Background: It is estimated that around 70% of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients (T2DM) have Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Awareness and education are amongst the major shortcomings of the public health response to the increasing threat of NAFLD. Characterizing the specific NAFLD-related information needs of particular high-risk metabolic communities, for instance, T2DM patients, might aid in the development of evidence-based health promotion strategies, ultimately promoting NAFLD-awareness, treatment adherence and therapeutic success rates. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with T2DM patients were conducted to gain insight into their awareness of NAFLD, including its relationship with insulin resistance and T2DM. Results: Awareness of NAFLD as a disease entity, as well as its progression to end-stage liver disease or its relationship with other metabolic conditions, including insulin resistance and T2DM was low. Surveillance behaviours were also suboptimal and perceptions on the self-management knowledge and praxis regarding lifestyle intervention components of T2DM treatment seemed detached from those of NAFLD. Conclusions: Our findings could inform the integration of NAFLD-related content in T2DM health promotion strategies. Rising awareness on NAFLD progression and its relationship with T2DM using culturally and community-relevant constructs might facilitate the development of primary and secondary prevention programmes to promote the adherence to lifestyle interventions by influencing NAFLD threat perceptions.

Mitochondria play a central role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression and in the control of cell death signalling during the progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Associated with the metabolic syndrome, NAFLD is mostly driven by insulin-resistant white adipose tissue lipolysis that results in an increased hepatic fatty acid influx and the ectopic accumulation of fat in the liver. Upregulation of beta-oxidation as one compensatory mechanism leads to an increase in mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle flux and ATP generation. The progression of NAFLD is associated with alterations in the mitochondrial molecular composition and respiratory capacity, which increases their vulnerability to different stressors, including calcium and pro-inflammatory molecules, which result in an increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that, altogether, may ultimately lead to mitochondrial dysfunction. This may activate further pro-inflammatory pathways involved in the progression from steatosis to steatohepatitis (NASH). Mushroom-enriched diets, or the administration of their isolated bioactive compounds, have been shown to display beneficial effects on insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation by regulating nutrient uptake and lipid metabolism as well as modulating the antioxidant activity of the cell. In addition, the gut microbiota has also been described to be modulated by mushroom bioactive molecules, with implications in reducing liver inflammation during NAFLD progression. Dietary mushroom extracts have been reported to have anti-tumorigenic properties and to induce cell-death via the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. This calls for particular attention to the potential therapeutic properties of these natural compounds which may push the development of novel pharmacological options to treat NASH and HCC. We here review the diverse effects of mushroom-enriched diets in liver disease, emphasizing those effects that are dependent on mitochondria.

Sabe o que é o fígado? Conhece as muitas coisas importantes que faz, mantendo-nos vivos e saudáveis? Sabia que os hábitos alimentares podem afetar o bem-estar de nosso fígado? Ou que um estilo de vida sedentário pode prejudicá-lo? Provavelmente não sabe, mas uma em cada quatro pessoas no mundo tem Doença do Fígado Gordo Não Alcoólico (FIGNA; NAFLD na sigla inglesa), que pode passar despercebida por muito anos, e resultar em danos graves ao fígado, incluindo cirrose e cancro. Será que é uma dessas pessoas? O acumular excessivo de gordura no fígado é causado por dietas pouco saudáveis e estilos de vida sedentários. Acha que pode estar em risco? Embora estes problemas possam existir em pessoas com um peso ideal, a obesidade e a diabetes de tipo 2 são fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de FIGNA. Então como podemos resolver isto? Conheça melhor o seu fígado com esta banda desenhada, e descubra como tratar e prevenir esta forma de doença hepática! Pense no seu fígado da próxima vez que comer, e não se esqueça de o ajudar, mantendo um estilo de vida ativo. Lembre-se que um fígado equilibrado é meio caminho andado!

Simple biochemical concepts can be hard to grasp by non-specialists, even when they are related to practical contexts in industry, day-to-day activities, or well-acknowledged pathological conditions. This is especially important in instances where accurate communication of biochemical aspects for different types of stakeholders may be crucial. Examples include interacting with policymakers to establish guidelines, with patients (and/or caregivers) to identify key concepts in promoting awareness and adherence to therapeutic regimens, or with teachers and students for novel approaches in critical thinking. Focusing on our own work in developing communication tools for different purposes, in this review we will focus on some examples of how biochemical concepts can be effectively translated into illustrations and graphical narratives. For this purpose, engagement with target audiences in developing the materials themselves is key. We also discuss how specific projects can be tailored for different purposes, as well as evidence that comic-book strategies are effective in conveying biochemical and biomedical knowledge.

Sabe o que é o fígado? Conhece as muitas coisas importantes que faz, mantendo-nos vivos e saudáveis? Sabia que os hábitos alimentares podem afetar o bem-estar de nosso fígado? Ou que um estilo de vida sedentário pode prejudicá-lo? Provavelmente não sabe, mas uma em cada quatro pessoas no mundo tem Doença do Fígado Gordo Não Alcoólico (FIGNA; NAFLD na sigla inglesa), que pode passar despercebida por muito anos, e resultar em danos graves ao fígado, incluindo cirrose e cancro. Será que é uma dessas pessoas? O acumular excessivo de gordura no fígado é causado por dietas pouco saudáveis e estilos de vida sedentários. Acha que pode estar em risco? Embora estes problemas possam existir em pessoas com um peso ideal, a obesidade e a diabetes de tipo 2 são fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de FIGNA. Então como podemos resolver isto? Conheça melhor o seu fígado com esta banda desenhada, e descubra como tratar e prevenir esta forma de doença hepática! Pense no seu fígado da próxima vez que comer, e não se esqueça de o ajudar, mantendo um estilo de vida ativo. Lembre-se que um fígado equilibrado é meio caminho andado!