Advances into the Epigenetic Regulation by DNA Methylation in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

The incidence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFLD) and its complications is increasing worldwide, due to different factors, but especially to the increase of hypercaloric diets, sedentary lifestyle and obesity, as well as an increase in the percentage of aged populations in Western countries. Many efforts are being done to understand the pathogenesis of NAFLD to stop this global pandemic and many alterations in epigenetic mechanisms have been detected during the course of the disease. In this mini-review I will focus on recent articles (from the last year) that explore the link between deregulation of DNA methylation, an important epigenetic mechanism, and NAFLD development and progression towards steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer.