The journal we read pertaining to the young adult obese subjects in Italy brought to attention non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We know that obesity is a leading risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes, but it also plays a major role in liver disease. There are two types of fatty liver disease: alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic liver disease. From previous courses you may know that some fat in the liver is normal, however even a small percentage of total liver weight consisting of fat can be detrimental.
Alcoholic liver disease is brought upon by consuming large amounts of alcohol. These copious amounts can deter the liver enzymes responsible for alcohol metabolism. An increase in visceral fat also affects these enzymes and promotes liver disease. Non-alcoholic liver disease is caused mainly from obesity, which enlarges the liver to the point that the cells cannot properly work. The liver has an issue with breaking down fats, and because of this they begin to build up in the tissue. As we know, with increasing obesity comes the development of type 2 diabetes, helping in the formation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In fact, "more than two thirds of people with diabetes develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease." Obesity leads to increased cholesterol and triglycerides, and the development of insulin resistance.
Sources:
http://www.medicinenet.com/fatty_liver/page4.htm#what_is_the_relationship_between_nonalcoholic_fatty_liver_disease_obesity_and_diabetes
http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/fatty-liver-disease
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/basics/causes/con-20027761#
I heard that acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (an enzyme) is responsible for digesting and breaking down the alcohol in the body. But many people, however, apparently lack this enzyme and are thus unable to efficiently metabolize the alcohol. So I wonder if those that have this deficiency are at a higher risk of developing alcoholic liver disease even if they do not consume all that much alcohol. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteThat definitely seems plausible. What I found was that alcohol dehydrogenase oxidizes the ethanol in alcohol and converts it to acetaldehyde. Then acetaldehyde dehydrogenases converts the acetaldehyde to acetic acid. For a fun fact, acetaldehyde is more toxic than the alcohol it self and is what is responsible for may hangover symptoms. So if someone does not have this enzyme I would assume they would be more at risk for liver disease. This is according to, shame on me, Wikipedia, but I also looked it up on health: how stuff works.
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