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Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1568-0266
ISSN (Online): 1873-4294

Review Article

Molecular Determinants of Chronic Liver Disease as Studied by NMR-Metabolomics

Author(s): Nieves Embade and Oscar Millet*

Volume 17, Issue 24, 2017

Page: [2752 - 2766] Pages: 15

DOI: 10.2174/1568026617666170707124539

Price: $65

Abstract

Chronic liver diseases are one of the major causess of mortality worldwide. It can manifest through many different forms including chronic virus infection, alcohol abuse, metabolic syndromes such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. At early stages, the liver can repair the damage produced by the insult. However, upon continuous damage, the accumulation of molecules triggers fibrosis, which subsequently progresses towards cirrhosis and, ultimately, hepatocarcinoma. Early diagnosis of liver disease and a proper staging of fibrosis are crucial in therapy since drugs are only effective at incipient and intermediate stages of the disease. In this context, liver biopsy is the gold standard, but it is invasive and can produce complications. Metabolomics has emerged as a potent discipline to identify new biomarkers in a non-invasive way. Here, we compile and critically review the existing NMR-based metabolomics studies on chronic liver diseases, specifically covering non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and those produced by virus infection.

Keywords: Liver, Fibrosis progression, Cirrhosis, NAFLD, NASH, ALD, HBV, HCV, NMR, Metabolomics, Biomarkers.

Graphical Abstract

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