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Lonardo A, Ballestri S, Mantovani A, Targher G, Bril F. Endpoints in NASH Clinical Trials: Are We Blind in One Eye? Metabolites 2024; 14:40. [PMID: 38248843 PMCID: PMC10820221 DOI: 10.3390/metabo14010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This narrative review aims to illustrate the notion that nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), recently renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), is a systemic metabolic disorder featuring both adverse hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes. In recent years, several NASH trials have failed to identify effective pharmacological treatments and, therefore, lifestyle changes are the cornerstone of therapy for NASH. with this context, we analyze the epidemiological burden of NASH and the possible pathogenetic factors involved. These include genetic factors, insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, immuno-thrombosis, oxidative stress, reprogramming of hepatic metabolism, and hypoxia, all of which eventually culminate in low-grade chronic inflammation and increased risk of fibrosis progression. The possible explanations underlying the failure of NASH trials are also accurately examined. We conclude that the high heterogeneity of NASH, resulting from variable genetic backgrounds, exposure, and responses to different metabolic stresses, susceptibility to hepatocyte lipotoxicity, and differences in repair-response, calls for personalized medicine approaches involving research on noninvasive biomarkers. Future NASH trials should aim at achieving a complete assessment of systemic determinants, modifiers, and correlates of NASH, thus adopting a more holistic and unbiased approach, notably including cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic outcomes, without restricting therapeutic perspectives to histological surrogates of liver-related outcomes alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- AOU—Modena—Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, 41126 Modena, Italy;
| | | | - Alessandro Mantovani
- Section of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Piazzale Stefani, 37126 Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy;
- Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore—Don Calabria Hospital, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Fernando Bril
- Department of Medicine, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35233, USA;
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2
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Blackmore K, Houchen CJ, Simonyan H, Arestakesyan H, Stark AK, Dow SA, Kim HR, Jeong JK, Popratiloff A, Young CN. A forebrain-hypothalamic ER stress driven circuit mediates hepatic steatosis during obesity. Mol Metab 2024; 79:101858. [PMID: 38141847 PMCID: PMC10809102 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 1 in 3 adults and contributes to advanced liver injury and cardiometabolic disease. While recent evidence points to involvement of the brain in NAFLD, the downstream neural circuits and neuronal molecular mechanisms involved in this response, remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of a unique forebrain-hypothalamic circuit in NAFLD. METHODS Chemogenetic activation and inhibition of circumventricular subfornical organ (SFO) neurons that project to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN; SFO→PVN) in mice were used to study the role of SFO→PVN signaling in NAFLD. Novel scanning electron microscopy techniques, histological approaches, molecular biology techniques, and viral methodologies were further used to delineate the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress within this circuit in driving NAFLD. RESULTS In lean animals, acute chemogenetic activation of SFO→PVN neurons was sufficient to cause hepatic steatosis in a liver sympathetic nerve dependent manner. Conversely, inhibition of this forebrain-hypothalamic circuit rescued obesity-associated NAFLD. Furthermore, dietary NAFLD is associated with marked ER ultrastructural alterations and ER stress in the PVN, which was blunted following reductions in excitatory signaling from the SFO. Finally, selective inhibition of PVN ER stress reduced hepatic steatosis during obesity. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these findings characterize a previously unrecognized forebrain-hypothalamic-ER stress circuit that is involved in hepatic steatosis, which may point to future therapeutic strategies for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Blackmore
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Claire J Houchen
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Hayk Simonyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Hovhannes Arestakesyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Alyssa K Stark
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Samantha A Dow
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Han Rae Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Jin Kwon Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Anastas Popratiloff
- Nanofabrication and Imaging Center, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Colin N Young
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
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3
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Ramatchandirin B, Pearah A, He L. Regulation of Liver Glucose and Lipid Metabolism by Transcriptional Factors and Coactivators. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020515. [PMID: 36836874 PMCID: PMC9962321 DOI: 10.3390/life13020515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide is on the rise and NAFLD is becoming the most common cause of chronic liver disease. In the USA, NAFLD affects over 30% of the population, with similar occurrence rates reported from Europe and Asia. This is due to the global increase in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) because patients with obesity and T2DM commonly have NAFLD, and patients with NAFLD are often obese and have T2DM with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia as well as hypertriglyceridemia. Excessive accumulation of triglycerides is a hallmark of NAFLD and NAFLD is now recognized as the liver disease component of metabolic syndrome. Liver glucose and lipid metabolisms are intertwined and carbon flux can be used to generate glucose or lipids; therefore, in this review we discuss the important transcription factors and coactivators that regulate glucose and lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexia Pearah
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Ling He
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-410-502-5765; Fax: +1-410-502-5779
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4
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Venniyoor A, Al Farsi AA, Al Bahrani B. The Troubling Link Between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Extrahepatic Cancers (EHC). Cureus 2021; 13:e17320. [PMID: 34557366 PMCID: PMC8449927 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a fast-spreading epidemic across the globe and has serious implications far beyond that of a "benign" liver condition. It is usually an outcome of ectopic fat storage due to chronic positive energy balance leading to obesity and is associated with multiple health problems. While association with cardiovascular disease and hepatocellular cancer is well recognized, it is becoming clear the NAFLD carries with it an increased risk of cancers of extrahepatic tissues. Studies have reported a higher risk for cancers of the colon, breast, prostate, lung, and pancreas. Fatty liver is associated with increased mortality; there is an urgent need to understand that fatty liver is not always benign, and not always associated with obesity. It is, however, a reversible condition and early recognition and intervention can alter its natural history and associated complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajit Venniyoor
- Medical Oncology, National Oncology Center, The Royal Hospital, Muscat, OMN
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5
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Sharma S, Stine JG, Verbeek T, Bezinover D. Management of Patients With Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Undergoing Liver Transplantation: Considerations for the Anesthesiologist. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2021; 36:2616-2627. [PMID: 34391652 DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2021.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) currently affects more than 25% of the world population and is rising. NAFLD can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis that is associated with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and can result in cirrhosis with subsequent liver failure. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has now emerged as one of the leading etiologies for a liver transplant among adults in the United States. Given the rising incidence of liver transplants in patients with NASH-related cirrhosis, it is essential for anesthesiologists to be familiar with this condition as well as with NASH-related comorbidities and perioperative complications. Not only is NASH linked to metabolic syndrome, but it also is independently associated with cardiovascular disease, renal and thyroid dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and a hypercoagulable state. The association with these conditions can affect the perioperative outcome of these patients, particularly because of increased mortality from major adverse cardiovascular events and sepsis. In order to decrease the perioperative morbidity and mortality of patients with NASH undergoing a liver transplant, a multidisciplinary approach to their perioperative management is essential, along with careful preoperative evaluation and aggressive intraoperative and postoperative monitoring. The focus of this review article is to provide a comprehensive overview of challenges associated with liver transplants in patients with NASH and to provide suggestions for appropriate patient selection and perioperative management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Sharma
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA.
| | - Jonathan G Stine
- Liver Center, Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA; Department of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA; Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA
| | - Thomas Verbeek
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA
| | - Dmitri Bezinover
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA; Liver Center, Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA
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Salunkhe SA, Chitkara D, Mahato RI, Mittal A. Lipid based nanocarriers for effective drug delivery and treatment of diabetes associated liver fibrosis. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 173:394-415. [PMID: 33831474 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a cluster of several liver diseases like hepatic steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis which may eventually progress to liver carcinoma. One of the primary key factors associated with the development and pathogenesis of NAFLD is diabetes mellitus. The present review emphasizes on diabetes-associated development of liver fibrosis and its treatment using different lipid nanoparticles such as stable nucleic acid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems, and conjugates including phospholipid, fatty acid and steroid-based. We have comprehensively described the various pathological and molecular events linking effects of elevated free fatty acid levels, insulin resistance, and diabetes with the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Various passive and active targeting strategies explored for targeting hepatic stellate cells, a key target in liver fibrosis, have also been discussed in detail in this review.
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Abstract
Our understanding of fatty liver syndromes and their relationship with the metabolic syndrome has improved over recent decades and, paralleling this, we are now at the dawn of the NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) to MAFLD (metabolic-associated fatty liver disease) transition. The pitfalls of NAFLD diagnosis, together with disappointing results in therapeutic trials, and the inconsistencies and risks inherent in a "negative" definition (such as "nonalcoholic") as opposed to a "positive" one (i.e., "metabolic") are predicted to facilitate the proposed renaming of NAFLD to MAFLD. However, a premature change of terminology would not necessarily address major unmet needs in this area, and may even become counterproductive. As an aid to selecting more homogeneous cohorts of patients, I propose the LDE (Liver, Determinants, Extra-hepatic) classification system which, in principle, may help to assess the natural course of disease as well as the efficacy of novel drugs in patients with NAFLD/MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 4110 Modena, Italy
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8
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Alswat K, Sanai FM, Al-hamoudi W, Ismail M, Dahlan Y, AlGhamdi HS, Altraif I, Alalwan A, Babatin MMA, Alqahtani SA. Clinical and Metabolic Characteristics of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients in Saudi Arabia: Data from the Systematic Observatory Liver Disease (SOLID) Registry. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2021; 14:1167-1175. [PMID: 33762835 PMCID: PMC7982437 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s300051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing in Saudi Arabia (SA), but descriptions of the clinical and metabolic characteristics of these patients are limited. The present study aims to fill this gap. METHODS Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of all NAFLD patients from 2009 to 2019 were retrieved from the Systematic Observatory Liver Disease Registry (SOLID) [n=832 (337 males; 495 females); mean (± standard deviation, SD) age was 42.6±13.6 years; mean body mass index (BMI) was 35.0±9.3kg/m2]. Non-invasive surrogate scores of fibrosis (eg AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), and NAFLD fibrosis (NFS) scores) were calculated and analyzed. In addition, data from NAFLD patients with normal and high alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were compared using two different methods: the standard laboratory reference range which defines normal as ALT<61 IU/L, and the range proposed by a recent national study which sets upper limits of normal ALT at 33 IU/l for men and 22 IU/l for women. RESULTS Hyperlipidemia was the most common comorbidity (41.7%), followed by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (35.3%) and hypertension (28.4%). Prevalence of advanced fibrosis varied widely across definitions [FIB-4, N=19 (2.5%); APRI, N=21 (2.8%); NFS, N=62 (8.6%)] and exhibited sexual dimorphism with males having worse metabolic characteristics. NAFLD patients with normal ALT were more likely to be older, female, have a lower BMI, and have a higher prevalence of cirrhosis, DM, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and renal dysfunction. CONCLUSION Patients with NAFLD have metabolic characteristics associated with several comorbidities, including NAFLD patients with normal ALT. Mechanistic studies are needed to examine and analyze complex, interactive effects between sex, age, and other factors that may accelerate NAFLD disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Alswat
- Liver Disease Research Center, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence: Khalid Alswat Liver Disease Research Center, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2925(59), Riyadh, 11461, Saudi ArabiaTel +966114670810Fax +966114672403 Email
| | - Faisal M Sanai
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Al-hamoudi
- Liver Disease Research Center, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona Ismail
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yaser Dahlan
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamdan Saleh AlGhamdi
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Hepatology Division, Department of Hepatobiliary Sciences and Organs Transplant Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City of National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Altraif
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Hepatology Division, Department of Hepatobiliary Sciences and Organs Transplant Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City of National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abduljaleel Alalwan
- King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Hepatology Division, Department of Hepatobiliary Sciences and Organs Transplant Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City of National Guard, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed M A Babatin
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine, King Fahad Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A Alqahtani
- Liver Transplant Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
Rational government of patient fluxes from primary care to hepatology clinic is a priority of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) research. Estimating pre-test probability of disease, risk of fibrosis progression, and exclusion of competing causes of liver disease must be addressed. Here we propose a novel taxonomic classification of NAFLD based on hepatic, pathogenic and systemic features of disease in the individual patient. The variable course of disease in any given patient remains a clinical enigma. Therefore, future studies will have to better characterize the role of genetic polymorphisms, family and personal history, diet, alcohol, physical activity and drugs as modifiers of the course of disease and clues to the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. A better understanding of these, together with a taxonomic diagnosis, may prompt a more accurate personalization of care. For example, understanding the putative role of psycho-depression in NAFLD promises to revolutionize disease management in a proportion of cases. Similarly, sex differences in outcome and response to treatment are insufficiently characterized. More studies are awaited regarding those forms of NAFLD which occur secondary to endocrine derangements. The intersections between NAFLD and the lung must better be defined. These include the bi-directional associations of NAFLD and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sleep apnoea syndrome, as well as the totally unexplored chapter of NAFLD and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Finally, the therapeutic roles of intermittent fasting and anticoagulation must be assessed. In conclusion, over the last 20 years, NAFLD has taught us a lot regarding the pathogenic importance of insulin resistance, the limitations of correcting this in the treatment of NAFLD, the root causes of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, sex differences in disease and the role of nuclear receptors. However, the overwhelming COVID-19 pandemic is now expected to reset the priorities of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, 41125 Modena, Italy
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10
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Lonardo A, Ballestri S. Perspectives of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease research: a personal point of view. Exploration of Medicine 2020. [DOI: doi.org/10.37349/emed.2020.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Rational government of patient fluxes from primary care to hepatology clinic is a priority of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) research. Estimating pre-test probability of disease, risk of fibrosis progression, and exclusion of competing causes of liver disease must be addressed. Here we propose a novel taxonomic classification of NAFLD based on hepatic, pathogenic and systemic features of disease in the individual patient. The variable course of disease in any given patient remains a clinical enigma. Therefore, future studies will have to better characterize the role of genetic polymorphisms, family and personal history, diet, alcohol, physical activity and drugs as modifiers of the course of disease and clues to the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. A better understanding of these, together with a taxonomic diagnosis, may prompt a more accurate personalization of care. For example, understanding the putative role of psycho-depression in NAFLD promises to revolutionize disease management in a proportion of cases. Similarly, sex differences in outcome and response to treatment are insufficiently characterized. More studies are awaited regarding those forms of NAFLD which occur secondary to endocrine derangements. The intersections between NAFLD and the lung must better be defined. These include the bi-directional associations of NAFLD and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sleep apnoea syndrome, as well as the totally unexplored chapter of NAFLD and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Finally, the therapeutic roles of intermittent fasting and anticoagulation must be assessed. In conclusion, over the last 20 years, NAFLD has taught us a lot regarding the pathogenic importance of insulin resistance, the limitations of correcting this in the treatment of NAFLD, the root causes of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, sex differences in disease and the role of nuclear receptors. However, the overwhelming COVID-19 pandemic is now expected to reset the priorities of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, 41125 Modena, Italy
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11
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Kur P, Kolasa-Wołosiuk A, Misiakiewicz-Has K, Wiszniewska B. Sex Hormone-Dependent Physiology and Diseases of Liver. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E2620. [PMID: 32290381 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism is associated not only with somatic and behavioral differences between men and women, but also with physiological differences reflected in organ metabolism. Genes regulated by sex hormones differ in expression in various tissues, which is especially important in the case of liver metabolism, with the liver being a target organ for sex hormones as its cells express estrogen receptors (ERs: ERα, also known as ESR1 or NR3A; ERβ; GPER (G protein-coupled ER, also known as GPR 30)) and the androgen receptor (AR) in both men and women. Differences in sex hormone levels and sex hormone-specific gene expression are mentioned as some of the main variations in causes of the incidence of hepatic diseases; for example, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is more common in men, while women have an increased risk of autoimmune liver disease and show more acute liver failure symptoms in alcoholic liver disease. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the distinction is less pronounced, but increased incidences are suggested among men and postmenopausal women, probably due to an increased tendency towards visceral fat accumulation.
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Asbaghi O, Choghakhori R, Ashtary-Larky D, Abbasnezhad A. Effects of the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular risk factors in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2020; 37:148-56. [PMID: 32359737 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We aimed to investigate the effect of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHOD A systematic search was performed in Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane library and PubMed databases to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the effect of the MedDiet in patients with NAFLD, up to July, 2019. There was no language and time limitation. Meta-analyses were performed using both the random and fixed effects model where appropriate, and I2 index was used to evaluate the heterogeneity. RESULTS Primary search yielded 467 publications. Five RCTs were eligible. Our meta-analysis indicated that the MedDiet resulted in a significant decrease in serum levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol, and a decrease in body weight and HOMA-IR in comparison to a control diet, in NAFLD patients. Whereas, there were no significant improvement in the MedDiet group compared with the control group regarding other variables such as liver enzymes and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis indicated the advantageous effects of the MedDiet on some cardiovascular risks factors, as compared with a control diet. It seems that the MedDiet can be considered as an appropriate strategy to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in NAFLD patients.
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13
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Marchisello S, Di Pino A, Scicali R, Urbano F, Piro S, Purrello F, Rabuazzo AM. Pathophysiological, Molecular and Therapeutic Issues of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: An Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20081948. [PMID: 31010049 PMCID: PMC6514656 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) represents the leading cause of liver disease in developed countries but its diffusion is currently also emerging in Asian countries, in South America and in other developing countries. It is progressively becoming one of the main diseases responsible for hepatic insufficiency, hepatocarcinoma and the need for orthotopic liver transplantation. NAFLD is linked with metabolic syndrome in a close and bidirectional relationship. To date, NAFLD is a diagnosis of exclusion, and liver biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis. NAFLD pathogenesis is complex and multifactorial, mainly involving genetic, metabolic and environmental factors. New concepts are constantly arising in the literature promising new diagnostic and therapeutic tools. One of the challenges will be to better characterize not only NAFLD development but overall NAFLD progression, in order to better identify NAFLD patients at higher risk of metabolic, cardiovascular and neoplastic complications. This review analyses NAFLD epidemiology and the different prevalence of the disease in distinct groups, particularly according to sex, age, body mass index, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, the work expands on the pathophysiology of NAFLD, examining multiple-hit pathogenesis and the role of different factors in hepatic steatosis development and progression: genetics, metabolic factors and insulin resistance, diet, adipose tissue, gut microbiota, iron deposits, bile acids and circadian clock. In conclusion, the current available therapies for NAFLD will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Marchisello
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
| | - Antonino Di Pino
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
| | - Roberto Scicali
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
| | - Francesca Urbano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Piro
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
| | - Francesco Purrello
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
| | - Agata Maria Rabuazzo
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95100, Italy.
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Lonardo A, Ballestri S, Mantovani A, Nascimbeni F, Lugari S, Targher G. Pathogenesis of hypothyroidism-induced NAFLD: Evidence for a distinct disease entity? Dig Liver Dis 2019; 51:462-470. [PMID: 30733187 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver disease worldwide, may be associated with primary hypothyroidism. However, the pathogenesis underlying such an association is complex and not completely understood. Here, we specifically discuss the pathogenic mechanisms potentially involved in hypothyroidism-induced NAFLD. To this end, we summarize the general pathophysiology of thyroid hormones (TH). Next, we analyze the published data from rodent studies by discussing whether hypothyroid rats may develop NAFLD via hyperphagia; whether mitochondria become energetically more efficient; what the overall energy balance is and if diversion of fatty substrates occurs; and the latest advancements in molecular pathogenesis brought about by metabolomics, cell imaging, lipophagy, autophagy and genetically engineered mouse models. Moreover, we discuss the data published regarding humans on the pathogenic role of TH, metabolic syndrome and other risk factors in hypothyroidism-related NAFLD as well as the putative mechanisms underlying the development of NAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma in hypothyroidism. In conclusion, although many research questions still remain unanswered, the pathophysiology of hypothyroidism-induced NAFLD makes this a potentially curable and distinct disease entity. However, further studies are needed to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms, and to ascertain whether treatment with either TH or thyromimetic agents improves NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- Operating Unit Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Modena, Italy.
| | - Stefano Ballestri
- Operating Unit Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Azienda USL Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mantovani
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Fabio Nascimbeni
- Operating Unit Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Modena, Italy
| | - Simonetta Lugari
- Post-graduate school of Internal Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Lonardo A, Lugari S, Ballestri S, Nascimbeni F, Baldelli E, Maurantonio M. A round trip from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to diabetes: molecular targets to the rescue? Acta Diabetol 2019; 56:385-396. [PMID: 30519965 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-018-1266-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests a close relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type two diabetes (T2D). On the grounds of prevalence of disease, both conditions account for a significant financial cost for health care systems and individuals. Aim of this review article is to explore the epidemiological basis and the putative molecular mechanisms underlying the association of NAFLD with T2D. Epidemiological studies have shown that NAFLD is associated to the development of incident T2D and either reversal or improvement of NAFLD will result into decreased risk of developing incident T2D. On the other side of the coin data have shown that T2D will worsen the course of NAFLD doubling the risk of disease progression (i.e. evolution from simple steatosis to advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplant and death). Conversely, NAFLD will contribute to metabolic decompensation of T2D. The pathogenesis of T2D in NAFLD patients may be mediated by several hepatokines impairing metabolic control. Among these, Fetuin-B, which causes glucose intolerance and is increased in patients with T2D and NAFLD with fibrosis is one of the most promising. T2D may affect the progression of NAFLD by acting at different levels of the pathogenic cascade involving gut microbiota and expanded, inflamed, dysfunctional adipose tissue. In conclusion, T2D and NAFLD are mutually, closely and bi-directionally associated. An improved understanding of molecular pathogenesis underlying this bi-directional association may allow us to be able to prevent the development of T2D by halting the progression of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Modena, UO di Medicina Metabolica, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, Via Giardini 1135, 41125, Modena, Italy.
| | - Simonetta Lugari
- Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via del Pozzo, 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Stefano Ballestri
- Azienda USL di Modena, Ospedale Di Pavullo, UO di Medicina, Pavullo (Mo), Italy
| | - Fabio Nascimbeni
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Modena, UO di Medicina Metabolica, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, Via Giardini 1135, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Enrica Baldelli
- Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via del Pozzo, 71, 41124, Modena, Italy
| | - Mauro Maurantonio
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Modena, UO di Medicina Metabolica, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, Via Giardini 1135, 41125, Modena, Italy
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Lonardo A, Nascimbeni F, Maurantonio M, Marrazzo A, Rinaldi L, Adinolfi LE. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Evolving paradigms. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:6571-6592. [PMID: 29085206 PMCID: PMC5643282 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i36.6571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last years new evidence has accumulated on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) challenging the paradigms that had been holding the scene over the previous 30 years. NAFLD has such an epidemic prevalence as to make it impossible to screen general population looking for NAFLD cases. Conversely, focusing on those cohorts of individuals exposed to the highest risk of NAFLD could be a more rational approach. NAFLD, which can be diagnosed with either non-invasive strategies or through liver biopsy, is a pathogenically complex and clinically heterogeneous disease. The existence of metabolic as opposed to genetic-associated disease, notably including ”lean NAFLD” has recently been recognized. Moreover, NAFLD is a systemic condition, featuring metabolic, cardiovascular and (hepatic/extra-hepatic) cancer risk. Among the clinico-laboratory features of NAFLD we discuss hyperuricemia, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, gallstones, psoriasis and selected endocrine derangements. NAFLD is a precursor of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic syndrome and progressive liver disease develops in T2D patients in whom the course of disease is worsened by NAFLD. Finally, lifestyle changes and drug treatment options to be implemented in the individual patient are also critically discussed. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the new concepts on clinical and pathogenic heterogeneity of NAFLD, a systemic disorder with a multifactorial pathogenesis and protean clinical manifestations. It is highly prevalent in certain cohorts of individuals who are thus potentially amenable to selective screening strategies, intensive follow-up schedules for early identification of liver-related and extrahepatic complications and in whom earlier and more aggressive treatment schedules should be carried out whenever possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Nascimbeni
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, 41126 Modena, Italy
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Mauro Maurantonio
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Marrazzo
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Ospedale Civile di Baggiovara, 41126 Modena, Italy
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41126 Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Rinaldi
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Geriatric, and Metabolic Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80100 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Elio Adinolfi
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Geriatric, and Metabolic Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80100 Naples, Italy
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Ballestri S, Nascimbeni F, Baldelli E, Marrazzo A, Romagnoli D, Lonardo A. NAFLD as a Sexual Dimorphic Disease: Role of Gender and Reproductive Status in the Development and Progression of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Inherent Cardiovascular Risk. Adv Ther 2017; 34:1291-326. [PMID: 28526997 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-017-0556-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) spans steatosis through nonalcoholic steatohepatis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with striking systemic features and excess cardiovascular and liver-related mortality. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex and multifactorial. Endocrine derangements are closely linked with dysmetabolic traits. For example, in animal and human studies, female sex is protected from dysmetabolism thanks to young individuals’ ability to partition fatty acids towards ketone body production rather than very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-triacylglycerol, and to sex-specific browning of white adipose tissue. Ovarian senescence facilitates both the development of massive hepatic steatosis and the fibrotic progression of liver disease in an experimental overfed zebrafish model. Consistently, estrogen deficiency, by potentiating hepatic inflammatory changes, hastens the progression of disease in a dietary model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) developing in ovariectomized mice fed a high-fat diet. In humans, NAFLD more often affects men; and premenopausal women are equally protected from developing NAFLD as they are from cardiovascular disease. It would be expected that early menarche, definitely associated with estrogen activation, would produce protection against the risk of NAFLD. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that early menarche may confer an increased risk of NAFLD in adulthood, excess adiposity being the primary culprit of this association. Fertile age may be associated with more severe hepatocyte injury and inflammation, but also with a decreased risk of liver fibrosis compared to men and postmenopausal status. Later in life, ovarian senescence is strongly associated with severe steatosis and fibrosing NASH, which may occur in postmenopausal women. Estrogen deficiency is deemed to be responsible for these findings via the development of postmenopausal metabolic syndrome. Estrogen supplementation may at least theoretically protect from NAFLD development and progression, as suggested by some studies exploring the effect of hormonal replacement therapy on postmenopausal women, but the variable impact of different sex hormones in NAFLD (i.e., the pro-inflammatory effect of progesterone) should be carefully considered.
