Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Its Links with Inflammation and Atherosclerosis

We summarize best data of the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

NAFLD has been linked with insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, conditions known to be associated with CVD and subclinical atherosclerosis. The rising evidence of the association between NAFLD and subclinical CVD may suggest that NAFLD is not only a marker but also may be actively involved in pathogenesis of CVD. It is an overview of previous studies assessing relationships between NAFLD and markers of cardiovascular disease, as the presence of coronary artery calcification, increased arterial stiffness, and elevated carotid media thickness, in order to better understand the interplay between these conditions.