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Review
. 2021 Feb 1;32(1):9-15.
doi: 10.1097/MOL.0000000000000720.

Liver fat storage pathways: methodologies and dietary effects

Kay H M Roumans  1 , Jeremy Basset Sagarminaga  1 , Harry P F Peters  2 , Patrick Schrauwen  1 , Vera B Schrauwen-Hinderling  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Liver fat storage pathways: methodologies and dietary effects

Kay H M Roumans et al. Curr Opin Lipidol. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Nonalcoholic fatty liver is the result of an imbalance between lipid storage [from meal, de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and fatty acid (FA) uptake] and disposal (oxidation and VLDL output). Knowledge on the contribution of each of these pathways to liver fat content in humans is essential to develop tailored strategies to prevent and treat nonalcoholic fatty liver. Here, we review the techniques available to study the different storage pathways and review dietary modulation of these pathways.

Recent findings: The type of carbohydrate and fat could be of importance in modulating DNL, as complex carbohydrates and omega-3 FAs have been shown to reduce DNL. No effects were found on the other pathways, however studies investigating this are scarce.

Summary: Techniques used to assess storage pathways are predominantly stable isotope techniques, which require specific expertise and are costly. Validated biomarkers are often lacking. These methodological limitations also translate into a limited number of studies investigating to what extent storage pathways can be modulated by diet. Further research is needed to elucidate in more detail the impact that fat and carbohydrate type can have on liver fat storage pathways and content.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Overview of liver fat storage and disposal pathways. Storage pathways include direct fat storage from a meal, de novo lipogenesis from carbohydrates and adipose tissue derived non-esterified fatty acid uptake. Liver lipid disposal pathways are mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis after initial ß-oxidation (acetyl-CoA disposal), and triglyceride incorporation into VLDL-particles to be secreted into the circulation.
Box 1
Box 1
no caption available
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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