Expression of energy metabolism related genes in the gastric tissue of obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Stomach is an integral part of the energy balance regulating circuit. Studies exploring the effects of cross-system changes in the energy homeostasis in stomach tissue are scarce. The proximity of the stomach to liver--the most common secondary target affected by obesity--suggests that these two organs are exposed to each other's local secretion.

Expression of genes for microRNA-processing enzymes is altered in advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background And Aim: Recently, microRNAs (miRNA) have been linked to the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). First transcribed as pri-miRNA, these molecules are further processed by a complex of endonuclear and cytosolic RNA binding molecules to form mature miRNAs. The aim of this study is to investigate mechanisms of miRNA regulation in the visceral adipose of obese NAFLD patients via measuring expression of miRNA processing enzymes and pri-miRNA.