Strategies, models and biomarkers in experimental non-alcoholic fatty liver disease research

Publication date: Available online 11 June 2015 Source:Progress in Lipid Research Author(s): Tigyi Joost Willebrords , Isabel Veloso Alves Pereira , Michaël Maes , Sara Crespo Yanguas , Isabelle Colle , Bert Van Den Bossche , Tereza Cristina Da silva , Cláudia Oliveira , Wellington Andraus , Mathieu Vinken Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease encompasses a spectrum of liver diseases, including simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is currently the most dominant chronic liver disease in Western countries due to the fact that hepatic steatosis is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome and drug-induced injury. A variety of chemicals, mainly drugs, and diets is known to cause hepatic steatosis in humans and rodents. Experimental non-alcoholic fatty liver disease models rely on the application of a diet or the administration of drugs to laboratory animals or the exposure of hepatic cell lines to these drugs. More recently, genetically modified rodents or zebrafish have been introduced as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease models. Considerable interest now lies in the discovery and development of novel non-invasive biomarkers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with specific focus on hepatic steatosis. Experimental diagnostic biomarkers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, such as (epi)genetic parameters and ‘-omics’-based r...
Source: Progress in Lipid Research - Category: Lipidology Source Type: research