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Mahmoudi SK, Tarzemani S, Aghajanzadeh T, Kasravi M, Hatami B, Zali MR, Baghaei K. Exploring the role of genetic variations in NAFLD: implications for disease pathogenesis and precision medicine approaches. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:190. [PMID: 38504356 PMCID: PMC10953212 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01708-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver diseases, affecting more than one-quarter of people worldwide. Hepatic steatosis can progress to more severe forms of NAFLD, including NASH and cirrhosis. It also may develop secondary diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Genetic and environmental factors regulate NAFLD incidence and progression, making it a complex disease. The contribution of various environmental risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, diet, and sedentary lifestyle, to the exacerbation of liver injury is highly understood. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of genetic variations in the NAFLD occurrence or its deterioration still need to be clarified. Hence, understanding the genetic susceptibility to NAFLD is essential for controlling the course of the disease. The current review discusses genetics' role in the pathological pathways of NAFLD, including lipid and glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, cellular stresses, and immune responses. Additionally, it explains the role of the genetic components in the induction and progression of NAFLD in lean individuals. Finally, it highlights the utility of genetic knowledge in precision medicine for the early diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyedeh Kosar Mahmoudi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985714711, Iran
| | - Shadi Tarzemani
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985714711, Iran
| | - Taha Aghajanzadeh
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985714711, Iran.
| | - Mohammadreza Kasravi
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985714711, Iran
| | - Behzad Hatami
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985714711, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985714711, Iran
| | - Kaveh Baghaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985714711, Iran.
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1985714711, Iran.
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Shao J, Lai C, Zheng Q, Luo Y, Li C, Zhang B, Sun Y, Liu S, Shi Y, Li J, Zhao Z, Guo L. Effects of dietary arsenic exposure on liver metabolism in mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 274:116147. [PMID: 38460405 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Arsenic, a ubiquitous environmental toxicant with various forms and complex food matrix interactions, can reportedly exert differential effects on the liver compared to drinking water exposure. To examine its specific liver-related harms, we targeted the liver in C57BL/6 J mice (n=48, 8-week-old) fed with arsenic-contaminated food (30 mg/kg) for 60 days, mimicking the rice arsenic composition observed in real-world scenarios (iAsV: 7.3%, iAsIII: 72.7%, MMA: 1.0%, DMA: 19.0%). We then comprehensively evaluated liver histopathology, metabolic changes, and the potential role of the gut-liver axis using human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and microbiota/metabolite analyses. Rice arsenic exposure significantly altered hepatic lipid (fatty acids, glycerol lipids, phospholipids, sphingolipids) and metabolite (glutathione, thioneine, spermidine, inosine, indole-derivatives, etc.) profiles, disrupting 33 metabolic pathways (bile secretion, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, ferroptosis, etc.). Pathological examination revealed liver cell necrosis/apoptosis, further confirmed by ferroptosis induction in HepG2 cells. Gut microbiome analysis showed enrichment of pathogenic bacteria linked to liver diseases and depletion of beneficial strains. Fecal primary and secondary bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, and branched-chain amino acids were also elevated. Importantly, mediation analysis revealed significant correlations between gut microbiota, fecal metabolites, and liver metabolic alterations, suggesting fecal metabolites may mediate the impact of gut microbiota and liver metabolic disorders. Gut microbiota and its metabolites may play significant roles in arsenic-induced gut-liver injuries. Overall, our findings demonstrate that rice arsenic exposure triggers oxidative stress, disrupts liver metabolism, and induces ferroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junli Shao
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Chengze Lai
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Qiuyi Zheng
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Yu Luo
- Guangzhou Liwan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510176, China
| | - Chengji Li
- Yunfu Disease Control and Prevention Center, Guangdong Province 527300, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Yanqin Sun
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Shizhen Liu
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Yingying Shi
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Jinglin Li
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Zuguo Zhao
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China.
| | - Lianxian Guo
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Public Health Laboratory Science, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China.
