Research progress in relationship between microRNAs and alcoholic liver disease

Abstract

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major health problem globally. Long-term drinking can lead to fatty liver and inflammation, which in turn may cause liver fibrosis, cirrhosis or liver cancer. At present, the potential mechanism is not fully understood, and growing evidence shows that microRNAs (miRNAs, miR) play an important role in different stages of ALD. In this paper, the research progress in the role of various miRNAs in different stages of ALD is reviewed, and their application in ALD is prospected. Key words: Alcoholic liver disease; MicroRNA; Alcoholic fatty liver; Alcoholic hepatitis; Alcohol hepatic fibrosis