The role of oxidized lipid species in insulin resistance and NASH in children

During the last two decades, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the most common hepatic disease in pediatrics, mainly owing to the rising prevalence of pediatric obesity. Epidemiological studies have shown that the progressive increase in NAFLD prevalence is associated not only with obesity but also with changes in dietary habits experienced by all age groups, characterized by the increased intake of added sugars and certain fatty acids. In this review article, we focus on the effect of oxidized fatty acids deriving from linoleic acid and arachidonic acid on the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD in youth.