The accumulation of excess triglyceride in the liver, a condition known as hepatic steatosis (or fatty liver), is associated with adverse metabolic consequences including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Factors promoting deposition of fat in the liver include obesity, ... The accumulation of excess triglyceride in the liver, a condition known as hepatic steatosis (or fatty liver), is associated with adverse metabolic consequences including insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Factors promoting deposition of fat in the liver include obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and alcohol ingestion. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of liver disease in Western countries. In a subset of individuals hepatic steatosis promotes an inflammatory response in the liver, referred to as steatohepatitis, which can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer (summary by Romeo et al., 2008). Cohen et al. (2011) reviewed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. - Genetic Heterogeneity of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Another form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD2; 613387) has been associated with variation in the APOC3 gene (107720).
The propensity to develop hepatic steatosis differs among ethnic groups, with African-Americans having a lower (24%) and Hispanics a higher (45%) frequency of the disorder than European-Americans (33%) in a study of a large American urban population (Browning ... The propensity to develop hepatic steatosis differs among ethnic groups, with African-Americans having a lower (24%) and Hispanics a higher (45%) frequency of the disorder than European-Americans (33%) in a study of a large American urban population (Browning et al., 2004). Hispanics also have a higher prevalence of steatohepatitis and cirrhosis, whereas African-Americans are less prone to develop liver failure (Browning et al., 2004).