Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease as a consequence of autonomic imbalance and circadian desynchronization

Abstract

The circadian system, headed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, synchronizes behaviour and metabolism according to the external light-dark cycle through neuroendocrine and autonomic signals. Metabolic diseases, such as steatosis, obesity and glucose intolerance, have been associated with conditions of circadian misalignment wherein the feeding schedule has been moved to the resting phase. Here we describe the physiological processes involved in liver lipid accumulation and show how they follow a circadian pattern importantly regulated by both the autonomic nervous system and the feeding-fasting cycle. We propose that an unbalanced activity of the sympathetic-parasympathetic branches between organs induced by circadian misalignment provides the conditions for the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A meta-analysis

“…Studies have demonstrated that patients with NAFLD had a higher prevalence of autonomic disturbance. [ 38 39 40 ] The cause of this increased autonomic abnormality is still not known. Studies have also shown that autonomic dysfunction could lead to abnormal gastric and esophageal motility and, thus, predispose to development of GERD.…”

Evolving roles of circadian rhythms in liver homeostasis and pathology

“…Evolving information suggests that the incidence and mortality of HCC are expected to rise since the increasingly metabolic syndrome with NAFLD, in addition to viral hepatitis and alcohol-induced liver diseases [ 130 ]. In view of the link between disrupted circadian rhythms and NAFLD has been extensively investigated [ 132 , 133 ], it is of interest to explore the functions and mechanisms of circadian clock involved in HCC.…”

Association between bedtime and the prevalence of newly diagnosed non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in adults

“…Amount evidence revealed that late sleep timing could lead to a disruption of circadian rhythm . On the one hand, circadian misalignment induced an unbalanced activity of the sympathetic‐parasympathetic branches between organs that contributed to the accumulation of fat in the liver . On the other hand, an experimental study demonstrated that circadian misalignment disrupted the liver clock and induced a global metabolic dysfunction in liver .…”