Future directions in reducing hepatic lipotoxicity

Abstract

In recent years, the increase in dietary energy availability and sedentary lifestyles has increased the development of obesity. Adipose tissue plays an important role in preventing the accumulation of lipids in other nonadipose tissues. However, during obesity, adipocytes become dysfunctional and, as a consequence, the fatty acids (FA) from adipocytes are released mainly into the liver. In the liver, FA are esterified to form triacylglycerols (TG) and there is also an increase inde novo synthesis of FA due to the hyperinsulinemia present during obesity. As a result, an accumulation of TG in the liver occurs, resulting in hepatic steatosis. Lipotoxicity refers to the FA that exceed the capacity of nonadipose tissues to oxidize them, thus enhancing the metabolic flux of FA to form harmful products involved in the progression of hepatic steatosis to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis. As an integral strategy to prevent or treat the consequences of lipotoxicity in humans, healthcare professionals must consider ne...