The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is growing in parallel with that of metabolic diseases. NAFLD and metabolic syndrome, which exacerbates the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, have been shown to be heavily interlinked. Despite recent findings regarding NAFLD’s metabolic basis, its molecular basis remains unclear.
No pharmacologic therapies have yet been approved for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), its progressive form. Instead, NAFLD is currently managed by lifestyle interventions, including dietary modifications and physical exercise. Despite this, evidence regarding the effect of exercise on NAFLD-associated histological endpoints is lacking.
A 2022 study by Ajmera and colleagues examined the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in older patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The strong association between T2D, NAFLD, and its progressive form non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been extensively underscored by recent literature.
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in China has increased by 60% between 2000 and 2018. This trend is expected to intensify during the next decade. Chinese young adults (CYA) will thus be disproportionately burdened by NAFLD and its potential progression into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
The circadian clock controls rhythms responsible for regulating bodily functions, e.g., appropriate eating times. When this clock becomes disrupted due to factors such as irregular daily eating patterns or weekly schedules, it instead promotes lipid dysregulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
The circadian clock controls rhythms responsible for regulating bodily functions, e.g., appropriate eating times. When this clock becomes disrupted due to factors such as irregular daily eating patterns or weekly schedules, it instead promotes lipid dysregulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive and specific non-invasive tool (NIT) for the evaluation and quantification of hepatic steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, it remains a relatively expensive tool, and is not routinely used in clinical practice.
The circadian clock controls rhythms responsible for regulating bodily functions, e.g., appropriate eating times. When this clock becomes disrupted due to factors such as irregular daily eating patterns or weekly schedules, it instead promotes lipid dysregulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
Recent reviews have highlighted the existence of an association between microRNAs (miRNAs) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). miRNAs have been linked to cholesterol metabolism, which is significantly dysregulated in NAFLD and leads to hepatic free cholesterol accumulation.
Several recent studies have suggested the existence of a relationship between sex-based differences, liver injury, and cell survival in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). B cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl6), a nuclear transcription factor responsible for the regulation of sex-biased functional gene expression in the liver, has been linked to NASH.
Strong clinical evidence exists to support the existence of an association between mental illness and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is known that NAFLD is highly comorbid with psychiatric illness, and patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia possess increased prevalence of metabolic liver disease.
There is little awareness among cardiologists regarding the contribution of fatty liver to cardiovascular (CVD) risk. Debates surrounding the importance of screening for fatty liver disease compared to other recognized cardiometabolic risk factors are ongoing.