Pathophysiology of NASH: Insulin resistance, free fatty acids and oxidative stress

Abstract

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a clinicopathological condition that comprises a wide spectrum of liver damage, ranging from steatohepatitis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. NASH is the most common liver disease in the United States, with a high prevalence in the obese, type 2 diabetic population and metabolic syndrome. Although the pathophysiology of NASH remains to be clarified, insulin resistance, free fatty acids and oxidative stress are the most important causes. In this review article, I focused on insulin resistance, free fatty acids and oxidative stress as main causes of NASH, and described the outlines of the pathophysiology of NASH.