Obesity has now reached pandemic proportions. Behind the body fat accumulation, obesity is characterized by chronic low grade inflammation that can trigger or foster metabolic complications, including dyslipidaemia, hepatic and cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers. Regarding the liver, obesity is closely associated with the rising prevalence and severity of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is the most common chronic hepatic disease affecting approximately 25% of the general population. NAFLD comprises a wide spectrum of liver conditions ranging from relatively benign steatosis to inflammation and fibrosis typical of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), which represent the last reversible step of the disease. If not opportunely treated, NASH may progress in cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Several drugs have been developed to curtail obesity and NAFLD/NASH progression, and some of the drugs currently under investigation seems to display very important therapeutic potential.
However, there is currently no approved pharmacological therapy for NAFLD treatment and weight loss through lifestyle interventions (diet plus exercise) is still considered as the most effective strategy.
The mechanisms behind the transition from steatosis to NASH and to more severe form of liver diseases are still not well defined. Nowadays, the “multiple hit” hypothesis is well accepted and it is clear that there are multiple factors contributing to the onset and development of NAFLD, including several hepatic mechanisms such as defects in lipid and glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity but also signals arising from extra-hepatic organs (i.e. adipose tissue and gut).
Nonetheless, the different paths leading from healthy to pathologic situations, and the links between NAFLD and obesity remain to be better described. In depth characterization of the biochemical and molecular pathways driving the onset and progression of the disease is also crucial to identify new valuable therapeutic targets and pharmacological approaches.
Thus, the aim of this Research Topic is to cover promising, recent and novel insights on the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of obesity and liver diseases, which may lead to the identification of new targets useful for the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of these diseases.
We welcome the submission of Original Research articles, Reviews, Opinions, Perspectives, and Mini and Systematic Reviews, focusing on but not limited to the following themes:
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in obesity
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in NAFLD and NASH
- Crosstalk between obesity and liver diseases
- Organs cross-talk in the development of liver diseases
- Sex dimorphism in obesity and liver diseases
- Microbiome contribution to the development on liver diseases
- Omics, obesity and liver diseases
- Identification of new biomarkers of liver diseases
- Novel therapeutic strategies and targets for obesity and liver diseases
- Nutritional aspects in obesity and liver diseases
- Obesity, liver diseases and cancer
Obesity has now reached pandemic proportions. Behind the body fat accumulation, obesity is characterized by chronic low grade inflammation that can trigger or foster metabolic complications, including dyslipidaemia, hepatic and cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers. Regarding the liver, obesity is closely associated with the rising prevalence and severity of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is the most common chronic hepatic disease affecting approximately 25% of the general population. NAFLD comprises a wide spectrum of liver conditions ranging from relatively benign steatosis to inflammation and fibrosis typical of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), which represent the last reversible step of the disease. If not opportunely treated, NASH may progress in cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. Several drugs have been developed to curtail obesity and NAFLD/NASH progression, and some of the drugs currently under investigation seems to display very important therapeutic potential.
However, there is currently no approved pharmacological therapy for NAFLD treatment and weight loss through lifestyle interventions (diet plus exercise) is still considered as the most effective strategy.
The mechanisms behind the transition from steatosis to NASH and to more severe form of liver diseases are still not well defined. Nowadays, the “multiple hit” hypothesis is well accepted and it is clear that there are multiple factors contributing to the onset and development of NAFLD, including several hepatic mechanisms such as defects in lipid and glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity but also signals arising from extra-hepatic organs (i.e. adipose tissue and gut).
Nonetheless, the different paths leading from healthy to pathologic situations, and the links between NAFLD and obesity remain to be better described. In depth characterization of the biochemical and molecular pathways driving the onset and progression of the disease is also crucial to identify new valuable therapeutic targets and pharmacological approaches.
Thus, the aim of this Research Topic is to cover promising, recent and novel insights on the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of obesity and liver diseases, which may lead to the identification of new targets useful for the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of these diseases.
We welcome the submission of Original Research articles, Reviews, Opinions, Perspectives, and Mini and Systematic Reviews, focusing on but not limited to the following themes:
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in obesity
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in NAFLD and NASH
- Crosstalk between obesity and liver diseases
- Organs cross-talk in the development of liver diseases
- Sex dimorphism in obesity and liver diseases
- Microbiome contribution to the development on liver diseases
- Omics, obesity and liver diseases
- Identification of new biomarkers of liver diseases
- Novel therapeutic strategies and targets for obesity and liver diseases
- Nutritional aspects in obesity and liver diseases
- Obesity, liver diseases and cancer
