An overview of the genetics, mechanisms and management of NAFLD and ALD

Rachel J Rowell; Quentin M Anstee

doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.15-6-s77

An overview of the genetics, mechanisms and management of NAFLD and ALD

Clin Med (Lond). 2015 Dec:15 Suppl 6:s77-82. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.15-6-s77.

Authors

Rachel J Rowell¹, Quentin M Anstee²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Cellular Medicine, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
² Institute of Cellular Medicine, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK quentin.anstee@newcastle.ac.uk.

PMID: 26634687
DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.15-6-s77

Abstract

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and, increasingly, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are common causes of advanced liver disease in many developed countries including the UK. Both diseases share parallel natural histories, progressing from steatosis, to steatohepatitis and fibrosis/cirrhosis; and are characterised by substantial interindividual variation in disease outcome. This article will provide an overview of disease mechanisms, genetic modifiers and management, focusing principally on NAFLD, while drawing parallels between the two conditions where appropriate.

Keywords: NAFLD; alcohol; cirrhosis; fatty liver; gene.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Liver Diseases, Alcoholic* / genetics
Liver Diseases, Alcoholic* / physiopathology
Liver Diseases, Alcoholic* / therapy
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / genetics
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / physiopathology
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / therapy