Research progress on the mitochondrial mechanism of age-related non-alcoholic fatty liver

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Reduced activity and slower metabolism in the elderly affect the balance of lipid metabolism in the liver leading to the accumulation of lipids. This affects the mitochondrial respiratory chain and the efficiency of β-oxidation and induces the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. In addition, the dynamic balance of the mitochondria is disrupted during the ageing process, which inhibits its phagocytic function and further aggravates liver injury, leading to a higher incidence of NAFLD in the elderly population. The present study reviewed the manifestations, role and mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction in the progression of NAFLD in the elderly. Based on the understanding of mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal lipid metabolism, this study discusses the treatment strategies and the potential therapeutic targets for NAFLD, including lipid accumulation, antioxidation, mitophagy and liver-protecting drugs. The purpose is to provide new ideas for the development of innovative drugs for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Chronic stress alters hepatic metabolism and thermodynamic respiratory efficiency affecting epigenetics in C57BL/6 mice

“…Mitochondrial dynamics are crucial in metabolic adaptation, viability, aging, or bioenergetics, 32 and metabolic diseases prompt mitochondrial function adjustments. 47 Mitochondrial biology responds to stressors cell type-specific with quantitative changes in ATP synthesis, net energy equivalents, and ROS production, as well as qualitative changes in mitochondrial dynamics and substrate preferences. 17 Studies in veterans with PTSD have shown age and stress-related responses in mitochondrial function and copy number in various tissues.…”

Editor-in-Chief articles of choice and comments at the year-end of 2023

“…WJG v29i13: The articles are well-selected and interesting, overall. I especially like the following two papers: (1) Nonalcoholic fatty liver topic: “Research progress on the mitochondrial mechanism of age-related non-alcoholic fatty liver”[ 31 ]; and (2) Intestinal symptoms topic: “Interferon-lambda: New functions on intestinal symptoms in COVID-19”. For the latter, I suggest changing the title to “Interferon-lambda: New role in intestinal symptoms of COVID-19”[ 32 ].…”

Multi-omics Analysis of Aging Liver Reveals Changes in Endoplasmic Stress and Degradation Pathways in Female Nonhuman Primates

“…Our recent NHP studies aim to better understand human disease processes have focused on genetics, epigenetics, caloric restriction, maternal caloric restriction and offspring health, maternal obesity and offspring health, NASH, and steatosis (Zimmerman et al 2023, Puppala et al 2022. In humans, studies comparing diseased vs. healthy liver have shown decline in cellular and biological functions (Wang et al 2023, Campagnoli et al 2022. However, little is known about age-related molecular changes in healthy liver.…”