterized by inflammation, hepatocyte damage, and liver fibrosis. NASH can further progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The etiology of NAFLD involves both genetic and environmental factors, including an unhealthy lifestyle. Of note, unhealthy eating is clearly associated with NAFLD development and progression to NASH. Both macronutrients (sugars, lipids, proteins) and micronutrients (vitamins, phytoingredients, antioxidants) affect NAFLD pathogenesis. Furthermore, some evidence indicates disruption of metabolic homeostasis by food contaminants, some of which are risk factor candidates in NAFLD. At the molecular level, several models have been proposed for the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Most importantly, oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage have been reported to be causative in NAFLD initiation and progression. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the contribution of nutrients and food contaminants, especially pesticides, to oxidative stress and how they may influence NAFLD pathogenesis.

Lupinus angustifolius Protein Hydrolysates Reduce Abdominal Adiposity and Ameliorate Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) in Western Diet Fed-ApoE−/− Mice

“…In this regard, clinical evidences have demonstrated the beneficial action of antioxidants in lipid metabolism dysfunction such as MAFLD. Both classical antioxidants (vitamins C and E) and other natural dietary antioxidants such as coffee components or flavonoids (hesperetin and derivates) have been described as potential therapies in MAFLD [ 54 , 55 ]. MAFLD patients have high levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation products, as well as decreased activity of the main antioxidant enzymes, compared to healthy subjects [ 56 , 57 ].…”

Clinical Relevance of Vitamins and Carotenoids With Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis Detected by Transient Elastography in Adults

“…The most effective type of longterm treatment of NAFLD remains lifestyle modification (4,5). Although the pathogenesis of NAFLD is not well-understood, the leading hypothesis is the hepatic fat accumulation owing to insulin resistance followed by oxidative stress arising from reactive oxygen species produced primarily by mitochondria (6,7). The liver plays a critical role in the metabolism of vitamins, and deregulation of vitamins metabolism may contribute to the initiation and progression of NAFLD (6)(7)(8).…”

Protective effects of Dendrobium candidum Wall ex Lindl. on high‐fat diet‐induced liver damage in mice

“…Therefore, efforts must be made to reduce the burden of NAFLD.NAFLD is characterized by abnormal lipid accumulation in hepatocytes (Boutari et al, 2018). Studies have revealed that being overweight, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance are the main causes of NAFLD (Gomaraschi et al, 2019;Rives et al, 2020). NAFLD can progressively develop into cirrhosis and subsequently into hepatocellular carcinoma.…”