Table 4.
Potential effects of the main hepatokines and adipokines on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis (29, 30, 92, 102).
| Organokine | Serum level in NAFLD | Effect on steatosis | Effect on inflammation (NASH) | Effect on fibrosis | HCC risk | Insulin resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adiponectin (91–93, 133) | Low | Reduces | Reduces | Reduces | No | No |
| Leptin (79, 93, 97, 134–136) | High | Reduces | Aggravates | Aggravates | Yes | No |
| Resistin (98, 100, 102, 103, 137) | High/decreased in NASH* | Aggravates | Aggravates* | Aggravates | Yes | Yes |
| Ghrelin (39, 92, 108–110, 138 – 139, 140) | Low | Aggravates | Reduces | Reduces | * | Unclear |
| FGF21 (112 , 114, 115, 141) | High (decreased in severe forms) | Reduces | Reduces | Reduces | No | No |
| Fetuin A (118–121) | High (very high in NASH) | Aggravates | Aggravates | Reduces* | Yes | Yes |
| Chemerin* (86, 124, 125, 142, 143) | High (reduced in advanced stages of NAFLD) | Aggravates | Aggravates* | Aggravates | Yes | Yes |
| Visfatin * (127, 144–152) | High* | Reduces* | Aggravates* | Aggravates* | Yes | Yes |
| Selenoprotein P (129, 131, 132, 153) | High (low in NASH and HCC) | Aggravates* | Aggravates* | Aggravates* | No | Yes |
FGF21, fibroblast growth factor 21; NASH,nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; *variable data.