Traslational Research Unit, Médica Sur Clinic & Foundation , Mexico City, Mexico.
Obesity and Digestive Diseases Unit, Médica Sur Clinic & Foundation , Mexico City, Mexico.
Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Aug;14(8):733-748. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2020.1780915. Epub 2020 Jun 22.
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comprises a broad spectrum of diseases, which can progress from benign steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease in developed countries, affecting approximately 25% of the general population. Insulin resistance, adipose tissue dysfunction, mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress, chronic inflammation, genetic and epigenetic factors are NAFLD triggers that control the disease susceptibility and progression.
In recent years a large number of investigations have been carried out to elucidate genetic and epigenetic factors in the disease pathogenesis, as well as the search for diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. This paper objective is to report the most studied genetic and epigenetic variants around NAFLD.
NAFLD lead to various comorbidities, which have a considerable impact on the patient wellness and life quality, as well as on the costs they generate for the country's health services. It is essential to continue with molecular research, since it could be used as a clinical tool for prognosis and disease severity. Specifically, in the field of hepatology, plasma miRNAs could provide a novel tool in liver diseases diagnosis and monitoring, representing an alternative to invasive diagnostic procedures.
非酒精性脂肪性肝病（NAFLD）包含一系列广泛的疾病，可从轻度脂肪变性进展为非酒精性脂肪性肝炎、肝纤维化和肝细胞癌。NAFLD 是发达国家最常见的慢性肝脏疾病，影响约 25%的普通人群。胰岛素抵抗、脂肪组织功能障碍、线粒体和内质网应激、慢性炎症、遗传和表观遗传因素是控制疾病易感性和进展的 NAFLD 诱因。
近年来，大量研究旨在阐明疾病发病机制中的遗传和表观遗传因素，以及寻找诊断标志物和治疗靶点。本文旨在报告 NAFLD 相关的最受研究的遗传和表观遗传变异。
NAFLD 导致多种合并症，对患者的健康和生活质量以及国家卫生服务系统产生的费用有重大影响。继续进行分子研究至关重要，因为它可以用作预后和疾病严重程度的临床工具。具体而言，在肝脏病学领域，血浆 microRNA 可为肝脏疾病诊断和监测提供新的工具，代表着对侵入性诊断程序的替代。
