Clinical assessment of hepatic de novo lipogenesis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is heralded as the next big global epidemic. Hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL), the synthesis of new fatty acids from non-lipid sources, is thought to play a pivotal role in the development of NAFLD. While there is currently no NAFLD-specific therapeutic agent available, pharmaceutical drugs aimed at reducing hepatic fat accretion may prove to be a powerful ally in the treatment and management of this disease. With a focus on NAFLD, the present review summarizes current techniques examining DNL from a clinical perspective, and describes the merits and limitations of three commonly used assays; stable-label isotope tracer studies, fatty acid indexes and indirect calorimetry as non-invasive measures of hepatic DNL. Finally, the application of DNL assessments in the pharmacological and nutraceutical treatment of NAFLD/NASH is summarized. In a clinical research setting, measures of DNL are an important marker in the development of anti-NAFLD treatments.

• Authors: Sabina Paglialunga, Clayton A Dehn
• Journal: Lipids in health and disease (Lipids Health Dis) Vol. 15 Issue 1 Pg. 159 (Sep 17 2016) ISSN: 1476-511X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 27640119 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Fatty Acids

Topics

• Diet
• Fatty Acids (biosynthesis, metabolism)
• Humans
• Isotope Labeling
• Lipogenesis
• Liver (metabolism, pathology)
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (diagnosis, metabolism, physiopathology)