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Paul J, Venugopal RV, Peter L, Hussain S, Naresh Kumar Shetty K, Shetti MP. Effects of lifestyle modification on liver enzyme and Fibroscan in Indian patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) 2017; 6:49-53. [PMID: 29479443 PMCID: PMC5806404 DOI: 10.1093/gastro/gox020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is remarkably increasing in developing countries like India, in parallel with the increasing incidence of obesity. Lifestyle modification is a recommended treatment for NAFLD. In most of the previous studies, improvement after lifestyle modification was assessed by liver fibrosis through liver biopsy, but we cannot do a serial liver biopsy in every NAFLD patient. Liver fibrosis can also be assessed by fibroscan non-invasively in NAFLD. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of lifestyle modification on liver enzymes and Fibroscan values in a population with NAFLD. Methods Initially, 50 NAFLD patients were included in this prospective follow-up study; however, after 6 months of lifestyle modification, only 39 participants were studied. During both the first and second consultations, Fibroscan was carried out. All participants underwent a careful interview, anthropometry measurements and radiological and biochemical tests during every consultation. Results After 6 months of lifestyle modification, Fibroscan values improved significantly (8.31 ± 0.11kPa vs 7.87 ± 0.12kPa, p=0.009). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values also showed improvement during the second consultation (97.25 ± 2.62 U/L vs 66.69 ± 3.95 U/L, p <0.001). Conclusion Measured by Fibroscan and liver enzymes, it has been found that lifestyle modification is an effective therapy to downgrade hepatic injury in NAFLD patients. Serial Fibroscan can be used to assess the treatment response in NAFLD patients due to its non-invasive nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayanta Paul
- Department of Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Lorance Peter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - Shihaz Hussain
- Department of Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Mohit P Shetti
- Department of Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, India
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AISF position paper on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Updates and future directions. Dig Liver Dis 2017; 49:471-483. [PMID: 28215516 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2017.01.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 01/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes our current understanding of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a multi-factorial systemic disease resulting from a complex interaction between a specific genetic background and multiple environmental/metabolic "hits". The role of gut microbiota, lipotoxicity, inflammation and their molecular pathways is reviewed in-depth. We also discuss the epidemiology and natural history of NAFLD by pinpointing the remarkably high prevalence of NAFLD worldwide and its inherent systemic complications: hepatic (steatohepatitis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis), cardio-metabolic (cardiovascular disease, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and type 2 diabetes) and neoplastic (primary liver cancers and extra-hepatic cancers). Moreover, we critically report on the diagnostic role of non-invasive biomarkers, imaging techniques and liver biopsy, which remains the reference standard for diagnosing the disease, but cannot be proposed to all patients with suspected NAFLD. Finally, the management of NAFLD is also reviewed, by highlighting the lifestyle changes and the pharmacological options, with a focus on the innovative drugs. We conclude that the results of ongoing studies are eagerly expected to lead to introduce into the clinical arena new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, prevention and surveillance strategies as well as to new drugs for a tailored approach to the management of NAFLD in the individual patient.
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Li Y, Wang J, Tang Y, Han X, Liu B, Hu H, Li X, Yang K, Yuan J, Miao X, Yao P, Wei S, Wang Y, Liang Y, Zhang X, Guo H, Pan A, Yang H, Hu FB, Wu T, He M. Bidirectional association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes in Chinese population: Evidence from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174291. [PMID: 28350839 PMCID: PMC5369778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study is to examine the bidirectional association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods The data was derived from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort study, which was established in 2008 and followed until October 2013. NAFLD was classified as none, mild, moderate/severe based on ultrasound examination. The analysis to examine the association between NAFLD and incident T2DM risk included 18,111 participants free of diabetes at baseline and the duration of follow-up was 4.60 ± 0.60 years. Cox proportional regression model was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) for the association. The analysis to investigate the association between T2DM and incident NAFLD risk included 12,435 participants free of NAFLD at baseline. Logistic regression model was used to calculate the odd ratio (OR) of NAFLD. Results Compared with those without NAFLD, individuals with mild or moderate/severe NAFLD had a monotonic elevated risk of developing T2DM (HR: 1.88 [95% CI: 1.63–2.18] and 2.34 [1.85–2.96], respectively) after adjustment for potential confounders. In a parallel analysis, compared to participants with fasting plasma glucose < 6.1 mmol/L, the ORs of developing NAFLD in subjects with impaired fasting glucose and T2DM were 1.35 (95% CI: 1.16–1.57) and 1.40 (95% CI: 1.22–1.62), respectively. Conclusions Our results provide compelling evidence that the NAFLD-T2DM association is bidirectional in Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaru Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuhan Tang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xu Han
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hua Hu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiulou Li
- Dongfeng Central Hospital, Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Kun Yang
- Dongfeng Central Hospital, Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoping Miao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ping Yao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Sheng Wei
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Youjie Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuan Liang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaomin Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huan Guo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - An Pan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Handong Yang
- Dongfeng Central Hospital, Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Frank B. Hu
- Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tangchun Wu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Meian He
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health for Incubating, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- * E-mail:
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Zhang Y, Takemori H, Wang C, Fu J, Xu M, Xiong L, Li N, Wen X. Role of salt inducible kinase 1 in high glucose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells and metformin intervention. Life Sci 2017; 173:107-115. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 01/21/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Ibarra-Reynoso LDR, López-Lemus HL, Garay-Sevilla ME, Malacara JM. Effect of Restriction of Foods with High Fructose Corn Syrup Content on Metabolic Indices and Fatty Liver in Obese Children. Obes Facts 2017; 10:332-340. [PMID: 28787728 PMCID: PMC5644940 DOI: 10.1159/000476069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined the effect of restriction of foods with high fructose content in obese school children. METHODS In a clinical study, we selected 54 obese children 6 to 11 years old with high fructose consumption (>70 g/day) in order indicate dietary fructose restriction (<20 g/day) for 6 weeks. Anthropometry, liver ultrasound as well as glucose, insulin, lipids, leptin, IGFBP1, and RBP4 serum levels were collected. RESULTS The group of children had 80% adherence and reported decreased fructose consumption (110 ± 38.6 to 11.4 ± 12.0 g/day) and also a significant decrease in caloric (2,384 ± 568 to 1,757 ± 387 kcal/day) and carbohydrate consumption (302 ± 80.4 to 203 ± 56.0 g/day). The severity of steatosis improved significantly after fructose restriction (p < 0.000001). However, no changes in BMI, systolic blood pressure, or diastolic blood pressure were found. Only triglyceride levels decreased (1.44 ± 0.43 to 1.31 ± 0.38 mmol/l), High-densitiy lipoprotein cholesterol showed a marginal increase (1.45 ± 0.19 to 1.56 ± 0.44 mmol/l). Insulin resistance and RBP4 did not change. CONCLUSIONS In school children, the restriction of high fructose foods with a decrease of caloric and carbohydrate intake at 6 weeks did not induce weight loss; however, triglyceride levels and hepatic steatosis decreased. Differences with other studies in regard to weight loss may be explained by adaptive changes on metabolic expenditure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena del Rocio Ibarra-Reynoso
- *Lorena del Rocío Ibarra-Reynoso, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Guanajuato, Campus León, 20 de Enero 929, 37320 León, Mexico,
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Lonardo A, Ballestri S, Guaraldi G, Nascimbeni F, Romagnoli D, Zona S, Targher G. Fatty liver is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease - Evidence from three different disease models: NAFLD, HCV and HIV. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:9674-9693. [PMID: 27956792 PMCID: PMC5124973 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i44.9674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatty liver, which frequently coexists with necro-inflammatory and fibrotic changes, may occur in the setting of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic infections due to either hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These three pathologic conditions are associated with an increased prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this multidisciplinary clinical review, we aim to discuss the ever-expanding wealth of clinical and epidemiological evidence supporting a key role of fatty liver in the development of T2D and CVD in patients with NAFLD and in those with HCV or HIV infections. For each of these three common diseases, the epidemiological features, pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical implications of the presence of fatty liver in predicting the risk of incident T2D and CVD are examined in depth. Collectively, the data discussed in this updated review, which follows an innovative comparative approach, further reinforce the conclusion that the presence of fatty/inflamed/fibrotic liver might be a shared important determinant for the development of T2D and CVD in patients with NAFLD, HCV or HIV. This review may also open new avenues in the clinical and research arenas and paves the way for the planning of future, well-designed prospective and intervention studies.
