Published online Apr 28, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i16.4079
Peer-review started: January 6, 2016
First decision: January 28, 2016
Revised: February 2, 2016
Accepted: March 1, 2016
Article in press: March 2, 2016
Published online: April 28, 2016
Processing time: 104 Days and 4.8 Hours
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. NAFLD includes a wide spectrum of liver conditions ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and advanced hepatic fibrosis. NAFLD has been recognized as a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome linked with insulin resistance. NAFLD should be considered not only a liver specific disease but also an early mediator of systemic diseases. Therefore, NAFLD is usually associated with cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia. NAFLD is highly prevalent in the general population and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The underlying mechanisms and pathogenesis of NAFLD with regard to other medical disorders are not yet fully understood. This review focuses on pathogenesis of NAFLD and its relation with other systemic diseases.
Core tip: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. NAFLD has been recognized as a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome linked with insulin resistance. NAFLD should be considered not only a liver specific disease but also an early mediator of systemic diseases. Therefore, NAFLD is usually associated with cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia. This review focuses on the pathogenesis of NAFLD and its relation with other systemic diseases.