Research Article Details
Article ID: | A21675 |
PMID: | 25128743 |
Source: | Biochim Biophys Acta |
Title: | Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A main driver of insulin resistance or a dangerous liaison? |
Abstract: | Insulin resistance is one of the key components of the metabolic syndrome and it eventually leads to the development of type 2 diabetes, making it one of the biggest medical problems of modern society. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are tightly associated with insulin resistance. While it is fairly clear that insulin resistance causes hepatic steatosis, it is not known if NAFLD causes insulin resistance. Hepatic inflammation and lipid accumulation are believed to be the main drivers of hepatic insulin resistance in NAFLD. Here we give an overview of the evidence linking hepatic lipid accumulation to the development of insulin resistance, including the accumulation of triacylglycerol and lipid metabolites, such as diacylglycerol and ceramides. In particular, we discuss the role of obesity in this relation by reviewing the current evidence in terms of the reported changes in body weight and/or adipose tissue mass. We further discuss whether the activation or inhibition of inflammatory pathways, Kupffer cells and other immune cells influences the development of insulin resistance. We show that, in contrast to what is commonly believed, neither hepatic steatosis nor hepatic inflammation is sufficient to cause insulin resistance. Many studies show that obesity cannot be ignored as an underlying factor in this relationship and NAFLD is therefore less likely to be one of the main drivers of insulin resistance. |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.08.004 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |