Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and bilirubin: correlation, mechanism, and therapeutic perspectives.
10.3760/cma.j.cn501113-20210703-00313
- Author:
Nian Chen LIU
1
;
Zhong Ping DUAN
2
;
Su Jun ZHENG
1
Author Information
1. The First Department of Liver Center, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
2. The Fourth Department of Liver Center, Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Liver Failure and Artificial Liver Treatment Research, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Bilirubin;
Correlation;
Mechanism;
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease;
Therapeutics
- MeSH:
Humans;
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism*;
Bilirubin;
Antioxidants;
Obesity/complications*;
Hepatocytes/metabolism*;
Liver/metabolism*
- From:
Chinese Journal of Hepatology
2023;31(1):101-104
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic-related disorder induced by multiple factors and mainly characterized by excessive fat buildup in hepatocytes. With the consumption of a Western-style diet and obesity prevalence in recent years, the incidence of NAFLD has gradually increased, becoming an increasingly serious public health problem. Bilirubin is a heme metabolite and a potent antioxidant. Studies have demonstrated that bilirubin levels have an inverse correlation with the incidence rate of NAFLD; however, which form of bilirubin plays the main protective role is still controversial. It is considered that the main protective mechanisms for NAFLD are bilirubin antioxidant properties, insulin resistance reduction, and mitochondrial function. This article summarizes the correlation, protective mechanism, and possible clinical application of NAFLD and bilirubin.
