Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as a complication of insulin resistance.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a spectrum of liver damage ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, advanced fibrosis, and rarely, progression to cirrhosis. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is thought to be related to insulin resistance and oxidant stress. Truncal obesity, dyslipidema, hypertension, and hyperglycemia are strongly associated with NAFLD; therefore, management of NAFLD entails identification and treatment of metabolic risk factors, improving insulin sensitivity, and increasing antioxidant defenses in the liver. This article briefly summarizes advances in our understanding of the relationship between NAFLD and the insulin resistance (metabolic) syndrome, its prevalence, natural history, and treatment.
Abdelmalek
Manal F
MF
Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Duke University Medical Center, PO Box 3913, Durham, NC 27710, USA. manal.abdelmalek@duke.edu
Diehl
Anna Mae
AM
D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors