Association Between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Heavy Metal Exposure: a Systematic Review

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#humans #non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease #cadmium #arsenic #metals-heavy

Association Between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Heavy Metal Exposure: a Systematic Review

Sadighara et al., 2023 | Biol Trace Elem Res | Systematic Review

Citation

Sadighara Parisa, Abedini Amir Hossein, ... Yousefi Mahmood. Association Between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Heavy Metal Exposure: a Systematic Review. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2023-Dec;201(12):5607-5615. doi:10.1007/s12011-023-03629-9

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a debilitating disease with adverse effects including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Heavy metals can cause severe dysfunction in different body organs including the liver. This review offers the study regarding the positive or negative association between heavy metals exposure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The method used in this study is a systematic review based on searching in the PubMed, Scopus, and Science direct databases with the keywords of fatty liver, non-alcohol fatty liver, heavy metal, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, thallium, lead, iron, zinc, and nickel. There were 2200 articles searched in databases, and after assessment, 28 articles were selected. Positive association is established between arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, mercury, and fatty liver disease. A negative relationship is found between zinc, copper, and progressive fatty liver disease. Furthermore, laboratory methods for NAFLD diagnosis were examined according to the obtained manuscripts. Among the different diagnostic methods, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive method.

Key Findings

Among the different diagnostic methods, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive method.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Cadmium
  • Arsenic
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Mercury
  • Iron
  • Zinc

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: chromium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09