Is the Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Part of Metabolic Syndrome?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is caused by fatty infiltration of the liver in the absence of alcohol consumption. The incidence of NAFLD in general population is 30-40%. NAFLD is considered by some authors to be the liver manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and by other authors is considered to be a separate entity. The pathogenesis of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome seems to have common pathophysiological mechanisms, with focus on insulin resistance as a key factor. Insulin resistance seems to explain the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver, being the main pathogenetic link involved in the onset and progression of NAFLD. The natural evolution is not well known, and there is some controversy about the progression from NAFL to NASH and fibrosis. Current data on epidemiology, pathophysiology and diagnostic supports the association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as a possible component in the cluster of metabolic syndrome. Clinical, experimental and epidemiological studies argue that NAFLD may be the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome.