Relevance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity and their treatment advances

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease caused by factors other than alcohol and liver damaging agents. It is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Fat-derived factors as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and adiponectin play important roles in the development and progression of NAFLD. The "dual impact" theory means the inflammatory injury caused by oxidative stress on the basis of liver steatosis is the most widely accepted explanation for the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Treatment of obesity as on thetary therapy, physical activity, behavior therapy, pharmacotherapy and surgery can improve the obesity associated chronic inflammatory status, which is important and effective in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.