2. Academic Validation
  3. Serum uric acid: a new therapeutic target for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Serum uric acid: a new therapeutic target for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

  • Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2016;20(3):375-87. doi: 10.1517/14728222.2016.1096930.
Dan-Qin Sun 1,  Sheng-Jie Wu 2,  Wen-Yue Liu 3,  Qian-Di Lu 1,  Gui-Qi Zhu 4 5,  Ke-Qing Shi 4 6,  Martin Braddock 7,  Dan Song 1,  Ming-Hua Zheng 4 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 a 1 Nanjing Medical University, Affiliated Wuxi Second Hospital, Department of Nephrology , Wuxi 214002, China.
  • 2 b 2 The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, the Heart Center, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine , Wenzhou 325000, China.
  • 3 c 3 The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Department of Endocrinology , Wenzhou 325000, China.
  • 4 d 4 The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Liver Research Center, Department of Infection and Liver Diseases , Wenzhou 325000, China [email protected] and [email protected].
  • 5 e 5 Wenzhou Medical University, School of the First Clinical Medical Sciences , Wenzhou 325000, China.
  • 6 f 6 Wenzhou Medical University, Institute of Hepatology , Wenzhou 325000, China.
  • 7 g 7 Global Medicines Development, AstraZeneca R&D , Alderley Park, UK.
PMID: 26419119 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2016.1096930
Abstract

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major, worldwide public health problem. NAFLD is recognized as a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. However, physicians are currently limited by available treatment options. Recently, numerous studies have reported a correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) and NAFLD with numerous clinical and experimental studies demonstrating a significant correlation. This review will focus on the role of SUA in the development of NAFLD and its potential role as a new target for therapeutic intervention.

Areas covered: This review discusses SUA as a significant independent factor in the development of NAFLD. Moreover, we introduce the causal relationship between SUA, metabolic syndrome, and NAFLD. We discuss two major theories of Insulin resistance and inflammasomes as potential explanations of the mechanistic link between SUA and NAFLD. In addition, we review current and emerging therapeutic medications to control appropriate SUA levels.

Expert opinion: There is an urgent need to develop novel, safe and effective therapies for the growing NAFLD epidemic. Reduction of SUA may be a promising potential treatment for patients with NAFLD. Clinical studies are required to determine the therapeutic effect of attenuation of hyperuricemia in humans with NAFLD.

Keywords

metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, inflammasomes, therapeutic options; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; serum uric acid.

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