The Role of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease in western countries and is closely related to the metabolic syndrome. When NAFLD is associated with hepatocellular damage and inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]) it can lead to severe liver disease. However, it has become clear that NAFLD is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), independently of classical known risk factors for the latter. In the current review we briefly summarise the current clinical evidence on the role of NAFLD in CVD and discuss the potential mechanisms by which NAFLD can be linked to the pathophysiology of CVD.