Citation

Maher JJ, Leon P, Ryan JC. Hepatology 2008; 48(2): 670-678.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/hep.22399

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Obesity is an inflammatory disorder characterized by heightened activity of the innate immune system. Innate immune activation is central to the development of obesity-related insulin resistance; it also plays an important role in obesity-related tissue damage, such as that seen in atherosclerosis. Recent research has implicated the innate immune system in the pathophysiology of obesity-related liver disease. This review summarizes how innate immune processes, occurring both within and outside the liver, cause not only insulin resistance but also end-organ damage in the form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2008;48:670–678.)