Drug-induced fatty liver disease: An overview of pathogenesis and management

Ann Hepatol. 2015 Nov-Dec;14(6):789-806. doi: 10.5604/16652681.1171749.

Abstract

Over the past decades, many drugs have been identified, that can potentially induce steatohepatitis in the predisposed individual. Classically this has been incriminated to amiodarone, perhexiline, and 4,4'-diethylaminoethoxyhexestrol (DH), all of which have been found to independently induce the histologic picture of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Pathogenetic mechanisms of hepatotoxicity although still evolving, demonstrate that mitochondrial dysfunction, deranged ATP production and fatty acid catabolism likely play an important role. Drugs like steroid hormones can exacerbate the pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to NASH, and other drugs like tamoxifen, cisplatin and irenotecan have been shown to precipitate latent fatty liver as well. Further research aiming to elucidate the pathogenesis of drug-induced steatosis and steatohepatitis is needed in order to better design therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / diagnosis
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / etiology
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / metabolism
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / therapy*
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Mitochondria, Liver / drug effects
  • Mitochondria, Liver / metabolism
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / diagnosis
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / etiology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / metabolism
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / therapy*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Adenosine Triphosphate