Steatosis is an early characteristic in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease (FLD). Mechanisms of hepatic steatosis are aetiology-dependent. Activation of autophagy in liver ameliorates hepatic steatosis. A modulation of hepatic autophagy affects the degree of hepatocyte steatosis and the progression of FLD as demonstrated by pre-clinical models and clinical trials. This review summarises recent advances on pathophysiological roles of autophagy in hepatic lipid metabolism. A comprehensive regulation of autophagic networks holds promise for the improvement of hepatic steatosis. Autophagic signalling pathway may be a novel therapeutic target against FLD.Highlights:
•Hepatic steatosis is a pathological condition wherein vacuoles of triglyceride (TG) fat are overaccumulated in liver because of abnormal metabolism of lipids.•Hepatic autophagy regulates lipid metabolism as demonstrated by macrolipophagy in response to starvation and hepatic overabundance of TG in obesity.•Autophagic signals are closely associated with apoptotic pathways. There is distinctive relationship between hepatic autophagy and apoptosis, which affects the progression of fatty liver.•Regulation of autophagic process can be a novel therapeutic strategy for fatty liver disease.
Deletion of Gab2 in mice protects against hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis: a novel therapeutic target for fatty liver disease