About this Research Topic
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently classified as metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is the most common chronic liver disease that ranges from simple steatosis, steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and cirrhosis. It is directly associated with several ectopic disorders like obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, etc.
Recent studies emphasize the involvement of the nervous system in NAFLD pathogenesis and progression. The interactions include but are not limited to: the discovery of an increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic nerve activity; the contribution of sympathetic nerve to hepatic lipid and carbohydrate metabolism; the complex role of hepatic innervation in the material metabolism and inflammation; the involvement of metabolic stress in the structural and functional changes in the hepatic nervous system in NAFLD; endocrine factors secreted from the liver which act as neurotransmitters and are correlated with neuroinflammatory or neurodegeneration disorders. Although increasing evidence suggests that nervous system dysregulation is a key culprit in metabolic disease processes, the complex role it has in NAFLD pathogenesis and progression remains unclear.
This Research Topic aims to clarify the intrinsic interactions between metabolic disorders and the alterations of the nervous system involved in NAFLD. We are searching for manuscripts that focus on exploring the cross-talk between metabolic and neural regulation networks and signaling pathways, the function of classical or new-found neurotransmitters in remodeling metabolism, the variation of gene expression patterns, and the epigenetic modulation of key modulators. In addition, we welcome papers exploring the molecular mechanism of NAFLD, studies identifying potential diagnostic biomarkers, and manuscripts unveiling novel therapeutic approaches.
Potential sub-topics include but are not limited to the following:
● The changes to the central and peripheral nervous system accompanied with metabolic disorders in NAFLD.
● Cross-talk between the nervous system and metabolic organs such as the liver, fat, pancreas, gut, etc.
● Cytokines secreted from metabolic organs which function in modulating nervous system activity, and neuroregulators of hepatic glycolipid metabolism.
● The changes of gene expression patterns, signaling pathways, networks, and key nodes, derived from sequencing with experimental confirmation.
● Novel therapeutic possibilities for NAFLD targeting the nervous system, including small molecule compounds, traditional Chinese medicine, etc.
Recent studies emphasize the involvement of the nervous system in NAFLD pathogenesis and progression. The interactions include but are not limited to: the discovery of an increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic nerve activity; the contribution of sympathetic nerve to hepatic lipid and carbohydrate metabolism; the complex role of hepatic innervation in the material metabolism and inflammation; the involvement of metabolic stress in the structural and functional changes in the hepatic nervous system in NAFLD; endocrine factors secreted from the liver which act as neurotransmitters and are correlated with neuroinflammatory or neurodegeneration disorders. Although increasing evidence suggests that nervous system dysregulation is a key culprit in metabolic disease processes, the complex role it has in NAFLD pathogenesis and progression remains unclear.
This Research Topic aims to clarify the intrinsic interactions between metabolic disorders and the alterations of the nervous system involved in NAFLD. We are searching for manuscripts that focus on exploring the cross-talk between metabolic and neural regulation networks and signaling pathways, the function of classical or new-found neurotransmitters in remodeling metabolism, the variation of gene expression patterns, and the epigenetic modulation of key modulators. In addition, we welcome papers exploring the molecular mechanism of NAFLD, studies identifying potential diagnostic biomarkers, and manuscripts unveiling novel therapeutic approaches.
Potential sub-topics include but are not limited to the following:
● The changes to the central and peripheral nervous system accompanied with metabolic disorders in NAFLD.
● Cross-talk between the nervous system and metabolic organs such as the liver, fat, pancreas, gut, etc.
● Cytokines secreted from metabolic organs which function in modulating nervous system activity, and neuroregulators of hepatic glycolipid metabolism.
● The changes of gene expression patterns, signaling pathways, networks, and key nodes, derived from sequencing with experimental confirmation.
● Novel therapeutic possibilities for NAFLD targeting the nervous system, including small molecule compounds, traditional Chinese medicine, etc.
Keywords: NAFLD, metabolic dysregulation, nervous system
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
