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Retinoic Acid Signaling in Fatty Liver Disease

Fathima N Cassim Bawa1, Yanqiao Zhang1

  • 1Department of Integrative Medical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA 44272.

Liver Research (Beijing, China)
|October 19, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Retinoic acid (RA), a vitamin A metabolite, plays a key role in health. This review explores how RA signaling impacts nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development and progression.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cellular Biology
  • Metabolic Diseases

Background:

  • Retinoic acid (RA) is a crucial vitamin A metabolite regulating physiological functions through genomic and nongenomic pathways.
  • Dysregulation of RA signaling is implicated in various diseases, making it a therapeutic target.
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development and progression are significantly linked to RA signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review vitamin A metabolism.
  • To elucidate the role of retinoic acid signaling in NAFLD.
  • To highlight how all-trans retinoic acid (AtRA) influences NAFLD pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of vitamin A metabolism.
  • Analysis of studies on RA signaling in NAFLD.
  • Synthesis of evidence on AtRA's effects on NAFLD.

Main Results:

  • RA is essential for development, growth, and cellular metabolism.
  • RA signaling impacts lipid metabolism, inflammation, and thermogenesis.
  • All-trans retinoic acid (AtRA) demonstrates inhibitory effects on NAFLD development and progression.

Conclusions:

  • Retinoic acid signaling is a critical factor in NAFLD.
  • Targeting RA pathways offers potential therapeutic strategies for NAFLD.
  • Understanding RA's role in lipid metabolism and inflammation is key for NAFLD treatment.
Keywords:
Retinoic acidfatty acid oxidationfatty liver diseaselipogenesisobesity

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