[Attenuation of fatty accumulation in hepatocyte by incretin--expectation of novel medicine for treatment of NASH].

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have been recognized as a metabolic disorder characterized by fatty accumulation of the liver without alcohol consumption. The progression of the diseases has been considered to link to metabolic syndrome, consisting of obesity, diabetes mellitus(DM), dyslipidemia and hypertension. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide(GIP) function as incretin and stimulate glucose-mediated insulin production by pancreatic beta cells. Incretin was also reported to have various kinds of extrapancreatic effects including the regulation of hepatic glucose production, the inhibition of pancreatic exocrine secretion, cardioprotective and cardiotropic effects, the regulation of appetite and satiety, and stimulation of afferent sensory nerves. Therefore, incretins are also expected as therapeutic agents for NFLD and NASH.