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Ballestri S, Nascimbeni F, Romagnoli D, Lonardo A. The independent predictors of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and its individual histological features.: Insulin resistance, serum uric acid, metabolic syndrome, alanine aminotransferase and serum total cholesterol are a clue to pathogenesis and candidate targets for treatment. Hepatol Res 2016; 46:1074-1087. [PMID: 26785389 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 01/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM The diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is based on the individual histological features: steatosis, lobular inflammation and ballooning. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score (NAS ≥ 5) is used in clinical trials. Fibrosis dictates long-term NAFLD prognosis. Recently, more-than-mild portal inflammation has raised interest as a marker of NAFLD severity. We assessed the independent predictors of: (I) individual histological lesions of NASH; (II) diagnosis of NASH; (III) significant (stage ≥2) and advanced (stage ≥3) fibrosis; and (IV) more-than-mild portal inflammation. METHODS Data from 118 consecutive biopsy-proven NAFLD patients observed at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS At stepwise multivariate logistic regression analyses, independent predictors were as follows. For the individual histological features of NASH: insulin resistance (IR), assessed with Homeostasis Model Assessment-IR (HOMA-IR), serum uric acid (SUA) and serum total cholesterol (TCH) for moderate-to-severe steatosis; waist circumference (waist), HOMA-IR and TCH for lobular inflammation; waist, HOMA-IR, metabolic syndrome (MS), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), SUA and TCH for ballooning. For NASH diagnosis: waist, HOMA-IR, MS, ALT, SUA and TCH (Brunt et al.'s classification); ALT, SUA and TCH for NAS ≥ 5. For significant and advanced fibrosis, respectively: waist, MS and ALT; age, platelets, HOMA-IR, diabetes and TCH. For more-than-mild portal inflammation: serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum iron, NAS ≥ 5 and significant liver fibrosis. CONCLUSION HOMA-IR, SUA, MS, ALT and TCH are independent predictors of NASH and its individual histological lesions, notably including fibrosis. Based on our findings, these factors should be considered major pathogenic drivers of NASH and, by inference, potential targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabio Nascimbeni
- Internal Medicine, NOCSAE Baggiovara, Azienda USL, Modena, Italy
| | - Dante Romagnoli
- Internal Medicine, NOCSAE Baggiovara, Azienda USL, Modena, Italy.,Outpatient Liver Clinic and Internal Medicine, NOCSAE, Baggiovara, Azienda USL, Modena, Italy
| | - Amedeo Lonardo
- Internal Medicine, NOCSAE Baggiovara, Azienda USL, Modena, Italy.,Outpatient Liver Clinic and Internal Medicine, NOCSAE, Baggiovara, Azienda USL, Modena, Italy
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Mikolasevic I, Orlic L, Franjic N, Hauser G, Stimac D, Milic S. Transient elastography (FibroScan ®) with controlled attenuation parameter in the assessment of liver steatosis and fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease - Where do we stand? World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:7236-7251. [PMID: 27621571 PMCID: PMC4997649 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i32.7236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Currently, the routinely used modalities are unable to adequately determine the levels of steatosis and fibrosis (laboratory tests and ultrasonography) or cannot be applied as a screening procedure (liver biopsy). Among the non-invasive tests, transient elastography (FibroScan®, TE) with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) has demonstrated good accuracy in quantifying the levels of liver steatosis and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD, the factors associated with the diagnosis and NAFLD progression. The method is fast, reliable and reproducible, with good intra- and interobserver levels of agreement, thus allowing for population-wide screening and disease follow-up. The initial inability of the procedure to accurately determine fibrosis and steatosis in obese patients has been addressed with the development of the obese-specific XL probe. TE with CAP is a viable alternative to ultrasonography, both as an initial assessment and during follow-up of patients with NAFLD. Its ability to exclude patients with advanced fibrosis may be used to identify low-risk NAFLD patients in whom liver biopsy is not needed, therefore reducing the risk of complications and the financial costs.
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Lonardo A, Sookoian S, Pirola CJ, Targher G. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of cardiovascular disease. Metabolism 2016; 65:1136-50. [PMID: 26477269 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2015.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the leading cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide, causing considerable liver-related mortality and morbidity. During the past decade, it has also become increasingly evident that NAFLD is a multisystem disease that affects many extra-hepatic organ systems, including the heart and the vascular system. In this updated clinical review, we discuss the rapidly expanding body of clinical and epidemiological evidence that supports a strong association of NAFLD with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and other functional and structural myocardial abnormalities. We also discuss some recently published data that correlate NAFLD due to specific genetic polymorphisms with the risk of CVDs. Finally, we briefly examine the assessment tools for estimating the global CVD risk in patients with NAFLD as well as the conventional and the more innovative pharmacological approaches for the treatment of CVD risk in this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- Outpatient Liver Clinic and Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, NOCSAE, Baggiovara, Azienda USL and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Sookoian
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari-IDIM, University of Buenos Aires-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos J Pirola
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari-IDIM, University of Buenos Aires-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy.
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Gökmen FY, Ahbab S, Ataoğlu HE, Türker BÇ, Çetin F, Türker F, Mamaç RY, Yenigün M. FT3/FT4 ratio predicts non-alcoholic fatty liver disease independent of metabolic parameters in patients with euthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2016; 71:221-5. [PMID: 27166773 PMCID: PMC4825197 DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2016(04)08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was performed to evaluate the effects of metabolic parameters and thyroid dysfunction on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS The current study evaluated a total of 115 patients, 75 female and 40 male. Physical examination and anthropometric measurements were applied to all participants. Hypothyroidism was considered at a thyroid stimulating hormone level ≥ 4.1 mIU/L. Patients with euthyroidism and patients with hypothyroidism were compared. Abdominal ultrasonography was used to diagnose non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The participants were further compared with regard to the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Logistic regression modeling was performed to identify the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and independent variables, such as metabolic parameters and insulin resistance. RESULTS Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was identified in 69 patients. The mean waist circumference, body mass index, fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR (p<0.001) and FT3/FT4 ratio (p=0.01) values were significantly higher in the patients with NAFLD compared to those without it. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that FT3/FT4 ratio, waist circumference and insulin resistance were independent risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. CONCLUSION Insulin resistance, enlarged waist circumference, elevated body mass index, higher FT3/FT4 ratio and hypertriglyceridemia are independent risk factors for NADLF, whereas hypothyroidism is not directly related to the condition.
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Ballestri S, Nascimbeni F, Romagnoli D, Baldelli E, Lonardo A. The Role of Nuclear Receptors in the Pathophysiology, Natural Course, and Drug Treatment of NAFLD in Humans. Adv Ther 2016; 33:291-319. [PMID: 26921205 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-016-0306-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with or without fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, namely the entire alcohol-like spectrum of liver disease though observed in the nonalcoholic, dysmetabolic, individual free of competing causes of liver disease. NAFLD, which is a major public health issue, exhibits intrahepatic triglyceride storage giving rise to lipotoxicity. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are transcriptional factors which, activated by ligands, are master regulators of metabolism and also have intricate connections with circadian control accounting for cyclical patterns in the metabolic fate of nutrients. Several transcription factors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, liver X receptors, farnesoid X receptors, and their molecular cascades, finely regulate energetic fluxes and metabolic pathways. Dysregulation of such pathways is heavily implicated in those metabolic derangements characterizing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome and in the histogenesis of progressive NAFLD forms. We review the role of selected NRs in NAFLD pathogenesis. Secondly, we analyze the role of NRs in the natural history of human NAFLD. Next, we discuss the results observed in humans following administration of drug agonists or antagonists of the NRs pathogenically involved in NAFLD. Finally, general principles of treatment and lines of research in human NAFLD are briefly examined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabio Nascimbeni
- NOCSAE, Outpatient Liver Clinic and Operating Unit Internal Medicine, Azienda USL Modena, Modena, Italy
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Dante Romagnoli
- NOCSAE, Outpatient Liver Clinic and Operating Unit Internal Medicine, Azienda USL Modena, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Amedeo Lonardo
- NOCSAE, Outpatient Liver Clinic and Operating Unit Internal Medicine, Azienda USL Modena, Modena, Italy.
