Treatment of NAFLD: Diet, Physical Activity, and Potential Pharmacological Options

Abstract

Introduction and purpose Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in the world, and according to current data, it affects 38% of the global population. NAFLD includes non-alcoholic fatty liver and the progressive form called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which is characterized by damage, inflammation of hepatocytes, and fibrosis. NASH can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, it increases the risk of diabetes mellitus type 2, lipid disorders, and death due to cardiovascular causes. Currently, no cure is aimed at reducing the severity of NALFD and liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to provide a total review of the current state of knowledge regarding NAFLD treatment and to identify potential areas for further evaluation. Materials and method The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were thoroughly searched to select appropriate sources for this article. A brief description of the state of knowledge Diet, weight management, and physical activity constitute fundamental elements of every treatment regimen for NAFLD. Regarding pharmacological treatment, European guidelines recommend the use of vitamin E or pioglitazone in certain patients. Recently, the topic of NAFLD treatment has been a popular subject among scientists who are striving to discover new therapeutic options. A lot of recent research has exhibited promising outcomes for GLP-1 agonists, metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, FXR, and PPAR ligands. Summary The findings of the conducted studies so far are encouraging and offer promise for novel pharmacological interventions in the treatment of NAFLD. Nonetheless, before implementation, further research in this area will be imperative to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles of these pharmaceuticals.