Rector RS, Thyfault JP, Wei Y, Ibdah JA. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the metabolic syndrome: An update. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14(2): 185-192 [PMID: 18186553 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.185]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Jamal A Ibdah, MD, PhD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, M580 Health Science Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65212, United States. ibdahj@health.missouri.edu
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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2008; 14(2): 185-192 Published online Jan 14, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.185
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the metabolic syndrome: An update
R Scott Rector, John P Thyfault, Yongzhong Wei, Jamal A Ibdah
R Scott Rector, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, United States
John P Thyfault, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Medical Center, and Departments of Nutritional Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, United States
Yongzhong Wei, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Medical Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, United States
Jamal A Ibdah, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Medical Center, and Departments of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, United States
Correspondence to: Jamal A Ibdah, MD, PhD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, M580 Health Science Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65212, United States. ibdahj@health.missouri.edu
Telephone: +1-573-8820482
Fax: +1-573-8844595
Received: July 25, 2007 Revised: September 29, 2007 Published online: January 14, 2008
Abstract
Sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary choices are leading to a weight gain epidemic in westernized countries, subsequently increasing the risk for developing the metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is estimated to affect approximate 30% of the general US population and is considered the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Recent findings linking the components of the metabolic syndrome with NAFLD and the progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) will be reviewed; in particular, the role of visceral adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and adipocytokines in the exacerbation of these conditions. While no therapy has been proven effective for treating NAFLD/NASH, common recommendations will be discussed.
