Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition characterised by significant fat accumulation in the liver in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption. This can result in hepatic steatosis and progress to fibrosis and liver cirrhosis. Genetics, lifestyle factors, hormonal factors and insulin resistance are all known to contribute to NAFLD development. As such, the rise in prevalence follows the trend of obesity and diabetes. NAFLD is highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes affecting up to 60%. The presence of NAFLD also has been associated with diabetic complications such as kidney damage and retinopathy. Similarly, type 2 diabetes has been shown to result in poor outcomes for NAFLD patients. As both diabetes and NAFLD may share a casual relationship, each is a risk factor for the other.
Therefore, in tackling the rising pandemic of diabetes, the treatment of NAFLD and diabetes is an essential public health agenda. Due to their close relationship, effective treatment methods targeting one condition can improve the outcomes for the other. For example, the use of hypogylcemic agents in treating insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia as a way of preventing progression of NAFLD. This collection aims to address the challenges of treating these diseases and highlight new research in effective pharmacological and other treatment methods.
In this article collection we hope to highlight recent advances in research contributing to the treatment of NAFLD in diabetic patients. We will accept both original research and reviews on the following, but not limited to, subjects:
• The use of hypoglycemic agents in reducing liver fat accumulation and NAFLD progression
• Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists
• Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors
• The effectiveness of therapy in combination of non-pharmacological approaches such as addressing lifestyle factors
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition characterised by significant fat accumulation in the liver in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption. This can result in hepatic steatosis and progress to fibrosis and liver cirrhosis. Genetics, lifestyle factors, hormonal factors and insulin resistance are all known to contribute to NAFLD development. As such, the rise in prevalence follows the trend of obesity and diabetes. NAFLD is highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes affecting up to 60%. The presence of NAFLD also has been associated with diabetic complications such as kidney damage and retinopathy. Similarly, type 2 diabetes has been shown to result in poor outcomes for NAFLD patients. As both diabetes and NAFLD may share a casual relationship, each is a risk factor for the other.
Therefore, in tackling the rising pandemic of diabetes, the treatment of NAFLD and diabetes is an essential public health agenda. Due to their close relationship, effective treatment methods targeting one condition can improve the outcomes for the other. For example, the use of hypogylcemic agents in treating insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia as a way of preventing progression of NAFLD. This collection aims to address the challenges of treating these diseases and highlight new research in effective pharmacological and other treatment methods.
In this article collection we hope to highlight recent advances in research contributing to the treatment of NAFLD in diabetic patients. We will accept both original research and reviews on the following, but not limited to, subjects:
• The use of hypoglycemic agents in reducing liver fat accumulation and NAFLD progression
• Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists
• Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors
• The effectiveness of therapy in combination of non-pharmacological approaches such as addressing lifestyle factors
