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Yang K, Song M. New Insights into the Pathogenesis of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD): Gut-Liver-Heart Crosstalk. Nutrients 2023; 15:3970. [PMID: 37764755 PMCID: PMC10534946 DOI: 10.3390/nu15183970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a multifaceted disease that involves complex interactions between various organs, including the gut and heart. It is defined by hepatic lipid accumulation and is related to metabolic dysfunction, obesity, and diabetes. Understanding the intricate interplay of the gut-liver-heart crosstalk is crucial for unraveling the complexities of MAFLD and developing effective treatment and prevention strategies. The gut-liver crosstalk participates in the regulation of the metabolic and inflammatory processes through host-microbiome interactions. Gut microbiota have been associated with the development and progression of MAFLD, and its dysbiosis contributes to insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Metabolites derived from the gut microbiota enter the systemic circulation and influence both the liver and heart, resulting in the gut-liver-heart axis playing an important role in MAFLD. Furthermore, growing evidence suggests that insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, and systemic inflammation in MAFLD may contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Additionally, the dysregulation of lipid metabolism in MAFLD may also lead to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Overall, the crosstalk between the liver and heart involves a complex interplay of molecular pathways that contribute to the development of CVD in patients with MAFLD. This review emphasizes the current understanding of the gut-liver-heart crosstalk as a foundation for optimizing patient outcomes with MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Myeongjun Song
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea;
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Khalili P, Ayoobi F, Kahkesh Pour F, Esmaeili-Nadimi A, Abassifard M, La Vecchia C, Jamali Z. Serum liver enzymes and metabolic syndrome from the Rafsanjan Cohort Study. J Investig Med 2023; 71:140-148. [PMID: 36647299 DOI: 10.1177/10815589221141830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Our investigation aimed at evaluating the relationship between metabolic syndrome, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the Rafsanjan cohort study (RCS). We used data obtained from the RCS, as a part of the prospective epidemiological research studies in Iran. In this cross-sectional research, 9895 participants from the baseline phase of RCS who completed medical questionnaire were included. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) defined using NCEP-ATP III criteria. The relationship between elevated serum liver enzymes levels even within the normal range and metabolic syndrome was evaluated by logistic regressions. The prevalence of MetS was 34.42% in the participants of study. The mean concentrations of AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT increased with increasing MetS components. After adjusting for all potential confounders, elevated serum concentrations of ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP even within the normal range were related with an increased odds of MetS. MetS was associated with increased levels of liver enzymes even within the normal range. These results indicated the potential for elevated liver enzymes as biomarkers for the possible presence of MetS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvin Khalili
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ayoobi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Firoozeh Kahkesh Pour
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Ali Esmaeili-Nadimi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Mitra Abassifard
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.,Department of Internal Medicine, Ali ibn Abi Talib Hospital, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Carlo La Vecchia
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Study di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Zahra Jamali
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
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Zhang X, Song W, Zhang M, Song Y, Di Y, Chen B, Tian H, Yuan X, Jin S. Identification of differentially expressed miRNAs and key genes involved in the progression of alcoholic fatty liver disease using rat models. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2022; 46:102012. [PMID: 36030034 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2022.102012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is a liver disease caused by prolonged heavy drinking and has a poor prognosis in the clinic. This study aimed to explore the differential miRNAs expression profiles in the AFLD rat model. METHODS The rat model of AFLD was established by ethanol intragastric administration and was used to explore the differential miRNAs expression profiles. We further analyzed the potential target mRNAs using the bioinformatics technique. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were carried out to better understand the biological function of differential expression genes (DEGs). We used the human Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE28619 to further screen the key differentially expressed genes. The integration between the differentially expressed genes from the AFLD model and GEO was conducted and the key genes were identified. RESULTS The serum ALT, AST, TG, and TC levels in the AFLD model group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group. There are 45 miRNAs with significant changes including 26 upregulated and 19 down-regulated miRNAs. GO and KEGG enrichment showed various metabolic processes and signaling pathways were enriched in the progression of AFLD. After integrating the results of GSE28619 and DEGs, we observed that there are 12 genes with significant changes in two data sets, including PSAT1, TKFC, PTTG1, LCN2, CXCL1, NR4A1, RGS1, VCAN, FOS, CXCL10, ATF3, and CYP1A1. CONCLUSION AFLD showed differentially expressed miRNAs, which may be involved in the occurrence and progression of AFLD. Meanwhile, some signal metabolic pathways may be related to the pathogenesis of AFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang 154002, China; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Wenqi Song
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154000, China
| | - Mingxuan Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154000, China
| | - Yuanhang Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang 154002, China
| | - Yuzhu Di
- Department of Gastroenterology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Medical Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, 154002, China
| | - Hao Tian
- Department of General surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, 154002 China
| | - Xixian Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang 154002, China
| | - Shizhu Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, China.
