Role of the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has now become the most common liver disease around the world, and there is an urgent need for better diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD. The osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (RANK) signaling pathway is an important signaling pathway involved in the balance of bone metabolism. This article introduces the OPG, RANKL, RANK, and OPG/RANKL/RANK systems and elaborates on the current research on the role of the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway in regulating the production of inflammatory factors and promoting the progression of NAFLD by activating NF-κB. It is pointed out that the OPG/RANKL/RANK system may be used as a potential target for the treatment of NAFLD.