51
|
Ahmed MH, Hamad MA, Routh C, Connolly V. Statins as potential treatment for cholesterol gallstones: an attempt to understand the underlying mechanism of actions. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2011; 12:2673-81. [PMID: 22043827 DOI: 10.1517/14656566.2011.629995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Statin therapy is widely used across the globe for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is well established that statin therapy is associated with significant decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and plasma cholesterol levels. Cholesterol gallstones are a common problem, resulting in hospital admission and surgery, throughout western healthcare systems. AREAS COVERED This review describes the mechanisms, and addresses the potential, for statins to be used as a treatment for gallstones. Medline was searched for the risk factors and treatment of cholesterol gallstones. EXPERT OPINION Obesity, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), insulin resistance and high-fat diets (unsaturated fats) rich in cholesterol are all associated risk factors for cholesterol gallstones. In view of the high prevalence of cholesterol gallstones, there is an urgent need to understand whether pharmacological therapies can be harnessed for the treatment of cholesterol gallstones. Gallstones are shown to be associated with an increased risk, not only of mortality, but also of CVD. Statins, widely used in prevention of CVD and hypercholesteremia, have been shown to dissolve cholesterol gallstones in animal models and human studies, highlighting the potential for a pharmacological therapy for gallstones. More studies are required to understand the role of statins in the treatment of gallstones and for comparison with current treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H Ahmed
- The James Cook University Hospital, Cardiothoracic Division, Department of Cardiology, Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
52
|
Bodmer M, Brauchli YB, Jick SS, Meier CR. Diabetes mellitus and the risk of cholecystectomy. Dig Liver Dis 2011; 43:742-7. [PMID: 21616732 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2011.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2010] [Revised: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of cholecystectomy remains controversial. AIMS To explore the association between diabetes mellitus and the risk of cholecystectomy. METHODS Population-based case-control analysis using UK-based General Practice Research Database. Cases of cholecystectomy and up to four controls per case, matched on age, sex, BMI, general practice, calendar time, and years of history in the database were identified between 1994 and 2008. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of cholecystectomy in diabetics compared to non-diabetics. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated, adjusted for smoking, alcohol consumption, statin use, and additional confounders. RESULTS Amongst 22,574 cases with cholecystectomy and 72,476 controls, 1068 (4.7%) and 3270 (4.5%) had diabetes, respectively, yielding an adjusted OR for developing gallstone disease followed by cholecystectomy of 0.88, 95% CI 78-1.00, p=0.05) in association with diabetes mellitus. Neither glycaemic control, nor increasing diabetes duration or oral antidiabetic therapies were associated with an altered risk of cholecystectomy. Use of statins was protective in patients with (adj. OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.54-0.80, p<0.0001) or without diabetes (adj. OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.62-0.78, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Diabetes mellitus was not associated with an altered risk of cholecystectomy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bodmer
- Emergency Department, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
53
|
Erichsen R, Frøslev T, Lash TL, Pedersen L, Sørensen HT. Long-term statin use and the risk of gallstone disease: A population-based case-control study. Am J Epidemiol 2011; 173:162-70. [PMID: 21084557 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwq361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Most gallstones originate from cholesterol-supersaturated bile. Statins inhibit hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis and therefore may reduce the risk of gallstone disease. Population-based evidence, however, is sparse. Thus, the authors conducted a population-based case-control study using medical databases from northern Denmark (1.7 million inhabitants) to identify 32,494 cases of gallstones occurring between 1996 and 2008 and to identify age-, sex-, and county-matched population controls for each case. Cases and their matched controls who were exposed to lipid-lowering drugs were categorized as current users if their last prescription was redeemed ≤90 days before the case's diagnosis date; otherwise, they were categorized as former users. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for gallstone disease in patients treated with lipid-lowering drugs. In current users, the adjusted odds ratios associating statin use with the occurrence of gallstone disease were 1.17 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06, 1.30) for those who had 1-4 prescriptions, 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80, 0.97) for those who had 5-19 prescriptions, and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.69, 0.84) for those who had ≥20 total prescriptions. In former users, the corresponding adjusted odds ratios were 1.24 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.39), 0.97 (95% CI: 0.86, 1.10), and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.97), respectively. The use of other lipid-lowering drugs showed no similar association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rune Erichsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
54
|
Chabchoub I, Bouraoui A, Maalej B, Aloulou H, Mahfoudh A, Kamoun T, Hachicha M. Cholelithiasis in children: A single centre experience. Arab J Gastroenterol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2010.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
55
|
Wittenburg H. Hereditary liver disease: gallstones. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2010; 24:747-56. [PMID: 20955975 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2010.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Revised: 07/14/2010] [Accepted: 07/16/2010] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Gallstones are common in Western countries and due to pain and complications pose a substantial burden on health care systems. In general, cholesterol gallstones are distinguished from bilirubin gallstones. Bilirubin gallstones form if the ion product of unconjugated bilirubin and calcium in gallbladder bile exceeds the solubilisation capacities of mixed micelles and vesicles. Cholesterol gallstones develop if the amount of cholesterol in gallbladder bile exceeds the maximum concentration that is soluble at the given concentration of bile salts and phospholipids. In addition, cholesterol gallstone formation requires hypomotility of the gallbladder and a mucin gel as nucleation matrix for monohydrate crystals. The individual risk of gallstone formation is determined by interactions of lithogenic alleles of gallstone susceptibility genes and multiple environmental factors. For asymptomatic gallstones, expectant management is recommended, whereas an episode of gallstone-associated pain substantially increases the risk of complications such as cholecystitis, cholangitis and pancreatitis and therefore necessitates cholecystectomy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henning Wittenburg
- University of Leipzig, Department of Internal Medicine, Neurology and Dermatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
56
|
Di Ciaula A, Wang DQH, Wang HH, Bonfrate L, Portincasa P. Targets for current pharmacologic therapy in cholesterol gallstone disease. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2010; 39:245-64, viii-ix. [PMID: 20478485 PMCID: PMC2915454 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2010.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Gallstone disease is a frequent condition throughout the world and, cholesterol stones are the most frequent form in Western countries. The standard treatment of symptomatic gallstone subjects is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The selection of patients amenable for nonsurgical, medical therapy is of key importance; a careful analysis should consider the natural history of the disease and the overall costs of therapy. Only patients with mild symptoms and small, uncalcified cholesterol gallstones in a functioning gallbladder with a patent cystic duct are considered for oral litholysis by hydrophilic ursodeoxycholic acid, in the hope of achieving cholesterol desaturation of bile and progressive stone dissolution. Recent studies have raised the possibility that cholesterol-lowering agents that inhibit hepatic cholesterol synthesis (statins) or intestinal cholesterol absorption (ezetimibe), or drugs acting on specific nuclear receptors involved in cholesterol and bile acid homeostasis, may offer, alone or in combination, additional medical therapeutic tools for treating cholesterol gallstones. Recent perspectives on medical treatment of cholesterol gallstone disease are discussed in this article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Di Ciaula
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Bisceglie, via Bovio 279 - 70052 - Bisceglie (Bari), Italy, +39-80-3363271, +39-80-3363232 (fax)
| | - David Q.-H. Wang
- Liver Center and Gastroenterology Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Digestive Diseases Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, DA 601, Boston, MA 02215, (617) 667-0561, (617) 975-5071 (fax)
| | - Helen H. Wang
- Department of Medicine, Liver Center and Gastroenterology Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, DA 601, Boston, MA 02215, (617) 667-5156, (617) 975-5071 (fax)
| | - Leonilde Bonfrate
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Internal and Public Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, Policlinico, 70124 Bari, Italy. +39-80-5478227, +39-80-5478232 (fax)
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Medicine, University Medical School, Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
57
|
Abstract
Gallbladder cancer is the most common biliary tract cancer. The highest incidence rates occur in Chile, which also has the highest mortality rates. This lethal gastrointestinal cancer has a predilection among adult women and older subjects of both sexes, and also among populations throughout central and Eastern Europe and certain racial groups, such as Native American Indians. Unfortunately, prospects are poor for preventing this form of cancer.
Collapse
|
58
|
Sinha S, Gaitskell K, Borgstein R, Navaratnam R. An unusual cause of small bowel obstruction. Intern Emerg Med 2010; 5:161-2. [PMID: 19890610 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-009-0326-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2009] [Accepted: 09/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
59
|
Festi D, Reggiani MLB, Attili AF, Loria P, Pazzi P, Scaioli E, Capodicasa S, Romano F, Roda E, Colecchia A. Natural history of gallstone disease: Expectant management or active treatment? Results from a population-based cohort study. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010; 25:719-24. [PMID: 20492328 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2009.06146.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The knowledge of natural history is essential for disease management. We evaluated the natural history (e.g. frequency and characteristics of symptoms and clinical outcome) of gallstones (GS) in a population-based cohort study. METHODS A total of 11 229 subjects (6610 men, 4619 women, age-range: 29-69 years, mean age: 48 years) were studied. At ultrasonography, GS were present in 856 subjects (338 men, 455 women) (7.1%). GS were followed by means of a questionnaire inquiring about the characteristics of specific biliary symptoms. RESULTS At enrollment, 580 (73.1%) patients were asymptomatic, 94 (11.8%) had mild symptoms and 119 (15.1%) had severe symptoms. GS patients were followed up for a mean period of 8.7 years; 63 subjects (7.3%) were lost to follow up. At the end of the follow up, of the asymptomatic subjects, 453 (78.1%) remained asymptomatic; 61 (10.5%) developed mild symptoms and 66 (11.4%) developed severe symptoms. In subjects with mild symptoms, the symptoms disappeared in 55 (58.5%), became severe in 23 (24.5%), remained stable in 16 (17%); in subjects with severe symptoms, the symptoms disappeared in 62 (52.1%), became mild in 20 (16.8%) and remained stable in 37 (31.1%). A total of 189 cholecystectomies were performed: 41.3% on asymptomatic patients, 17.4% on patients with mild symptoms and 41.3% on patients with severe symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that: (i) asymptomatic and symptomatic GS patients have a benign natural history; (ii) the majority of GS patients with severe or mild symptoms will no longer experience biliary pain; and (iii) a significant proportion of cholecystectomies are performed in asymptomatic patients. Expectant management still represents a valid therapeutic approach in the majority of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Festi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
60
|
Abstract
Most disorders of the biliary system are associated with increased activity of parenchymal transaminases (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) and cholestatic enzymes (alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase) with or without hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice. While parenchymal liver disease is most common in the dog, inflammatory disorders involving the small- and medium-sized bile ducts and zone 1 (periportal) hepatocytes predominate in the cat. Historically, the incidence of disorders restricted to the gallbladder is low in both species; however, with routine diagnostic use of abdominal ultrasonography, the incidence of gallbladder mucoceles and cholelithiasis has increased. Extrahepatic bile duct obstruction is a well-recognized syndrome because of its association with pancreatitis and obvious jaundice. Less common disorders of the biliary system include a cadre of diverse conditions, including necroinflammatory processes, cholelithiasis, malformations, neoplasia, and an emerging syndrome of gallblader dysmotility.
Collapse
|
61
|
Alteration of sphingolipid metabolism and pSTAT3 expression by dietary cholesterol in the gallbladder of hamsters. Arch Pharm Res 2009; 32:1253-62. [PMID: 19784582 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-009-1911-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2009] [Revised: 06/10/2009] [Accepted: 06/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Cholesterol and sphingolipids are major lipid constituents of the plasma membrane and have been implicated in a number of human diseases, such as atherosclerosis, fatty liver, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and hypertension. However, the relationship between cholesterol and sphingolipid metabolism has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary cholesterol would induce the alteration of sphingolipid metabolism in hamsters. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in hamsters by placing them on an experimental diet containing 0.5% cholesterol plus 0.5% choline chloride for 8 and 12 weeks. The serum profile of the hamsters showed that the administration of cholesterol increased the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides as well as the activities of GOT and GPT. The levels of ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate (So-1-P) were remarkably elevated by 6-fold, respectively, in the bile juice of cholesterol-fed hamsters. Interestingly, the levels of iNOS and GFAP were increased in the gallbladders of cholesterol-fed hamsters. In addition, the immunostaining of pSTAT3 was increased on the gallbladder epithelium after cholesterol feeding. These results suggest that sphingolipid metabolism may be regulated in the bile juice during cholesterol feeding and may be a potential target for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia-induced diseases.
Collapse
|
62
|
Is complicated gallstone disease preceded by biliary colic? J Gastrointest Surg 2009; 13:312-7. [PMID: 18949524 PMCID: PMC2719723 DOI: 10.1007/s11605-008-0729-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cholecystectomy in cases of "warning" episodes of biliary colic may prevent biliary pancreatitis. We aimed to determine which proportion of patients with biliary pancreatitis, compared to other complicated and uncomplicated symptomatic gallstone disease, experienced "warning" episodes of colic and why these episodes did not lead to early cholecystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred seventy-five patients with complicated gallstone disease [pancreatitis (n = 53), symptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stones (n = 64), and acute cholecystitis (n = 58)] and 175 patients with symptomatic uncomplicated gallstones were interviewed at admission. RESULTS Fifty-seven percent (100 of 175) of patients with complicated disease (95% confidence interval = 50-65%) experienced "warning" episodes of biliary colic (pancreatitis 58%, CBD stones 67%, cholecystitis 45%) vs 96% (164 of 175) in uncomplicated disease. Eighty-seven percent of patients with "warning" episodes and complicated disease experienced patient's and general practitioner's delays. General practitioner's delay was more frequent if pain was located in the epigastric region compared to the right upper quadrant (51% vs 38%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Half of patients with biliary pancreatitis experience "warning" episodes of biliary colic, similar to other gallstone complications. In symptomatic patients, complications are often not prevented because of significant delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
|
63
|
Bernabeu I, Cameselle-Teijeiro J, Casanueva FF, Marazuela M. Pegvisomant-induced cholestatic hepatitis with jaundice in a patient with Gilbert's syndrome. Eur J Endocrinol 2009; 160:869-72. [PMID: 19258431 DOI: 10.1530/eje-09-0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We report on a patient with active acromegaly and Gilbert's syndrome who developed severe hepatic dysfunction during pegvisomant (PEGv) monotherapy. She was partially resistant to all previous therapies, including long-acting somatostatin analogs and cabergoline. Five months after starting PEGv therapy, with an already normalized IGF1, she developed cholestatic liver dysfunction with jaundice. Liver or biliary diseases including biliary sludge, cholelithiasis or liver steatosis were excluded. A liver biopsy was in keeping with drug-induced liver injury. The discontinuation of PEGv was followed by full clinical and biochemical recovery in 6 weeks. PEGv therapy was not resumed. Apart from a minimal increase of bilirubin levels, no liver function test abnormalities were found during the 4-year follow-up period after the PEGv was discontinued. Drug-induced liver injury is the most serious systemic adverse event resulting from PEGv therapy. Since patients with mild and asymptomatic liver disease could be at a higher risk of PEGv-induced hepatotoxicity, frequent monitoring of hepatic enzymes should be required in these cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Bernabeu
- Endocrine Division, Departamento of Medicina, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, , La Coruña, Spain.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
64
|
Portincasa P, Di Ciaula A, Wang HH, Palasciano G, van Erpecum KJ, Moschetta A, Wang DQH. Coordinate regulation of gallbladder motor function in the gut-liver axis. Hepatology 2008; 47:2112-26. [PMID: 18506897 DOI: 10.1002/hep.22204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Gallstones are one of the most common digestive diseases with an estimated prevalence of 10%-15% in adults living in the western world, where cholesterol-enriched gallstones represent 75%-80% of all gallstones. In cholesterol gallstone disease, the gallbladder becomes the target organ of a complex metabolic disease. Indeed, a fine coordinated hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal function, including gallbladder motility in the fasting and postprandial state, is of crucial importance to prevent crystallization and precipitation of excess cholesterol in gallbladder bile. Also, gallbladder itself plays a physiopathological role in biliary lipid absorption. Here, we present a comprehensive view on the regulation of gallbladder motor function by focusing on recent discoveries in animal and human studies, and we discuss the role of the gallbladder in the pathogenesis of gallstone formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piero Portincasa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Public Medicine, Clinica Medica A. Murri, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
65
|
Pourseidi B, Khorram-Manesh A. Triple non-invasive diagnostic test for exclusion of common bile ducts stones before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. World J Gastroenterol 2007; 13:5745-9. [PMID: 17963302 PMCID: PMC4171262 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i43.5745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To evaluate the impact of a preoperative “triple non-invasive diagnostic test” for diagnosis and/or exclusion of common bile duct stones.
METHODS: All patients with symptomatic gallstone disease, operated on by laparoscopic cholecystectomy from March 2004 to March 2006 were studied retrospectively. Two hundred patients were included and reviewed by using a triple diagnostic test including: patient’s medical history, routine liver function tests and routine ultrasonography. All patients were followed up 2-24 mo after surgery to evaluate the impact of triple diagnostic test.
RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were identified to have common bile duct stones. Lack of history of stones, negative laboratory tests and normal ultrasonography alone was proven to exclude common bile duct stones in some patients. However, a combination of these three components (triple diagnostic), was proven to be the most statistically significant test to exclude common bile duct stones in patients with gallstone disease.
CONCLUSION: Using a combination of routinely used diagnostic components as triple diagnostic modality would increase the diagnostic accuracy of common bile duct stones preoperatively. This triple non-invasive test is recommended for excluding common bile duct stones and to identify patients in need for other investigations.
Collapse
|
66
|
Calamita G, Portincasa P. Present and future therapeutic strategies in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2007; 11:1231-49. [PMID: 17845148 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.11.9.1231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is found in individuals who do not drink or abuse alcohol and represents a significant health burden for the general community. NAFLD is often associated with one or more features of the metabolic syndrome and has potential for evolution towards non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the necro-inflammatory form of liver steatosis. The most worrisome evolutive events in a subgroup of NASH patients include advanced liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Pathophysiology of NAFLD/NASH is complex, but studies point to a pre-eminent role of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the liver, including early mitochondrial dysfunction. Changes follow an insulin resistance status with a background of a chronic pro-inflammatory status due to an excess of visceral adiposity. Although no established therapy exists for NAFLD/NASH, potential therapeutic approaches are discussed in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of General and Environmental Physiology, University of Bari, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|