Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms in the pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: The role of genetics.

ABSTRACT: Classically, the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) physiopathology and progression has been summarized in the two hits hypothesis. The first hit is represented by the action of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, accompanying obesity, that leads to liver steatosis increasing the absolute non esterified fatty acids uptake in the liver and the esterification to form triacylglycerol. The oxidative stress is involved in the second hit leading to the progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) because of its harmful action on steatosic hepatocytes. However, at the present time, the two hits hypothesis needs to be updated because of the discover of genetic polymorphisms involved both in the liver fat accumulation and progression to NASH that make more intriguing understanding

SUBMITTER: Marzuillo P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4462683 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature