MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a range of hepatic conditions resulting from the accumulation of fat in the liver. According to NIDDK, between 30 to 40 million Americans have NAFLD, for which there is no established cure. This condensed literature review outlines both the pathophysiology of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and studies indicating the effects of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation on the severity of symptoms associated with NAFLD. Peer-reviewed articles from leading journals in metabolism, hepatology, and nutrient biochemistry are profiled. The role of insulin resistance in promoting the hepatocellular uptake, storage, and synthesis of fat is highlighted. Evidence from both animal and clinical studies supports the hypothesis that BCAA alleviates NAFLD symptoms. The role of BCAA in the suppression of de novo lipid synthesis in mice NAFLD models is illuminated. Additionally, possible connections between BCAA supplementation and diet-derived fat deposition in the liver are explored. Clinical studies clarify the capacity of circulating BCAA to serve as a biomarker of NAFLD severity in adolescents. The role of BCAA in diminishing the potential of NAFLD mice models to develop hepatocellular carcinoma, a condition which correlates with NAFLD, is discussed. Lastly, the influence of BCAA supplementation on mitochondrial activity is expounded upon, supporting the hypothesis that BCAA supplementation promotes mitochondrial biogenesis and enhanced metabolic processing of fat.
Reader’s Profile: I imagine a reader interested in areas in the field which were not explored in the condensed review.
Reader’s Response:
This condensed literature review is a decent start. I wish more areas were considered. I would be interested in the effect of BCAA supplementation on mitochondrial ROS production, which may be an additional marker of mitochondrial activity. I would also be interested in descriptions of research on the role of BCAA supplementation in insulin resistance in mice models or human subjects. These articles would provide more evidence on the mechanisms through which BCAA potentially alleviate NAFLD symptoms.

N, fabulous and detailed abstract about this work underway. Can you address one or two of this reader's concerns? Simple reference to reading that can illuminate these research edges is a courtesy.

Now, if these areas are not yet underway, that is another condition. You can address these avenues in your final section where you discuss the findings and implications for the line of research.