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Piscaglia F, Svegliati-Baroni G, Barchetti A, Pecorelli A, Marinelli S, Tiribelli C, Bellentani S. Clinical patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A multicenter prospective study. Hepatology 2016; 63:827-38. [PMID: 26599351 DOI: 10.1002/hep.28368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 397] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and may evolve into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Only scanty clinical information is available on HCC in NAFLD. The aim of this multicenter observational prospective study was to assess the clinical features of patients with NAFLD-related HCC (NAFLD-HCC) and to compare them to those of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC. A total of 756 patients with either NAFLD (145) or HCV-related chronic liver disease (611) were enrolled in secondary care Italian centers. Survival was modeled according to clinical parameters, lead-time bias, and propensity analysis. Compared to HCV, HCC in NAFLD patients had a larger volume, showed more often an infiltrative pattern, and was detected outside specific surveillance. Cirrhosis was present in only about 50% of NAFLD-HCC patients, in contrast to the near totality of HCV-HCC. Regardless of tumor stage, survival was significantly shorter (P = 0.017) in patients with NAFLD-HCC, 25.5 months (95% confidence interval 21.9-29.1), than in those with HCV-HCC, 33.7 months (95% confidence interval 31.9-35.4). To eliminate possible confounders, a propensity score analysis was performed, which showed no more significant difference between the two groups. Additionally, analysis of patients within Milan criteria submitted to curative treatments did not show any difference in survival between NAFLD-HCC and HCV-HCC (respectively, 38.6 versus 41.0 months, P = nonsignificant) CONCLUSIONS NAFLD-HCC is more often detected at a later tumor stage and could arise also in the absence of cirrhosis, but after patient matching, it has a similar survival rate compared to HCV infection; a future challenge will be to identify patients with NAFLD who require more stringent surveillance in order to offer the most timely and effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Piscaglia
- Unità di Medicina, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianluca Svegliati-Baroni
- Department of Gastroenterology and Obesity Center, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Barchetti
- Centro Studi Fegato, Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Science Park-Basovizza Campus, Trieste, Italy
| | - Anna Pecorelli
- Unità di Medicina, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Marinelli
- Unità di Medicina, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Tiribelli
- Centro Studi Fegato, Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Science Park-Basovizza Campus, Trieste, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Bellentani
- Centro Studi Fegato, Fondazione Italiana Fegato-Science Park-Basovizza Campus, Trieste, Italy
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Chaudhari HN, Yun JW. DJ-1 deficiency alleviates steatosis in cultured hepatocytes. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2015; 20:1152-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-015-0689-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Lonardo A, Bellentani S, Argo CK, Ballestri S, Byrne CD, Caldwell SH, Cortez-Pinto H, Grieco A, Machado MV, Miele L, Targher G. Epidemiological modifiers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Focus on high-risk groups. Dig Liver Dis 2015; 47:997-1006. [PMID: 26454786 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 325] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
An improved understanding of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease epidemiology would lead to identification of individuals at high risk of developing chronic liver disease and extra-hepatic complications, thus contributing to more effective case finding of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among selected groups. We aimed to illustrate the epidemiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high-risk groups, which were identified based on existing literature. To this end, PubMed was searched to retrieve original articles published until May 2015 using relevant and pertinent keywords "nonalcoholic fatty liver disease" and "diabetes", "obesity", "hyperlipidaemia", "familial heterozygous hypobetalipoproteinaemia", "hypertension", "metabolic syndrome", "ethnicity", "family history" or "genetic polymorphisms". We found that age, sex and ethnicity are major physiological modifiers of the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, along with belonging to "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease families" and carrying risk alleles for selected genetic polymorphisms. Metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, mixed hyperlipidaemia and hypocholesterolaemia due to familial hypobetalipoproteinaemia are the major metabolic modifiers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk. Compared with these metabolic conditions, however, arterial hypertension appears to carry a relatively more modest risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A better understanding of the epidemiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may result in a more liberal policy of case finding among high-risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amedeo Lonardo
- Internal Medicine and Outpatient Liver Clinic, NOCSAE Baggiovara, Azienda USL di Modena, Modena, Italy.
| | - Stefano Bellentani
- Internal Medicine and Outpatient Liver Clinic, NOCSAE Baggiovara, Azienda USL di Modena, Modena, Italy; Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, NOCSE Baggiovara, Azienda USL di Modena Modena, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Ballestri
- Internal Medicine Pavullo Hospital, Azienda USL di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Christopher D Byrne
- Nutrition and Metabolism, University of Southampton, Southampton National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Helena Cortez-Pinto
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Santa Maria, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Antonio Grieco
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariana V Machado
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Santa Maria, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luca Miele
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Verona and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy
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Algooneh A, Almazeedi S, Al-Sabah S, Ahmed M, Othman F. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease resolution following sleeve gastrectomy. Surg Endosc 2015; 30:1983-7. [PMID: 26194256 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-015-4426-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a disease highly prevalent among the morbidly obese population, is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease today. The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on the resolution of NAFLD. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted of 84 patients diagnosed with NAFLD prior to undergoing LSG. The diagnosis of NAFLD was achieved based on transabdominal ultrasonographic imaging as per the 2012 joint guidelines for the diagnosis of NAFLD (American Gastroenterological Association, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and American College of Gastroenterology). The patients had follow-up anthropometric measurements and were re-evaluated with postoperative ultrasounds at different time frames to assess the resolution of the disease. RESULTS The median age of the patients was 44 (17-62), and 66.7 % were female. Average time since surgery was 3.3 years (range 1-5 years). The mean pre- and postoperative BMIs were 46.6 ± 7.8 and 33.0 ± 7.1, respectively, with a mean percent excess weight loss (%EWL) of 55.7 % ± 23.0. A total of 47 (56 %) patients showed complete resolution of NAFLD postoperatively. Multivariate analysis showed a significant resolution of NAFLD in patients achieving >50 % EWL (OR 10.1; p < 0.001) after controlling for age and sex. CONCLUSIONS Weight loss after LSG effectively resolved NAFLD in more than half of the obese patients in this study and can prove to be a useful tool in tackling the disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ardeshir Algooneh
- Department of Surgery, Amiri Hospital, Kuwait Ministry of Health, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Sulaiman Almazeedi
- Department of Surgery, Amiri Hospital, Kuwait Ministry of Health, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Salman Al-Sabah
- Department of Surgery, Amiri Hospital, Kuwait Ministry of Health, Kuwait, Kuwait.
| | - Maha Ahmed
- Department of Radiology, Amiri Hospital, Kuwait Ministry of Health, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Feras Othman
- Department of Surgery, Amiri Hospital, Kuwait Ministry of Health, Kuwait, Kuwait
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Francque S, Verrijken A, Caron S, Prawitt J, Paumelle R, Derudas B, Lefebvre P, Taskinen MR, Van Hul W, Mertens I, Hubens G, Van Marck E, Michielsen P, Van Gaal L, Staels B. PPARα gene expression correlates with severity and histological treatment response in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. J Hepatol 2015; 63:164-73. [PMID: 25703085 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Revised: 02/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been implicated in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) pathogenesis, mainly based on animal data. Gene expression data in NASH patients are scarce. We studied liver PPARα, β/δ, and γ expression in a large cohort of obese patients assessed for presence of NAFLD at baseline and 1 year follow-up. METHODS Patients presented to the obesity clinic underwent a hepatic work-up. If NAFLD was suspected, liver biopsy was performed. Gene expression was studied by mRNA quantification. Patients were reassessed after 1 year. RESULTS 125 patients were consecutively included in the study, of which 85 patients had paired liver biopsy taken at 1 year of follow-up. Liver PPARα expression negatively correlated with the presence of NASH (p=0.001) and with severity of steatosis (p=0.003), ballooning (p=0.001), NASH activity score (p=0.008) and fibrosis (p=0.003). PPARα expression was positively correlated to adiponectin (R(2)=0.345, p=0.010) and inversely correlated to visceral fat (R(2)=-0.343, p<0.001), HOMA IR (R(2)=-0.411, p<0.001) and CK18 (R(2)=-0.233, p=0.012). Liver PPARβ/δ and PPARγ expression did not correlate with any histological feature nor with glucose metabolism or serum lipids. At 1 year, correlation of PPARα expression with liver histology was confirmed. In longitudinal analysis, an increase in expression of PPARα and its target genes was significantly associated with histological improvement (p=0.008). CONCLUSION Human liver PPARα gene expression negatively correlates with NASH severity, visceral adiposity and insulin resistance and positively with adiponectin. Histological improvement is associated with an increase in expression of PPARα and its target genes. These data might suggest that PPARα is a potential therapeutic target in NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Francque
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - An Verrijken
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sandrine Caron
- Université Lille 2, INSERM U1011, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Janne Prawitt
- Université Lille 2, INSERM U1011, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Réjane Paumelle
- Université Lille 2, INSERM U1011, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Bruno Derudas
- Université Lille 2, INSERM U1011, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Philippe Lefebvre
- Université Lille 2, INSERM U1011, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Marja-Riitta Taskinen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Helsinki University Central Hospital and Biomedicum, Finland
| | - Wim Van Hul
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ilse Mertens
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Guy Hubens
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eric Van Marck
- Department of Pathology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter Michielsen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Luc Van Gaal
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bart Staels
- Université Lille 2, INSERM U1011, European Genomic Institute for Diabetes (EGID), Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
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Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly recognized as an important cardiovascular risk (CVR) factor. This is a narrative clinical review aimed at answering how diagnosis and management of CVR should be conducted in the individual patient with NAFLD. To this end, the authors performed an extensive search of the existing literature on PubMed (1993-2014) using pertinent keywords. To date, CVR among patients with NAFLD might be assessed with the Framingham risk score equation or other risk calculators, to be adapted to the true CVR in the specific population being assessed; however, the use of these CVR calculators needs to be validated by future studies in larger cohorts of NAFLD patients of various ethnic backgrounds in order to substantiate their clinical relevance as a foundation for the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in this group of patients. Early and aggressive drug treatment of CVR should be started in NAFLD patients with a history of cardiovascular events, established diabetes or who are at high (calculated) CVR. Whether such an aggressive pharmacological approach is also justified in patients with NAFLD, who are at intermediate or low CVR, remains debatable. Currently, there are no clinical trials showing that the treatment of NAFLD per se (either associated or unassociated with traditional CVR factors) will result in decreased risk of cardiovascular events. Accordingly, drug treatment should be better individualized, aiming at correcting all the coexisting cardio-metabolic risk factors of the individual patient with NAFLD. To this end, an overview of the lifestyle interventions and the available drugs is offered, emphasis being conveyed to statins and metformin, which promise to cover worrying complications of NAFLD such as the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, Pavullo Hospital, Pavullo 41026, Italy
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Lonardo A, Ballestri S, Marchesini G, Angulo P, Loria P. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a precursor of the metabolic syndrome. Dig Liver Dis 2015; 47:181-90. [PMID: 25739820 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2014.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 473] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 09/19/2014] [Accepted: 09/21/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The conventional paradigm of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease representing the "hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome" is outdated. We identified and summarized longitudinal studies that, supporting the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with either type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome, suggest that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease precedes the development of both conditions. Online Medical databases were searched, relevant articles were identified, their references were further assessed and tabulated data were checked. Although several cross-sectional studies linked nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to either diabetes and other components of the metabolic syndrome, we focused on 28 longitudinal studies which provided evidence for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as a risk factor for the future development of diabetes. Moreover, additional 19 longitudinal reported that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease precedes and is a risk factor for the future development of the metabolic syndrome. Finally, molecular and genetic studies are discussed supporting the view that aetiology of steatosis and lipid intra-hepatocytic compartmentation are a major determinant of whether fatty liver is/is not associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Data support the novel paradigm of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as a strong determinant for the development of the metabolic syndrome, which has potentially relevant clinical implications for diagnosing, preventing and treating metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- AUSL Modena and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, NOCSAE - Baggiovara, Modena, Italy.