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Yuan X, Tan Y, Bajinka O, Jammeh ML, Dukureh A, Obiegbusi CN, Abdelhalim KA, Mohanad M. The connection between epigenetics and gut microbiota-current perspective. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e3941. [PMID: 38379252 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Both the epigenetic changes and gut microbiota (GM) have attracted a growing interest in establishing effective diagnostics and potential therapeutic strategies for a number of diseases. These disorders include metabolic, central nervous system-related diseases, autoimmune, and gastrointestinal infections (GI). Despite the number of studies, there is no extensive review that connects the epigenetics modifications and GM as biomarkers that could confer effective diagnostics and confer treatment options. To this end, this review hopes to give detailed information on connecting the modifications in epigenetic and GM. An updated and detailed information on the connection between the epigenetics factors and GM that influence diseases are given. In addition, the review showed some associations between the epigenetics to the maternal GM and offspring health. Finally, the limitations of the concept and prospects into this new emerging discipline were also looked into. Although this review elucidated on the maternal diet and response to offspring health with respect to GM and epigenetic modifications, there still exist various limitations to this newly emerging discipline. In addition to integrating complementary multi-omics data, longitudinal sampling will aid with the identification of functional mechanisms that may serve as therapeutic targets. To this end, this review gave a detailed perspective into harnessing disease diagnostics, prevention and treatment options through epigenetics and GM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxing Yuan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heilongjiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
- Department of First Clinical Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Yurong Tan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Central South University Changsha, Changsha, China
- Department of Medical Science, School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of The Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Ousman Bajinka
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Central South University Changsha, Changsha, China
- Department of Medical Science, School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of The Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Modou L Jammeh
- Department of Medical Science, School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of The Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Abubakarr Dukureh
- Department of Medical Science, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chidera N Obiegbusi
- Department of Medical Science, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Khalid A Abdelhalim
- Industrial Research and Development, Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkiye
| | - Mahmoud Mohanad
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Central South University Changsha, Changsha, China
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CHEN Q, YOU L, GUAN P, FANG C, QIN W, LIU X, XU G. [Risk analysis of serum chemical residues for metabolic associated fatty liver disease based on exposome-lipidome wide association study]. Se Pu 2024; 42:164-175. [PMID: 38374597 PMCID: PMC10877480 DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1123.2023.12014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common liver disease with a prevalence of up to 25%; it not only adversely affects human health but also aggravates the economic burden of society. An increasing number of studies have suggested that the occurrence of chronic noncommunicable diseases is affected by both environmental exposures and genetic factors. Research has also shown that environmental pollution may increase the risk of MAFLD and promote its occurrence and development. However, the relationship between these concepts, as well as the underlying exposure effects and mechanism, remains incompletely understood. Lipidomics, a branch of metabolomics that studies lipid disorders, can help researchers investigate abnormal lipid metabolites in various disease states. Lipidome-exposome wide association studies are a promising paradigm for investigating the health effects of cumulative environmental exposures on biological responses, and could provide new ideas for determining the associations between metabolic and lipid changes and disease risk caused by chemical-pollutant exposure. Hence, in this study, targeted exposomics and nontargeted lipidomics studies based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) were used to characterize exogenous chemical pollutants and endogenous lipid metabolites in the sera of patients with MAFLD and healthy subjects. The results demonstrated that fipronil sulfone, malathion dicarboxylic acid, and monocyclohexyl phthalate may be positively associated with the disease risk of patients diagnosed as simple fatty liver disease (hereafter referred to as MAFLD(0)). Moreover, fipronil sulfone, acesulfame potassium, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), 4-hydroxybenzophenone, and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid (DBPOB) may be positively associated with the disease risk of patients diagnosed as fatty liver complicated by single or multiple metabolic disorders. Association analysis was carried out to explore the lipid metabolites induced by chemical residues. Triglyceride (TG) and diglyceride (DG) were significantly increased in MAFLD and MAFLD(0). The numbers of carbons of significantly changed DGs and TGs were mainly in the ranges of 32-40 and 35-60, respectively, and both were mainly characterized by changes in polyunsaturated lipids. Most of the lipid-effect markers were positively correlated with chemical residues and associated with increased disease risk. Our research provides a scientific basis for studies on the association and mechanism between serum chemical-pollutant residues and disease outcomes.
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Xu C, Fu F, She Y, Xu C. NPC1L1 Plays a Novel Role in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:48586-48589. [PMID: 38162748 PMCID: PMC10753569 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) is a key protein in the transport of cholesterol, which exists in the brush marginal membrane of the intestinal epithelial cells and the timid duct membrane of the liver. It affects cholesterol absorption and plasma low-density lipoprotein levels. Cholesterol is both an important component of the cell membrane and a precursor of bile acid and steroid hormone synthesis. Abnormal cholesterol metabolism is closely related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH can progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis, with serious consequences. NPC1L1 is involved in the regulation of cholesterol and lipid metabolism and plays an important role in maintaining the balance of cholesterol metabolism in the body. It also plays an important role in some metabolic diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the molecular pathological mechanism of NPC1L1 in the regulation of cholesterol metabolism and the occurrence and development of NASH, which can provide a target for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of NASH and other diseases. More importantly, it helps to accelerate the development of drugs that regulate lipid metabolism at multiple levels and reduce liver steatosis, which is extremely important for the prevention and treatment of NASH and related severe metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- ChongLi Xu
- College
of Medical Technology, Chongqing Medical
and Pharmaceutical College, 82 Daxuecheng Road, Chongqing 401331, PR China
| | - Fengyang Fu
- College
of Medical Technology, Chongqing Medical
and Pharmaceutical College, 82 Daxuecheng Road, Chongqing 401331, PR China
| | - Yuhan She
- College
