Research Article Details
Article ID: | A26137 |
PMID: | 21042023 |
Source: | Digestion |
Title: | Obesity affects the liver - the link between adipocytes and hepatocytes. |
Abstract: | The incidence of obesity has dramatically increased in recent years. Consequently, obesity and associated disorders such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) constitute a serious threat. Therefore, the contribution of visceral adipose tissue to metabolic homeostasis has become a focus of interest. Visceral adipose tissue secretes free fatty acids (FFAs) and hormones, known as adipokines, and thus seems to play a major role in the development of NAFLD. Apoptotic cell death is a prominent feature in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Indeed, toxic FFAs can activate the intrinsic apoptosis pathway in hepatocytes via c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). JNK activates the proapoptotic protein Bim, resulting in Bax activation and enhanced apoptosis, termed 'lipoapoptosis'. Reduced adiponectin levels may establish a proinflammatory milieu, thus increasing vulnerability to lipotoxicity, which promotes progression from simple steatosis to NASH and even advanced hepatic fibrosis. Moreover, obesity seems to be a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma, the most frequent liver cancer subtype. Even in acute liver failure, a high body mass index is associated with poor outcome, and recent data suggest a major role of obesity in the progression of chronic hepatitis C and B. This review summarizes current knowledge - highlighting the inflammatory and cytokine view - of the intimate relationship between adipose and liver tissue. |
DOI: | 10.1159/000318741 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S13 | Anti-apoptosis | hepatocyte apoptosis; hepatic autophagy; apoptosis | Pan-caspase inhibitor | Emricasan | Details |
S03 | Anti-fibrosis | fibrosis | Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB); CCR2/CCR5 antagonist; Thyroid receptor β agonist; PEGylated human FGF21 analogue; Monoclonal antibody to lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2); Galectin-3 inhibitor; FGF19 variant | Losartan; Cenicriviroc; VK-2809; MGL-3196; Pegbelfermin; Simtuzumab; GR-MD-02; NGM282 | 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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D080 | Citrulline | Chemical drug | DB00155 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D010 | Amoxicillin | Chemical drug | DB01060 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |