Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy; Italian College of General Practitioners and Primary Care, Bari, Italy.
CNC Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, UC-Biotech Building, Biocant Park, Cantanhede, Portugal; Center for Investigation Vasco da Gama (CIVG), Department of Veterinary Medicine, Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama, Coimbra, Portugal.
Biochem Pharmacol. 2019 Feb;160:34-45. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.11.020. Epub 2018 Nov 30.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes. NAFLD is the most frequent chronic liver disease in developed countries, and is often associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. NAFLD definition encompasses a spectrum of chronic liver abnormalities, ranging from simple steatosis (NAFL), to steatohepatitis (NASH), significant liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD, therefore, represents a global public health issue. Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in NAFLD, and contributes to the progression to the necro-inflammatory and fibrotic form (NASH). Disrupted mitochondrial function is associated with a decrease in the energy levels and impaired redox balance, and negatively affects cell survival by altering overall metabolism and subcellular trafficking. Such events reduce the tolerance of hepatocytes towards damaging hits, and favour the injurious effects of extra-cellular factors. Here, we discuss the role of mitochondria in NAFLD and focus on potential therapeutic approaches aimed at preserving mitochondrial function.
非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）是一种以肝细胞内甘油三酯过度积累为特征的疾病。NAFLD 是发达国家最常见的慢性肝病，常与肥胖和 2 型糖尿病等代谢紊乱有关。NAFLD 的定义包括一系列慢性肝脏异常，从单纯性脂肪变性（NAFL）到脂肪性肝炎（NASH）、显著的肝纤维化、肝硬化和肝细胞癌。因此，NAFLD 是一个全球性的公共卫生问题。线粒体功能障碍发生在 NAFLD 中，并导致向坏死性炎症和纤维化形式（NASH）的进展。线粒体功能障碍与能量水平降低和氧化还原平衡受损有关，并通过改变整体代谢和亚细胞运输来影响细胞存活。这些事件降低了肝细胞对损伤的耐受能力，并促进了细胞外因素的损伤作用。在这里，我们讨论了线粒体在 NAFLD 中的作用，并重点介绍了旨在维持线粒体功能的潜在治疗方法。
