Published online Oct 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14205
Revised: February 13, 2014
Accepted: June 26, 2014
Published online: October 21, 2014
Processing time: 334 Days and 22.3 Hours
Core tip: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common form of chronic liver disease. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress play a key role in the physiopathology of NAFLD. Mitochondrial respiratory chain is the main source of reactive oxygen species, which may damage mitochondrial proteins, lipids and mitochondrial DNA. Cardiolipin, a phospholipid of the inner mitochondrial membrane, plays an important role in mitochondrial bioenergetics and in apoptosis. Cardiolipin abnormalities have been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in several physiopathological conditions, including NAFLD. In this review, we focus on the potential roles played by oxidative stress and cardiolipin alterations in mitochondrial dysfunction in NAFLD.