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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Optimized Analysis of In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatic Steatosis
Published on: March 11, 2017
Causes and metabolic consequences of Fatty liver
Norbert Stefan1, Konstantinos Kantartzis, Hans-Ulrich Häring
1Department of Internal Medicine, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Abstract:
Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease represent a serious threat to the health of the population worldwide. Although overall adiposity and particularly visceral adiposity are established risk factors for these diseases, in the recent years fatty liver emerged as an additional and independent factor. However, the pathophysiology of fat accumulation in the liver and the cross-talk of fatty liver with other tissues involved in metabolism in humans are not fully understood. Here we discuss the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic fat accumulation, particularly the roles of body fat distribution, nutrition, exercise, genetics, and gene-environment interaction. Furthermore, the effects of fatty liver on glucose and lipid metabolism, specifically via induction of subclinical inflammation and secretion of humoral factors, are highlighted. Finally, new aspects regarding the dissociation of fatty liver and insulin resistance are addressed.
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