Title:The Role of Epigenetics in the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Volume: 15
Issue: 14
Author(s): Nancy Edith Aguilar-Olivos, Jesús Oria-Hernández, Guadalupe Ponciano-Rodríguez, Norberto Carlos Chávez-Tapia, Misael Uribe and Nahum Méndez-Sánchez
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Biological markers, disease progression, DNA methylation, histones, liver, microRNAs, one-carbon metabolism.
Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease encompasses a spectrum of pathologies ranging from
simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis have
increased risk of cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. About 25% of subjects with
simple steatosis progress to steatohepatitis; nowadays, the detailed pathological factors influencing the
progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease remains unclear. It is proposed that genetic and environmental factors
interact to determine the disease phenotype. Epigenetics could explain some relationships between genes and external
influences. The epigenetic changes that have been related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are DNA methylation, onecarbon
metabolism, histone modifications and the presence of micro-RNA. DNA methylation and micro-RNAs have been
investigated in human samples, whereas histone modifications have only been studied until now in animal and cellular
models. The aim of this study is to review the most relevant information about epigenetic changes in non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis.
