| [ Summary ] |
Fatty liver conditions arise from various metabolic defects. They are frequently associated with diabetes mellitus and abnormal lipoprotein metabolism, leading to the hypothesis that fatty liver conditions are a sign of insulin resistance syndrome (metabolic syndrome X). In most cases, acquired factors are involved in the development of fatty livers. Fatty livers are also caused by genetic disorders. In particular, acute fatty livers, associated with of pregnancy, are also associated with genetic diseases linked to fatty acid bata-oxidation in the mitochondria of the fetus. Mice lacking PPAR-alfa and ACOX develop fatty livers. Mouse based models of congenital, generalized lipodystrophy also show an association with fatty livers. These observations, obtained from genetically engineered mice will provide insight into the molecular mechanism of the pathogenesis of fatty livers. |