| | - Stefano Ballestri
- AUSL Modena, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Pavullo, Pavullo nel Frignano, Italy
| | - Giulio Marchesini
- "Alma Mater Studiorum" University, Unit of Metabolic Diseases and Clinical Dietetics, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paul Angulo
- University of Kentucky, Division of Digestive Diseases & Nutrition, Section of Hepatology, Medical Center, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Paola Loria
- AUSL Modena and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, NOCSAE - Baggiovara, Modena, Italy
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Safadi R, Konikoff FM, Mahamid M, Zelber-Sagi S, Halpern M, Gilat T, Oren R, Konikoff FM, Hershkovitz A, Gilat T, Halpern M, Rosenthal-Galili Z, Zuckerman E, Abu-Mouch S, Fich A, Sikuler E, Issachar A, Assy N, Baruch Y, Lurie Y, Graif M, Stern N, Yaron M, Blank A, Ben Bashat D, Zelber-Sagi S, Mahamid M, Mizrahi M, Oren R. The fatty acid-bile acid conjugate Aramchol reduces liver fat content in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 12:2085-91.e1. [PMID: 24815326 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2014.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Revised: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We investigated the effects of the fatty acid-bile acid conjugate 3β-arachidyl-amido, 7α-12α-dihydroxy, 5β-cholan-24-oic acid (Aramchol; Trima Israel Pharmaceutical Products Ltd, Maabarot, Israel) in a phase 2 trial of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 60 patients with biopsy-confirmed NAFLD (6 with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) at 10 centers in Israel. Patients were given Aramchol (100 or 300 mg) or placebo once daily for 3 months (n = 20/group). The main end point was the difference between groups in the change in liver fat content according to magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The secondary end points focused on the differences between groups in alterations of liver enzyme levels, levels of adiponectin, homeostasis model assessment scores, and endothelial function. RESULTS No serious or drug-related adverse events were observed in the 58 patients who completed the study. Over 3 months, liver fat content decreased by 12.57% ± 22.14% in patients given 300 mg/day Aramchol, but increased by 6.39% ± 36.27% in the placebo group (P = .02 for the difference between groups, adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index). Liver fat content decreased in the 100-mg Aramchol group, by 2.89% ± 28.22%, but this change was nonsignificant (P = .35), indicating a dose-response relationship (P for trend = .01). Groups given Aramchol had nonsignificant improvements over time in endothelial function and levels of alanine aminotransferase and adiponectin, but homeostasis model assessment scores did not change. The appropriateness of a single daily dose was confirmed by pharmacokinetic analysis. CONCLUSIONS Three months' administration of the fatty acid-bile acid conjugate Aramchol is safe, tolerable, and significantly reduces liver fat content in patients with NAFLD. The reduction in liver fat content occurred in a dose-dependent manner and was associated with a trend of metabolic improvements, indicating that Aramchol might be used for the treatment of fatty liver disease. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01094158.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rifaat Safadi
- Liver and Gastroenterology Unit, Division of Medicine, Hadassah University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Holy Family Hospital, Nazareth, Israel.
| | - Fred M Konikoff
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Tel Aviv, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | | | - Shira Zelber-Sagi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel; School of Public Health, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Maya Halpern
- Galmed Medical Research, Limited, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Tuvia Gilat
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Galmed Medical Research, Limited, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ran Oren
- Liver and Gastroenterology Unit, Division of Medicine, Hadassah University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Rosso N, Chavez-Tapia NC, Tiribelli C, Bellentani S. Translational approaches: From fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:9038-9049. [PMID: 25083077 PMCID: PMC4112858 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.9038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one, if not the most common, cause of chronic liver disease affecting both adults and children. The increasing number of cases at an early age is the most worrying aspect of this pathology, since it provides more time for its evolution. The spectrum of this disease ranges from liver steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis and in some cases, hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD may not always be considered a benign disease and hepatologists must be cautious in the presence of fatty liver. This should prompt the use of the available experimental models to understand better the pathogenesis and to develop a rational treatment of a disease that is dangerously increasing. In spite of the growing efforts, the pathogenesis of NAFLD is still poorly understood. In the present article we review the most relevant hypotheses and evidence that account for the progression of NAFLD to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. The available in vitro and in vivo experimental models of NASH are discussed and revised in terms of their validity in translational studies. These studies must be aimed at the discovery of the still unknown triggers or mediators that induce the progression of hepatic inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis.
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Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects about 30% of the general population in the United States and includes a spectrum of disease that includes simple steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis and cirrhosis. Significant insight has been gained into our understanding of the pathogenesis of NALFD; however the key metabolic aberrations underlying lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and the progression of NAFLD remain to be elucidated. Accumulating and emerging evidence indicate that hepatic mitochondria play a critical role in the development and pathogenesis of steatosis and NAFLD. Here, we review studies that document a link between the pathogenesis of NAFLD and hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction with particular focus on new insights into the role of impaired fatty acid oxidation, the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), and sirtuins in development and progression of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatiha Nassir
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
| | - Jamal A Ibdah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
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Ballestri S, Lonardo A, Bonapace S, Byrne CD, Loria P, Targher G. Risk of cardiovascular, cardiac and arrhythmic complications in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:1724-45. [PMID: 24587651 PMCID: PMC3930972 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i7.1724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a public health problem of epidemic proportions worldwide. Accumulating clinical and epidemiological evidence indicates that NAFLD is not only associated with liver-related morbidity and mortality but also with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), abnormalities of cardiac function and structure (e.g., left ventricular dysfunction and hypertrophy, and heart failure), valvular heart disease (e.g., aortic valve sclerosis) and arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation). Experimental evidence suggests that NAFLD itself, especially in its more severe forms, exacerbates systemic/hepatic insulin resistance, causes atherogenic dyslipidemia, and releases a variety of pro-inflammatory, pro-coagulant and pro-fibrogenic mediators that may play important roles in the pathophysiology of cardiac and arrhythmic complications. Collectively, these findings suggest that patients with NAFLD may benefit from more intensive surveillance and early treatment interventions to decrease the risk for CHD and other cardiac/arrhythmic complications. The purpose of this clinical review is to summarize the rapidly expanding body of evidence that supports a strong association between NAFLD and cardiovascular, cardiac and arrhythmic complications, to briefly examine the putative biological mechanisms underlying this association, and to discuss some of the current treatment options that may influence both NAFLD and its related cardiac and arrhythmic complications.
