Novel insights into the pathophysiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common form of chronic liver disease affecting both adults and children in the United States and many other parts of the world. NAFLD encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions associated with overaccumulation of lipids in the liver. It is strongly associated with obesity and insulin resistance and has been growingly recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this review, recently uncovered novel aspects of the molecular events responsible for the development and progression of this highly prevalent and potentially serious disease are discussed. These studies bring new insights that may significantly impact the clinical approach to patients with NAFLD, from novel diagnostics to innovative therapeutic strategies.