title: Docosahexaenoic Acid and Its Role in G-Protein-Coupled Receptor 120 Activation in Children Affected by Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.
abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease in children and adults. Recently, therapeutic supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) showed an anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effect in children with NAFLD. The anti-inflammatory effects of DHA depend on its ability to alter phospholipid composition of the cell membrane, to disrupt lipid rafts and to hamper the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-x03BA;B that controls the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. These effects of DHA are due to the interaction with the G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GRP120), a lipid-sensing receptor highly expressed in activated macrophages. In fact, DHA may activate GPR120 expression in macrophages causing anti-inflammatory effects, and insulin-sensitizing and antidiabetic effects in vivo. Recently, it has been shown that GPR120 is also expressed by the Kupffer cells of the liver. A diet low in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as the presence of genetic factors, may induce a reduction in the GRP120 signal and the activation of Kupffer cells and inflammation during NAFLD. Therefore, it is conceivable that DHA/GRP120 may play a key role in slowing the progression of liver damage in patients with NAFLD.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Della Corte
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mosca
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ionata
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nobili
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; C519853:FFAR4 protein, human; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids