Adipose Tissue Involvement in Alcohol-induced Liver Inflammation in Human

The histological characteristics of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) related to overweight and obesity suggest the presence of partly common physiopathological mechanisms. We reported that the ponderal overload was an independent risk factor of alcoholic cirrhosis. The adipose tissue was considered for a long time as a simple place of storage of fat. However, it is now recognized that the adipose tissue can secrete cytokines called ADIPOKINES. The adipose tissue can secrete others cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL6, IL10 and IL1-Ra. Increase in the production of the leptin and TNF-alpha by the adipose tissue after alcohol administration in the rat, as well as the role of leptin in inflammation and liver fibrogenesis in the murine model of chemical hepatotoxicity strongly suggest that activation of adipocytes by alcohol can explain the strong correlation observed between the body mass index (BMI) and the severity of ethanol-induced liver injury. Conversely, it was suggested in a murine model that the reduction in adiponectin production would sensitize the liver with the toxicity of alcohol. The PPAR alpha and gamma are the receptors which play a role both in inflammation and glucide and lipid metabolism. Taking into account the inhibiting role of PPAR alpha on the proliferation of the hepatic stellate cells, responsible for the fibrosis, the PPAR could also be implied in the relation between the overweight and the hepatic fibrosis in the alcoholic.