Comment: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a modern plague that affects more and more populations with increasing prevalence. NAFLD is often considered to be primarily a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome with an a priori increased risk for morbidity and mortality in particular from cardiovascular events. Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), or bland steatosis, can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterized by the presence of hepatocellular ballooning and chronic inflammation in addition to steatosis. Patients with NASH are threatened by the additional risk of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the exact molecular mechanisms contributing to disease progression are yet to be fully defined, there is emerging evidence that intrahepatic lipid homeostasis and liver-adipose tissue cross talk are two key factors for the development and progression of NAFLD. In particular the adipocytokine adiponectin has been shown to exert hepatoprotective properties and to be reduced in patients with NAFLD.
2013-07-15 | 444 visitas | Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones
Vol. 12 Núm.4. Julio-Agosto 2013 Pags. 642-643 Ann Hepatol 2013; 12(4)