The Genetics of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Role of Diet as a Modifying Factor

• Published in: Current nutrition reports 2014, Vol.3 (3), p.223-232
• Main Authors: Kalafati, Ioanna-Panagiota, Borsa, Dimitra, Dedoussis, George V. Z.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cardiology; Clinical Nutrition; Diabetes; Genetics (GVZ Dedoussis; Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Section Editor
• ISSN: 2161-3311; 2161-3311
• DOI: 10.1007/s13668-014-0085-3

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined as the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, and thus it is mainly linked to excess body weight and systematic insulin resistance. Moreover, recently published data are indicative of the contribution of environmental factors and susceptible genetic background in NAFLD onset and progression. PNPLA3 rs738409 is the main variant studied for NAFLD so far, and diet is recognized as the drastic environmental exposure. Research on the field is preliminary but promising. This review meets the need of a summary of all available data; it describes the role of specific genes and dietary constituents, as well as the nutrigenomic and nutrigenetic effects on NAFLD. Studies in the area hold promise for future personalized diet interventions on the reduction of NAFLD and related health problems incidence.