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Bellini MI, Urciuoli I, Del Gaudio G, Polti G, Iannetti G, Gangitano E, Lori E, Lubrano C, Cantisani V, Sorrenti S, D’Andrea V. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes. World J Diabetes 2022; 13:668-682. [PMID: 36188142 PMCID: PMC9521438 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v13.i9.668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease in the world and represents a clinical-histopathologic entity where the steatosis component may vary in degree and may or may not have fibrotic progression. The key concept of NAFLD pathogenesis is excessive triglyceride hepatic accumulation because of an imbalance between free fatty acid influx and efflux. Strong epidemiological, biochemical, and therapeutic evidence supports the premise that the primary pathophysiological derangement in most patients with NAFLD is insulin resistance; thus the association between diabetes and NAFLD is widely recognized in the literature. Since NAFLD is the hepatic manifestation of a metabolic disease, it is also associated with a higher cardio-vascular risk. Conventional B-mode ultrasound is widely adopted as a first-line imaging modality for hepatic steatosis, although magnetic resonance imaging represents the gold standard noninvasive modality for quantifying the amount of fat in these patients. Treatment of NAFLD patients depends on the disease severity, ranging from a more benign condition of nonalcoholic fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Abstinence from alcohol, a Mediterranean diet, and modification of risk factors are recommended for patients suffering from NAFLD to avoid major cardiovascular events, as per all diabetic patients. In addition, weight loss induced by bariatric surgery seems to also be effective in improving liver features, together with the benefits for diabetes control or resolution, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Finally, liver transplantation represents the ultimate treatment for severe nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and is growing rapidly as a main indication in Western countries. This review offers a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to NAFLD, highlighting its connection with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Irene Bellini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Irene Urciuoli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Giovanni Del Gaudio
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Giorgia Polti
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Giovanni Iannetti
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Elena Gangitano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Physiopathology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Eleonora Lori
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Carla Lubrano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Medical Physiopathology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Vito Cantisani
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Salvatore Sorrenti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Vito D’Andrea
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161, Italy
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Prothrombotic and Inflammatory Markers in Elderly Patients with Non-Alcoholic Hepatic Liver Disease before and after Weight Loss: A Pilot Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214906. [PMID: 34768440 PMCID: PMC8585002 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a pathological condition, ranging from fatty liver to chronic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver cirrhosis, and eventually to hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent findings suggest that patients with NAFLD have an increased risk of cardiovascular events and thromboembolism, which is independent of metabolic diseases that are frequently associated with NAFLD, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. Methods: We evaluated 30 NAFLD patients, before and after weight loss. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor (VWF), homocysteine, coagulation protein S, Thrombin activable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), and factor VII (FVII) were assessed to evaluate whether they should be responsible of the prothrombotic state of NAFLD after weight loss. Results: At baseline, patients affected by NAFLD had a significantly higher levels of CRP, fibrinogen, PAI-1, VWF antigen, and FVII levels. After weight reduction, we observed a significant drop of inflammatory and prothrombotic markers, as well as glucometabolic, lipid profile. Conclusion: These findings provide evidence for a link between NAFLD/NASH and thromboembolism. The association seems to be linked with primitive thrombotic state and hypercoagulation due to increased levels of coagulation factors and reduced levels of PAI-1. This hypercoagulation state might explain increased levels of thrombosis and splanchnic thrombosis observed in NASH correlated cirrhosis.
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