Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) : Pathological mechanisms, risk factors, and modern therapeutic challenges

Authors

  • Karrar Ali Hussein Al-Ghazzawi University of Warith al-Anbiyaa Author
  • Asmaa Abdeltwab Mahmoud Alexandria University image/svg+xml Author
  • Douaa Saadi Salim University of Basrah image/svg+xml Author
  • Safa M. Salim Northern Technical University image/svg+xml Author
  • Zainab Muzahim Mohammed University of Basrah image/svg+xml Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65591/5gw30v09

Keywords:

Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver disease, obesity, cirrhosis.

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases worldwide. It is characterized by the accumulation of fat within liver cells, which can negatively impact liver function. This disease is often silent in its early stages, with no apparent symptoms. However, as the condition progresses, symptoms of fatty liver disease may begin to appear, posing an increasing health challenge due to its close association with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. This research aims to review current understandings of the pathogenesis of NAFLD, analyze the risk factors contributing to its development, and discuss current treatment challenges and future research directions. The study employs a theoretical and analytical research methodology, reviewing recent medical literature and highlighting research gaps in this area.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] J.-S. Kang, H.-J. Kim, S.-J. Lim, S.-W. Lee, and I. Hwang, "An Overview of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases (NAFLD)," 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1010672

[2] M.-P. Li and K.-Z. Luo, "The outcomes and mechanisms of chronic hepatitis B complicated by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease," Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases International, 2025.

[3] M. Fazan, G. Selvi, and A. Krishnan, "Liver Cirrhosis and Its Management: A Comprehensive Review on Etiology, Complications, Emerging Hepatoprotective Agents and Novel Treatment Modalities," International Journal of Scientific Research and Technology, 2025.

[4] A. Kozłowska, "Clinical Insights into Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and the Therapeutic Potential of Flavonoids: An Update," Nutrients, vol. 17, no. 6, p. 956, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060956

[5] D. A. Koutoukidis et al., "Association of weight loss interventions with changes in biomarkers of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis," JAMA internal medicine, vol. 179, no. 9, pp. 1262-1271, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.2248

[6] T. Paris, E. S. George, S. K. Roberts, and A. C. Tierney, "The effects of diet and lifestyle interventions on insulin resistance in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review," European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, vol. 29, no. 8, pp. 867-878, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MEG.0000000000000890

[7] M. Romero-Gómez, S. Zelber-Sagi, and M. Trenell, "Treatment of NAFLD with diet, physical activity and exercise," Journal of hepatology, vol. 67, no. 4, pp. 829-846, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2017.05.016

[8] V. W. S. Wong et al., "Asia–Pacific Working Party on Non‐alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease guidelines 2017—part 1: definition, risk factors and assessment," Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 70-85, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.13857

[9] N. Chalasani et al., "The diagnosis and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: practice guidance from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases," Hepatology, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 328-357, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.29367

[10] S. Chitturi et al., "The Asia–Pacific Working Party on non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease guidelines 2017—part 2: management and special groups," Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 86-98, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgh.13856

[11] H. M. Parker, N. A. Johnson, C. A. Burdon, J. S. Cohn, H. T. O’Connor, and J. George, "Omega-3 supplementation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis," Journal of hepatology, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 944-951, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2011.08.018

Downloads

Published

2026-01-25

Issue

Section

Review Articles

How to Cite

Al-Ghazzawi, K. A. H., Mahmoud, A. A., Salim, D. S., M. Salim, S., & Mohammed, Z. M. (2026). Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) : Pathological mechanisms, risk factors, and modern therapeutic challenges. Center of Medicine, 2(1), 33-38. https://doi.org/10.65591/5gw30v09

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.