Dysfunction of autophagy in high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases with a global rising prevalence, which is closely associated with a high-fat diet (HFD) intake. Macroautophagy/autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved degradation process for cytosolic macromolecules and damaged organelles. The potential role of autophagy in hepatic lipid metabolism has been recognized, while dysfunction of hepatic autophagy has been found to contribute to NAFLD. Herein, we provide an overview of the autophagy phases with the regulatory machinery, and the current understanding of hepatic autophagy in its protective role in HFD-induced NAFLD. We also discuss the genetic and pharmacological interventions that may help elucidate the molecular mechanisms of autophagy and influence the future therapeutic direction in NAFLD.