Risk factors and mechanisms of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
The worldwide proportion of overweight and obese individuals has increased yearly for more than a decade. Along with rates of obesity, the incidence of co-morbid conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and liver disease has also increased. The form of liver disease associated with obesity is termed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) due to the histological similarities to livers of chronic alcoholics. NASH has been observed in adult as well as pediatric populations; however, the etiology of this disease is still unknown. This review outlines some of the risk factors commonly associated with NASH and describes molecular mechanisms proposed to underlie disease pathogenesis.
Rivera
Chantal A
CA
Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130, United States.