Genetic determinants of susceptibility and severity in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in most patients involves only simple hepatic steatosis; however, a minority develop progressive steatohepatitis. Family studies and inter-ethnic differences in susceptibility suggest that genetic factors may be important risk determinants for progressive disease. Polymorphisms in genes affecting lipid metabolism, cytokines, fibrotic mediators and oxidative stress may be associated with steatohepatitis...