Current Concepts in the Pathogenesis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nahum Méndez-Sánchez; Marco Arrese; Daniel Zamora-Valdés; Misael Uribe

Liver International. 2007;27(4):423-433.

Conclusions

NAFLD is currently the commonest cause for elevated liver enzymes in clinical practice. Its pathophysiology is complex but insulin resistance seems to be critical in both its development and progression. Future prospects of therapy are based on a better knowledge of NAFLD pathophysiology, particularly on the role of oxidative stress and certain adipokines such as TNF-α and adiponectin. Finally, given the epidemic nature of NAFLD and its close association with obesity and metabolic syndrome, large-scale and integrated health interventions are advisable aiming to promote lifestyle changes among the general population and particularly in children and adolescents. This would surely impact on the NAFLD-related disease's burden in the near future.

CLICK HERE for subscription information about this journal.

1 2 3

Next Section

Funding information

This work was partially supported by a Grant from the Fondo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (FONDECYT #1050780 to Marco Arrese) and a Grant from the Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation to Nahum Méndez-Sánchez.

Abbreviation Notes

ACC = acetyl-CoA carboxylase; DNL = de novo lipogenesis; FAS = fatty acid synthetase; FFA = free fatty acid; HNE = hydroxynonenal; IR = insulin receptor; IRS = insulin receptor substrate; JNK = c-Jun N-terminal kinase; LXR = liver X receptor; MDA = malondialdehyde; MTP = microsomal triglyceride transfer; NAFLD = nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; NASH = nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; PPAR = peroxisome proliferators activator receptor; PUFA = polyunsaturated fatty acid; ROS = reactive oxygen species; RXR = retinoid C receptor; SCD-1 = stearoyl-CoA desaturase; SOCS = suppressor of cytokine signaling; SREBP = sterol-regulatory element-binding protein; TG = triglyceride; TGF-ß = transforming growth factor-beta; TNF-α = tumor necrosis factor alpha; VLDL = very-low density lipoprotein.

Reprint Address

Nahum Méndez-Sánchez, MD, PhD, Departments of Biomedical Research, Gastroenterology & Liver Unit, Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation, Puente de Piedra 150, Col. Toriello Guerra, Mexico City, Mexico. Tel: +525 55606 6222, ext. 4215. Fax: +525 55666 4031. E-mail: nmendez@medicasur.org.mx

Cite this: Current Concepts in the Pathogenesis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - Medscape - May 01, 2007.

Comments

Commenting is limited to medical professionals. To comment please Log-in.

Comments on Medscape are moderated and should be professional in tone and on topic. You must declare any conflicts of interest related to your comments and responses. Please see our Commenting Guide for further information. We reserve the right to remove posts at our sole discretion.