Chemical Activators of the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is paralleling the insulin resistance andobesity epidemic and is regarded as liver metabolic syndrome, and its prevalence rate is increasing rapidly. The best explanation forthe occurrence and development of NAFLD is the multiple hit hypothesisinstead of the two-hit hypothesis. At present, NAFLD therapies are limited. Thenuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway is a keypathway in oxidative stress. Its downstream proteins/enzymes are regulated. Metabolic enzymes and antioxidant proteins/enzymes play a vital rolein cell defense protection and have attracted attention in the field of antioxidant research in recent years. Thispaper summarizes the regulatory mechanism of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and the research progress of Nrf2 activators in NAFLD to provide guidance for NAFLD therapy in the future.

Automated summary

This paper summarizes the regulatory mechanism of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and the research progress of Nrf2 activators in NAFLD, highlighting the crucial role of the Nrf2 pathway in cell defense protection.