Apr 10, 2010 | By
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Abnormal accumulation of fat in liver cells causes a condition called fatty liver or steatosis. Fatty liver is important because it can trigger an inflammatory reaction, which may cause liver scarring and possibly cirrhosis. Steatohepatitis is the term for fatty liver disease with inflammation. Many conditions can cause fatty liver; frequent causes include excessive alcohol consumption, obesity and a high-fat diet. Fatty liver not related to alcohol use is called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. If the condition is causing liver inflammation, it is called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH.
Excessive Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption is a common cause of fatty liver disease. Alcohol impairs the liver's normal metabolism of fat causing fat deposits within liver cells. Alcohol-related fatty liver may progress to alcoholic hepatitis.
Obesity
Obesity is strongly associated with fatty liver disease. Excess dietary fat and increased fat from body stores can cause fat buildup within the liver. As the rate of obesity has increased, so too has the rate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In a 2008 review article published in "Clinical Science," Drs. David Preiss and Naveed Sattar reported an estimated 20 percent to 30 percent of adults in developed nations have NAFLD.
Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes is associated with an increased risk for steatosis. The risk is highest among type II diabetics who are overweight and have poor blood sugar control.
Hepatitis C Infection
Infection with the hepatitis C virus may contribute to the development of fatty liver disease. This is important because the coexistence of chronic hepatitis C infection and fatty liver can accelerate liver disease progression. In a 2010 article published in "Nutrition and Metabolism," Dr. Silvia Mirandola and her colleagues note that approximately 50 percent of people with chronic hepatitis C have steatosis.
Medications and Supplements
Certain medications and supplements may cause steatosis including amiodarone, methotrexate, tetracycline, diltiazem, tamoxifen, valproic acid, cortisone, prednisone, highly active antiretroviral therapy (for HIV), and high doses of vitamin A.
Protein Malnutrition
Severe dietary protein deficiency can cause fat accumulation in the liver. Anorexia nervosa, prolonged fasting and restrictive low-protein weight loss regimens may cause fatty liver disease via protein malnutrition.
Wilson's Disease
Wilson's disease is an inherited disorder characterized by the accumulation of copper in the body. Copper accumulates in the liver causing progressive damage. Fat also commonly infiltrates the liver of people with Wilson's disease.
Lipid Storage Disorders
Hereditary disorders that interfere with the normal storage of body fats often cause steatosis. Examples of such disorders include Niemann-Pick disease, Gaucher's disease, Weber-Christian syndrome and abetalipoproteinemia.
Pregnancy
Acute fatty liver is a rare complication of pregnancy. With this condition, fat accumulates in the liver during the late stages of pregnancy. The disorder varies in severity, but is generally progressive until the baby is delivered. Although rare, this condition can be life-threatening.
References
- American Gastroenterological Association: American Gastroenterological Association Medical Position Statement: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Clinical Science: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease--An Overview of Prevalence, Diagnosis, Pathogenesis and Treatment Considerations
- Nutrition and Metabolism: Hepatic Steatosis in Hepatitis C is a Storage Disease Due to HCV Interaction with Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein (MTP)
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center: Wilson's Disease
- Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology: Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy
