Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Insights into pathogenesis, molecular mechanisms, and therapy

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease prevalent worldwide, which affects patients' quality of life, and has become a significant health and economic issue. NAFLD has been classified into nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Understanding how biochemical pathways affect illness development and progression on an individual level is critical for effective care. In this review, the current understandings of the risk factors affecting the progression of NAFLD are summarized. Moreover, the review highlights the multifaceted pathogenesis of NAFLD, in addition to the molecular mechanisms that promote to the advancement and progression of NAFLD for example lipotoxicity, insulin resistance, proinflammatory cytokines and inflammation, oxidative damage and mitochondrial malfunction, additionally, gut microbiota and bacterial dysbiosis. In addition, this review highlights lifestyle adjustments, and therapeutics with favorable prospects used for the management of NAFLD. Medicinal treatments used for their potential benefits, such as drugs targeting gut microbiota, as well as lipid lowering drugs are discussed.