Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease – A Brief Insight into Pathogenesis and Review of Recent Reports on Therapeutic Targets

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complication of global prevalence occurring due to defective regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism. Currently, NAFLD is being viewed as an emerging epidemic by virtue of increase in obesity cases. Accumulation of excess fatty acid in the liver, leads to activation of an array of inflammatory signals, resulting in hepatic steatosis. Inadequately treated steatosis would progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) marked by severe hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. In the light of rising NAFLD cases and lack of a validated therapy, formulation of novel and efficient treatment strategies are in high demand. Several factors including inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and receptors are involved in execution of the inflammatory process in NASH progression. A clarified comprehension related to the mode of action and interplay between these factors is indispensible for an efficient therapeutic approach for NAFLD. This review is focused on the key factors involved in NAFLD progression and their potential as therapeutic targets.