of Medical Technology, Chongqing Medical
and Pharmaceutical College, 82 Daxuecheng Road, Chongqing 401331, PR China
| | - ChongBo Xu
- School
of Biology and Agriculture, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, PR China
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Bloyd M, Sinaii N, Faucz FR, Iben J, Coon SL, Caprio S, Santoro N, Stratakis CA, London E. High-frequency variants in PKA signaling-related genes within a large pediatric cohort with obesity or metabolic abnormalities. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1272939. [PMID: 38027204 PMCID: PMC10679389 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1272939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pediatric obesity has steadily increased in recent decades. Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted primarily in Eurocentric adult populations have identified approximately 100 loci that predispose to obesity and type II diabetes. GWAS in children and individuals of non-European descent, both disproportionately affected by obesity, are fewer. Rare syndromic and monogenic obesities account for only a small portion of childhood obesity, so understanding the role of other genetic variants and their combinations in heritable obesities is key to developing targeted and personalized therapies. Tight and responsive regulation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) signaling pathway is crucial to maintaining healthy energy metabolism, and mutations in PKA-linked genes represent the most common cause of monogenic obesity. Methods For this study, we performed targeted exome sequencing of 53 PKA signaling-related genes to identify variants in genomic DNA from a large, ethnically diverse cohort of obese or metabolically challenged youth. Results We confirmed 49 high-frequency variants, including a novel variant in the PDE11A gene (c.152C>T). Several other variants were associated with metabolic characteristics within ethnic groups. Discussion We conclude that a PKA pathway-specific variant search led to the identification of several new genetic associations with obesity in an ethnically diverse population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Bloyd
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Program on Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ninet Sinaii
- Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology Service, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Fabio Rueda Faucz
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Program on Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - James Iben
- Molecular Genomics Core, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Steven L. Coon
- Molecular Genomics Core, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sonia Caprio
- Section on Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Nicola Santoro
- Section on Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, “V. Tiberio” University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Constantine A. Stratakis
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Program on Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD, United States
- Human Genetics and Precision Medicine, Institute for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, ELPEN Research Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - Edra London
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Program on Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), Bethesda, MD, United States
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Stender S, Davey Smith G, Richardson TG. Genetic variation and elevated liver enzymes during childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. Int J Epidemiol 2023; 52:1341-1349. [PMID: 37105232 PMCID: PMC10555681 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyad048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic factors influence the risk of fatty liver disease (FLD) in adults. The aim of this study was to test if, and when, genetic risk factors known to affect FLD in adults begin to exert their deleterious effects during childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. METHODS We included up to 4018 British children and adolescents from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort. Three genetic variants known to associate robustly with FLD in adults (PNPLA3 rs738409, TM6SF2 rs58542926 and HSD17B13 rs72613567) were tested for association with plasma levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) during childhood (mean age: 9.9 years), early adolescence (15.5 years), late adolescence (17.8 years), and early adulthood (24.5 years). We also tested the associations of a 17-variant score and whole-genome polygenic risk scores (PRS) derived from associations in adults with plasma ALT and AST at the same four time points. Associations with elastography-derived liver steatosis and fibrosis were tested in early adulthood. RESULTS Genetic risk factors for FLD (individually, combined into a 3-variant score, a 17-variant score and as a genome-wide PRS), were associated with higher liver enzymes, beginning in childhood and throughout adolescence and early adulthood. The ALT-increasing effects of the genetic risk variants became larger with increasing age. The ALT-PRS was associated with liver steatosis in early adulthood. No genetic associations with fibrosis were observed. CONCLUSIONS Genetic factors that promote FLD in adults associate with elevated liver enzymes already during childhood, and their effects get amplified with increasing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Stender
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tom G Richardson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Bartiromo M, Nardolillo M, Ferrara S, Russo G, Miraglia Del Giudice E, Di Sessa A. The challenging role of micro-RNAs in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children with obesity: is it time for a new era? Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:817-824. [PMID: 37497846 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2023.2242245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As the pediatric obesity epidemic, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease in childhood. Pediatric NAFLD pathophysiology is tangled and still unclear, but insulin resistance (IR), genetics, epigenetics, oxidative stress, and inflammation act as key players. Due to the increased cardiometabolic risk of these patients, several biomarkers have been proposed for early NAFLD identification, but their clinical utility is poor. Recently, hepatic dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been linked to metabolic dysfunction, which in turn implied in NAFLD development. Evidence on the intriguing role of miRNAs in NAFLD pathogenesis has emerging especially in at-risk children such as those with obesity. However, pediatric evidence supporting their potential use as early noninvasive NAFLD tools is still limited but promising. AREAS COVERED We provided an overview on the emerging role of miRNAs in pediatric NAFLD by addressing some issues regarding their pathophysiological link with the metabolic milieu and their role as reliable NAFLD markers in children with obesity. EXPERT OPINION Strong evidence supports a potential role of miRNAs as early biomarkers of NAFLD in children with obesity. They might represent a valid diagnostic and targeted therapeutic tool due to its close pathogenic link with the metabolic milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Bartiromo
- Department of Woman, Child, and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Nardolillo
- Department of Woman, Child, and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Ferrara
- Department of Woman, Child, and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Russo
- Department of Woman, Child, and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Miraglia Del Giudice
- Department of Woman, Child, and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Di Sessa
- Department of Woman, Child, and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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