Genetics and epigenetics purpose in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

ABSTRACT

Introduction

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.

Areas covered

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.

Expert opinion

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.

KEYWORDS:

• SNP
• polymorphism
• DNA methylation
• histones
• miRNA
• lncRNA
• circRNA

Article highlights

• Due to the increase in obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a major public health problem worldwide.

• NAFLD, and to a greater extent NASH, are associated with liver-related morbidity, and it has been associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death.

• Different studies report an association of NAFLD with single nucleotide polymorphisms in different populations, which can have multiple effects on the disease development and progression.

• Epigenetic mechanisms are modifiers of NAFLD development and progression; unlike genetic mechanisms, these can be adjusted by the patient lifestyle.

• New non-invasive diagnostic tools have been developed to detect steatosis and liver fibrosis. Currently, miRNAs are a promising target to help differentiate between NAFLD and its progressive form NASH.

Acknowledgments

We appreciate the support of Medica Sur Clinic & Foundation so that this article could be made.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose