Diabetes and Liver Disorders

Abstract

In the last decade, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most common cause of the chronic liver disease in the developed countries. The prevalence of NAFLD is as high as 90% in obese individuals, and up to 70% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) develop NAFLD. NAFLD is characterized by a wide range of liver changes, from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complicated and involves lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, inflammation, and fibrogenesis. During the progression of NAFLD, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are activated and induce oxidative stress. Recent attempts at establishing effective NAFLD therapy have identified potential micronutrient antioxidants that may reduce the accumulation of ROS and finally ameliorate the disease. Overall, the clinical spectrum, pathophysiology, and therapeutic options of NAFLD share many things in common with T2DM and diabetes or aging-related complications. Therefore, this chapter is to highlight NAFLD as a common diabetes-associated liver disease from a diabetologist’s perspective. In particular, we present the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and introduce some nutraceutical antioxidants that may be used to prevent or cure NAFLD.