Apoptosis and fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming an increasingly common medical problem in the developed countries which, unfortunately, still is associated with the lack of any effective treatment. However, recent data favor a model in which a pathologically increased rate of hepatocytic apoptosis and the subsequent induction and upregulation of inflammation and fibrosis in the liver provide both a rationale for the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as a clue for designing first effective therapeutic strategies. In order to illuminate this context, this article focuses on the pathogenesis and possible new therapeutic options in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.