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Abstract Details
Genetic and epigenetic factors determining NAFLD risk
Mol Metab. 2020 Nov 4;101111. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2020.101111. Online ahead of print.
Wenke Jonas1, Annette Schürmann2
Author information
1Department of Experimental Diabetology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, D-14558, Nuthetal, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, D-85764, München-Neuherberg, Germany.
2Department of Experimental Diabetology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, D-14558, Nuthetal, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, D-85764, München-Neuherberg, Germany; University of Potsdam, Institute of Nutritional Sciences, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, D-14558, Nuthetal, Germany; Faculty of Health Sciences, joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus-Senftenberg, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany. Electronic address: schuermann@dife.de.
Abstract
Hepatic steatosis is a common chronic liver disease that can progress into more severe stages of NAFLD or promote the development of life-threatening secondary diseases for a part of the affected people. These include the liver itself (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH; fibrosis and cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma) or other organs such as the vessels and the heart (cardiovascular disease) or the islets of Langerhans (type 2 diabetes). In addition to elevated caloric intake and a sedentary lifestyle, genetic and epigenetic predisposition contribute to the development of NAFLD and the secondary diseases. In our review we will present polymorphisms identified in genes relevant for the disease as well as changes caused by altered DNA methylation and gene regulation via specific miRNAs. We will also report on the current status of the use of genetic and epigenetic factors as risk markers.