Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Nutritional Implications: Special Focus on Copper

There is increasing evidence that menopause is associated with the progression and severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Estrogen deficiency worsens non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice models with fatty liver. The prevalence of NAFLD seems to be higher in postmenopausal compared with premenopausal women. Although more data are needed, lower serum estradiol levels are associated with NASH in postmenopausal women. Apart from estrogen deficiency, relative androgen excess and decrease in sex hormone-binding protein are observed in postmenopausal women. These hormonal changes seem to interplay with an increase in abdominal adipose mass, also observed in postmenopausal women, and aging, which are both closely related to the severity and progressive forms of NAFLD. NAFLD adds extra morbidity to postmenopausal women, possibly increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Improving parameters of the metabolic syndrome via modifications in diet and physical exercise may reduce the risk of NAFLD and its related morbidity. Limited studies have shown a beneficial effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on NAFLD, although adverse hepatic effects have been attributed to progesterone in one study. Phytoestrogens may be alternatives to HRT, but their long-term efficacy and safety remain to be shown. The aim of this review was to summarize evidence linking menopause with NAFLD with a special focus on potential therapeutic perspectives.

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Vanillic Acid and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Focus on AMPK in Adipose and Liver Tissues

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612827666210701145438 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 27 ◽

Author(s):

Sepideh Shekari ◽

Fatemeh Khonsha ◽

Mohammad Rahmati-Yamchi ◽

Hamid Reza Nejabati ◽

Ali Mota

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Vanillic Acid ◽

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Special Focus ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Mice Model ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a growing health issue around the world, is defined as the presence of steatosis in the liver without any other detectable byproducts such as alcohol consumption which includes a wide spectrum of pathologies, such as steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. A growing body of evidence indicates that the reduction in the 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, which could be activated by the consumption of the drugs, hormones, cytokines, and dietary restriction, is related to some metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, PCOS, and NAFLD. Vanillic acid (VA), as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic factor, has protective effects on the liver as in two animal models of liver damage. It reduces serum levels of transaminases, inflammatory cytokines, and the accumulation of collagen in the liver and prevents liver fibrosis. Besides, it decreases body and adipose tissue weight in a mice model of obesity and, similar to the liver tissue, diminishes adipogenesis through the activation of AMPK. It has been reported that VA can target almost all of the metabolic abnormalities of NAFLD, such as hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and hepatic injury, at least partially through the activation of AMPK. Therefore, in this review, we will discuss the possible and hypothetical roles of VA in NAFLD, with a special focus on AMPK.

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High Protein Diet and Metabolic Plasticity in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Myths and Truths

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11122985 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 2985 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Francesco De Chiara ◽

Cynthia Ureta Checcllo ◽

Javier Ramón Azcón

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

High Protein ◽

Food Type ◽

Special Focus ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Metabolic Plasticity ◽

The Impact ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by lipid accumulation within the liver affecting 1 in 4 people worldwide. As the new silent killer of the twenty-first century, NAFLD impacts on both the request and the availability of new liver donors. The liver is the first line of defense against endogenous and exogenous metabolites and toxins. It also retains the ability to switch between different metabolic pathways according to food type and availability. This ability becomes a disadvantage in obesogenic societies where most people choose a diet based on fats and carbohydrates while ignoring vitamins and fiber. The chronic exposure to fats and carbohydrates induces dramatic changes in the liver zonation and triggers the development of insulin resistance. Common believes on NAFLD and different diets are based either on epidemiological studies, or meta-analysis, which are not controlled evidences; in most of the cases, they are biased on test-subject type and their lifestyles. The highest success in reverting NAFLD can be attributed to diets based on high protein instead of carbohydrates. In this review, we discuss the impact of NAFLD on body metabolic plasticity. We also present a detailed analysis of the most recent studies that evaluate high-protein diets in NAFLD with a special focus on the liver and the skeletal muscle protein metabolisms.

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Vitamin D levels are not associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity in a Brazilian population

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000667 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Jeniffer Danielle M. Dutra ◽

Quelson Coelho Lisboa ◽

Silvia Marinho Ferolla ◽

Carolina Martinelli M. L. Carvalho ◽

Camila Costa M. Mendes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Hypovitaminosis D ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Vitamin D Levels ◽

The Mean ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract. Some epidemiological evidence suggests an inverse correlation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) frequency and vitamin D levels. Likewise, a beneficial effect of vitamin D on diabetes mellitus (DM) and insulin resistance has been observed, but this is an unsolved issue. Thus, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in a NAFLD Brazilian population and its association with disease severity and presence of comorbidities. In a cross-sectional study, the clinical, biochemical and histological parameters of 139 NAFLD patients were evaluated according to two different cut-off points of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (20 ng/mL and 30 ng/mL). The mean age of the population was 56 ± 16 years, most patients were female (83%), 72% had hypertension, 88% dyslipidemia, 46% DM, 98% central obesity, and 82% metabolic syndrome. Serum vitamin D levels were < 30 ng/mL in 78% of the patients, and < 20 ng/mL in 35%. The mean vitamin D level was 24.3 ± 6.8 ng/mL. The comparison between the clinical, biochemical and histological characteristics of the patients according to the levels of vitamin D showed no significant difference. Most patients with NAFLD had hypovitaminosis D, but low vitamin D levels were not related to disease severity and the presence of comorbidities.

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Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Overweight Children and its Relationship with Retinol Serum Levels

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831.78.1.27 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 78 (1) ◽

pp. 27-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Suano de Souza ◽

Silverio Amancio ◽

Saccardo Sarni ◽

Sacchi Pitta ◽

Fernandes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Lipid Profile ◽

Fatty Liver Disease ◽

Thiobarbituric Acid ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Control Group ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the retinol serum levels, lipid profile, and insulin resistance in overweight/obese children. To relate these biochemical variables with the risk of this disease in the population studied. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and prospective, with 46 overweight/obese school children (28 female, 18 male; mean age 8.6 years). The control group consisted of 45 children, paired by age and gender. Hepatic steatosis, evaluated by ultrasound, was classified as normal, mild, moderate, or severe. Also evaluated were serum retinol levels; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; lipid profile; and fasting glucose and serum insulin levels, used for the calculation of the Homeostasis Model Assessment. Results: Hepatic ultrasound alterations were found in 56.5% and 48,9% of the overweight/obese and control group children, respectively. Presence of obesity was associated with high levels of triglycerides (OR = 4.6; P = 0.002). In the studied children, the risk of steatosis was related to a trend to a higher percentage of retinol inadequacy (OR = 2.8; p = 0.051); there was no association with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid profile, or insulin resistance. Conclusions: The high frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in both groups, evaluated by hepatic ultrasound, in low-socioeconomic level children, independent of nutritional condition and without significant association with insulin resistance, emphasizes that especially in developing countries, other risk factors such as micronutrient deficiencies (e.g. vitamin A) are involved.

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