Animal models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition in which excess fat accumulates in the liver of a patient without a history of alcohol abuse. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of NAFLD, can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD is regarded as a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and incidence has been increasing worldwide in line with the increased prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipemia. Animal models of NAFLD/NASH give crucial information, not only in elucidating pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH but also in examining therapeutic effects of various agents. An ideal model of NAFLD/NASH should correctly reflect both hepatic histopathology and pathophysiology of human NAFLD/NASH. Animal models of NAFLD/NASH are divided into genetic, dietary, and combination models. In this paper, we review commonly used animal models of NAFLD/NASH referring to their advantages and disadvantages.
Department of Pathology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan. ytakaha-tky@umin.ac.jp
Yoshihisa
Y
Takahashi
Yurie
Y
Soejima
Toshio
T
Fukusato
D000818:Animals; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D059305:Diet, High-Fat; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000235:genetics*; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease