Interaction between sarcopenia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Author: Sae Kyung JOO ¹ ; Won KIM
Author Information

1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
Publication Type:Review
From:Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2023;29(Suppl):S68-S78
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: Sarcopenia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are common health problems related to aging. Despite the differences in their diagnostic methods, several cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have revealed the close link between sarcopenia and NAFLD. Sarcopenia and NAFLD are linked by several shared pathogenetic mechanisms, including insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance, systemic inflammation, myostatin and adiponectin dysregulation, nutritional deficiencies, and physical inactivity, thus implicating a bidirectional relationship between sarcopenia and NAFLD. However, there is not sufficient data to support a direct causal relationship between sarcopenia and NAFLD. Moreover, it is currently difficult to conclude whether sarcopenia is a risk factor for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or is a consequence of NASH. Therefore, this review intends to touch on the shared common mechanisms and the bidirectional relationship between sarcopenia and NAFLD.