Uncoupling protein and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

To review the current advances on the role of uncoupling protein (UCP) in the pathogenesis and progress of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A comprehensive search of the PubMed literature without restriction on the publication date was carried out using keywords such as UCP and NAFLD. Articles containing information related to NAFLD and UCP were selected and carefully analyzed. The typical concepts, up-to-date findings, and existing controversies of UCP2 in NAFLD were summarized. Besides, the effect of a novel subtype of UCP (hepatocellular down regulated mitochondrial carrier protein, HDMCP) in NAFLD was also analyzed. Finally, the concept that any mitochondrial inner membrane carrier protein may have, more or less, the uncoupling ability was reinforced. Considering the importance of NAFLD in clinics and UCP in energy metabolism, we believe that this review may raise research enthusiasm on the effect of UCP in NAFLD and provide a novel mechanism and therapeutic target for NAFLD.

Citation

Xi Jin, Zun Xiang, Yi-Peng Chen, Kui-Fen Ma, Yue-Fang Ye, You-Ming Li. Uncoupling protein and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Chinese medical journal. 2013 Aug;126(16):3151-5

PMID: 23981628

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