Fig. 2. The role of autophagy in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Excessive nutrients induce the enlargement of adipose tissue, which increases free fatty acids by promoting lipolysis and inflammatory adipokine secretion. This process leads to lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in the liver, resulting in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Autophagy, which can inhibit inflammation and promote the degradation of lipid droplets, has the potential as a novel therapeutic target in NAFLD.