title: Serum uric acid: a new therapeutic target for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major, worldwide public health problem. NAFLD is recognized as a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. However, physicians are currently limited by available treatment options. Recently, numerous studies have reported a correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) and NAFLD with numerous clinical and experimental studies demonstrating a significant correlation. This review will focus on the role of SUA in the development of NAFLD and its potential role as a new target for therapeutic intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review discusses SUA as a significant independent factor in the development of NAFLD. Moreover, we introduce the causal relationship between SUA, metabolic syndrome, and NAFLD. We discuss two major theories of insulin resistance and inflammasomes as potential explanations of the mechanistic link between SUA and NAFLD. In addition, we review current and emerging therapeutic medications to control appropriate SUA levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is an urgent need to develop novel, safe and effective therapies for the growing NAFLD epidemic. Reduction of SUA may be a promising potential treatment for patients with NAFLD. Clinical studies are required to determine the therapeutic effect of attenuation of hyperuricemia in humans with NAFLD.
authors.affiliation: a 1 Nanjing Medical University, Affiliated Wuxi Second Hospital, Department of Nephrology , Wuxi 214002, China.
authors.forename: Dan-Qin
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: b 2 The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, the Heart Center, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine , Wenzhou 325000, China.
authors.forename: Sheng-Jie
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: c 3 The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Department of Endocrinology , Wenzhou 325000, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Yue
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: a 1 Nanjing Medical University, Affiliated Wuxi Second Hospital, Department of Nephrology , Wuxi 214002, China.
authors.forename: Qian-Di
authors.initials: QD
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: d 4 The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Liver Research Center, Department of Infection and Liver Diseases , Wenzhou 325000, China zhengmh@wmu.edu.cn and sdwx66@163.com.|e 5 Wenzhou Medical University, School of the First Clinical Medical Sciences , Wenzhou 325000, China.
authors.forename: Gui-Qi
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: d 4 The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Liver Research Center, Department of Infection and Liver Diseases , Wenzhou 325000, China zhengmh@wmu.edu.cn and sdwx66@163.com.|f 6 Wenzhou Medical University, Institute of Hepatology , Wenzhou 325000, China.
authors.forename: Ke-Qing
authors.initials: KQ
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: g 7 Global Medicines Development, AstraZeneca R&D , Alderley Park, UK.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braddock
authors.affiliation: a 1 Nanjing Medical University, Affiliated Wuxi Second Hospital, Department of Nephrology , Wuxi 214002, China.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: d 4 The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Liver Research Center, Department of Infection and Liver Diseases , Wenzhou 325000, China zhengmh@wmu.edu.cn and sdwx66@163.com.|f 6 Wenzhou Medical University, Institute of Hepatology , Wenzhou 325000, China.
authors.forename: Ming-Hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D058847:Inflammasomes / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D058847:Inflammasomes; D014527:Uric Acid
keywords: metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, inflammasomes, therapeutic options; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; serum uric acid