Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 14, 2013; 19(6): 802-812
Published online Feb 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i6.802
What is the role of adiponectin in obesity related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
Carmine Finelli, Giovanni Tarantino
Carmine Finelli, Giovanni Tarantino, Center of Obesity and Eating Disorder, Stella Maris Mediterraneum Foundation, 80035 Potenza, Italy
Carmine Finelli, Giovanni Tarantino, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Author contributions: Both authors contributed equally to the design and draft of manuscript.
Correspondence to: Giovanni Tarantino, Professor, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy. tarantin@unina.it
Telephone: +39-81-7462024 Fax: +39-81-5466152
Received: June 26, 2012
Revised: December 3, 2012
Accepted: December 15, 2012
Published online: February 14, 2013
Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized as the most common type of chronic liver disease in Western countries. Insulin resistance is a key factor in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, the latter being considered as the hepatic component of insulin resistance or obesity. Adiponectin is the most abundant adipose-specific adipokine. There is evidence that adiponectin decreases hepatic and systematic insulin resistance, and attenuates liver inflammation and fibrosis. Adiponectin generally predicts steatosis grade and the severity of NAFLD; however, to what extent this is a direct effect or related to the presence of more severe insulin resistance or obesity remains to be addressed. Although there is no proven pharmacotherapy for the treatment of NAFLD, recent therapeutic strategies have focused on the indirect upregulation of adiponectin through the administration of various therapeutic agents and/or lifestyle modifications. In this adiponectin-focused review, the pathogenetic role and the potential therapeutic benefits of adiponectin in NAFLD are analyzed systematically.

Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Obesity; Adiponectin; Visceral fat; Adipokines