CXC chemokines as potential non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A review

Abstract

Lately, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has risen as the leading chronic liver disease worldwide, posing a significant risk for the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The rising prevalence of NAFLD among adolescents mirrors the increasing rates of obesity in this demographic group. Despite ongoing research, the precise etiology of NAFLD remains unclear, with the “multiple parallel hits” hypothesis garnering the most support. Among the various factors implicated in NAFLD’s progression, the CXC chemokine family has been identified as a potential contributor to its development. The purpose of this review is to explore the involvement of CXC chemokines in the development of NAFLD, identify their potential targets within the disease’s development, and explore possible clinical therapeutic avenues. In addition, we assess the feasibility of utilizing CXC chemokines as biomarkers for the diagnosis of NAFLD.

Keywords

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis / CXC chemokines / Non-invasive biomarkers / Inflammatory factor / Pathogenic mechanism / Medication

Funding

This work was supported by Zhejiang Scientific Research Foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NO.2022ZB106).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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