With a prevalence of up to 30% in the general population in industrialized countries, as well as an increasing prevalence in childhood population, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the most common today cause of chronic liver disease and constitutes a major risk factor for progression to liver failure, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition, in the recent years, it emerged that NAFLD plays a critical role in human metabolism. Several studies confirmed that NAFLD is strongly associated with insulin resistance and precedes the manifestation of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the responsible mechanisms involved in the process of hepatic fat accumulation and in the crosstalk of fatty liver with other tissues important for regulation of metabolism in humans are not fully understood.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the various genetic and environmental mechanisms leading to NAFLD and explaining its relationship with diabetes. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• State-of-the-art methods to assess liver fat content and its effects on metabolism
• Diagnostic procedures: sensitivity and specificity
• Biomarkers of fatty liver and liver disease, including but not limited to markers of diabetes
• Genetic determinants of NAFLD and its metabolic complications
• Role of inflammation and cytokines in the pathogenesis/progression of NAFLD
• Bile acids as regulators of hepatic fat accumulation and glucose metabolism
• Role of NAFLD in cardiovascular disease
• Estrogens/hormone replacement therapy in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and type 2 diabetes
• NAFLD and diabetes in children: particular features and challenges
• Effect of insulin-sensitizing agents on diabetes and NAFLD
• Effectiveness of bariatric surgery on diabetes and NAFLD
• Novel therapy and research directions

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