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Loria P, Marchesini G, Nascimbeni F, Ballestri S, Maurantonio M, Carubbi F, Ratziu V, Lonardo A. Cardiovascular risk, lipidemic phenotype and steatosis. A comparative analysis of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic liver disease due to varying etiology. Atherosclerosis 2014; 232:99-109. [PMID: 24401223 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Montesi L, Mazzotti A, Moscatiello S, Forlani G, Marchesini G. Insulin resistance: mechanism and implications for carcinogenesis and hepatocellular carcinoma in NASH. Hepatol Int 2013; 7:814-22. [DOI: 10.1007/s12072-013-9451-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Abstract
Assessment of liver fibrosis and steatosis is crucial in chronic liver diseases in order to determine the prognosis, the need of treatment, as well as monitor disease progression and response to treatment. Liver biopsy is limited by its invasiveness and patient acceptability. Transient elastography (TE, Fibroscan®) is a non-invasive tool with satisfactory accuracy and reproducibility to estimate liver fibrosis and steatosis. TE has been well validated in major liver diseases including chronic hepatitis B and C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. As alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is one of the major confounding factors of liver stiffness in chronic hepatitis B, an ALT-based algorithm has been developed and higher liver stiffness measurements (LSM) cutoff values for different stages of liver fibrosis should be used in patients with elevated ALT levels up to 5 times of the upper limit of normal. Otherwise falsely-high LSM results up to cirrhotic range may occur during ALT flare. TE is also useful in predicting patient prognosis such as development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), portal hypertension, post-operative complications in HCC patients, and also survival. Unfortunately, failed acquisition of TE is common in obese patients. Furthermore, obese patients may have higher LSM results even in the same stage of liver fibrosis. The new XL probe, a larger probe with lower ultrasound frequency and deeper penetration, increases the success rate of TE in obese patients. The median LSM value with XL probe was found to be lower than that by the conventional M probe, hence cutoff values approximately 1.2 to 1.3 kPa lower than those of M probe should be adopted. Recent studies revealed a novel ultrasonic controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of the machine is a useful parameter to detect even low-grade steatosis noninvasively. CAP may also be used to quantify liver steatosis by applying different cutoff values. As both LSM and CAP results are instantly available at same measurement, this makes TE a very convenient tool to assess any patients who are suspected or confirmed to suffer from chronic liver diseases.
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Ballestri S, Meschiari E, Baldelli E, Musumeci FE, Romagnoli D, Trenti T, Zennaro RG, Lonardo A, Loria P. Relationship of serum fetuin-A levels with coronary atherosclerotic burden and NAFLD in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 2013; 11:289-95. [PMID: 23600632 DOI: 10.1089/met.2012.0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients are prone to coronary artery disease (CAD). Fetuin-A inhibits arterial calcification, induces insulin resistance, and is increased in NAFLD. Data on fetuin-A levels in CAD are conflicting. We tried to ascertain whether NAFLD and CAD are associated and if fetuin-A predicts CAD and/or NAFLD. METHODS CAD was diagnosed by ≥50% stenosis in coronary arteries and NAFLD by ultrasound imaging in the absence of any other liver disease. Seventy patients who underwent elective coronarography at our hospital were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Twenty-four patients had no CAD (9 with and 15 without NAFLD) and 46 had CAD (20 with and 26 without NAFLD). Standard anthropometric indices and metabolic parameters were recorded. Fetuin-A was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Visceral fat thickness and visceral/subcutaneous fat ratio were assessed by ultrasonography. RESULTS NAFLD was not associated with CAD, probably owing to the limited series. Fetuin-A was significantly lower, whereas visceral fat thickness and visceral/subcutaneous fat ratio were higher in patients with CAD versus those without CAD. Younger age and higher body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triglycerides, fasting glucose, homeostasis model assessment, spleen area, subcutaneous fat thickness, and prevalence of metabolic derangements were associated with NAFLD. At multivariate analysis, elevated fetuin-A levels were an independent negative predictor of CAD [odds ratio (OR)=0.995, P=0.049]. Fetuin-A was an independent predictor of NAFLD (OR=1.005, P=0.036) in the model including BMI. CONCLUSIONS This prospective cross-sectional study demonstrates high fetuin-A levels to be independently associated with NAFLD and a lower risk of coronarographically diagnosed CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Ballestri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Geriatrics, Operating Unit of Internal Medicine and Metabolism, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy
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Abstract
Fatty liver disease is epidemiologically associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), leading to a speculation of a reciprocal cause-effect relationship and a vicious cycle of pathology. Here, we summarize recent literature reporting dissociation of hepatosteatosis from insulin resistance in genetic mouse models and clinical studies. We highlight rhythmic flows of metabolic intermediates between hepatic lipid synthesis and glucose production in normal circadian physiology. Blocking triglyceride (TG) secretion, subcellular lipid sequestration, lipolysis deficiency, enhanced lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis defects, or inhibition of fatty acid oxidation all result in hepatosteatosis without causing hyperglycemia or insulin resistance, suggesting that the cause-effect relationship between hepatosteatosis and diabetes does not exist in all situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Sun
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- The Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Mitchell A. Lazar
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- The Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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Abstract
The complex and bi-directional relationship linking the liver and diabetes has recently gained intense new interest. This critical review of the published work aims to highlight the most recent basic and clinical data underlying the development of type 2 diabetes, in those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Moreover, the potentially detrimental effects of type 2 diabetes in liver injury are also discussed in each of the two sections of the present paper. Fatty liver and diabetes share insulin resistance as their chief pathogenic determinant. The roles of the hypothalamus, the intestinal microbiome, white adipose tissue and inflammation are discussed in detail. Molecular insights into hepatocyte insulin resistance as the initiator of systemic insulin resistance are also presented with full coverage of the danger of fatty acids. Lipotoxicity, apoptosis, lipoautophagy, endoplasmic reticular stress response and recent developments in genetics are discussed. Closing the circle, special emphasis is given to biochemical pathways and clinical evidence supporting the role of type 2 diabetes as a risk factor for the development of progressive liver disease, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. In conclusion, data support non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes which is, in turn, a major contributor to progressive liver disease. This pathway leading from fatty liver to type 2 diabetes and back from the latter to the progressive liver disease is a vicious circle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Loria
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Frank Anania
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Nobili V, Bedogni G, Berni Canani R, Brambilla P, Cianfarani S, Pietrobelli A, Agostoni C. The potential role of fatty liver in paediatric metabolic syndrome: a distinct phenotype with high metabolic risk? Pediatr Obes 2012; 7:e75-80. [PMID: 23001964 DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2012.00089.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Revised: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of obesity and its metabolic consequences has dramatically increased in the last two decades urging physicians to find a reliable definition for early detection, treatment and possibly prevention of metabolic syndrome (MS). MS could be diagnosed in adult patients in the presence of a large waist circumference and ≥2 of the following features: high serum triglycerides, low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high blood pressure and high fasting glucose. The definition of MS in children is more problematic, and the potential role of its single components on metabolic risk remains largely undefined. Recent evidence strongly suggests not only a relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and MS in obese children, adolescents and adults, but also the key role exerted by liver fat deposition in the pathogenesis of MS. CONCLUSION We propose that NAFLD should be routinely checked in obese subjects because early lifestyle changes may be effective in reducing the overall risk of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Nobili
- Metabolic and Autoimmune Liver Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
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Yilmaz Y. Review article: is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease a spectrum, or are steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis distinct conditions? Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2012; 36:815-23. [PMID: 22966992 DOI: 10.1111/apt.12046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2012] [Revised: 08/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently conceptualised as a clinical spectrum that results from a ‘multiple-hit’ process which begins with simple steatosis and subsequently renders the hepatocytes susceptible to a variety of insults. Ultimately, more serious liver injuries like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis may develop. Although the metabolic syndrome is considered the crucial player in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, recent studies have highlighted novel pathophysiological mechanisms in this clinical entity. AIM To discuss the pathophysiology of NAFLD based on the hypothesis that simple steatosis and NASH are discrete entities rather than two points on a spectrum. METHODS A literature search was conducted in August 2012 on PubMed, Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline and Scopus using the following search terms: steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, pathophysiology, fatty liver, natural history and genetics. RESULTS Simple steatosis and NASH appear as two distinct pathophysiological entities and progression from pure fatty liver to NASH appears to be so rare as to warrant publication. The possible pathogenetic pathways specifically related to NASH are highlighted. CONCLUSIONS Although simple steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are currently viewed as two histological subtypes of the unique spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the two conditions are likely distinct not only from a histological but also from a pathophysiological standpoint. Efforts to distinguish simple steatosis from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis using non-invasive modalities should be informed by the current pathophysiology of these two clinical entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Yilmaz
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Marmara University, Maltepe, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Sun Z, Miller RA, Patel RT, Chen J, Dhir R, Wang H, Zhang D, Graham MJ, Unterman TG, Shulman GI, Sztalryd C, Bennett MJ, Ahima RS, Birnbaum MJ, Lazar MA. Hepatic Hdac3 promotes gluconeogenesis by repressing lipid synthesis and sequestration. Nat Med 2012; 18:934-42. [PMID: 22561686 PMCID: PMC3411870 DOI: 10.1038/nm.2744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Fatty liver disease is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and hepatic lipid accumulation may contribute to insulin resistance. Histone deacetylase 3 (Hdac3) controls the circadian rhythm of hepatic lipogenesis. Here we show that, despite severe hepatosteatosis, mice with liver-specific depletion of Hdac3 have higher insulin sensitivity without any changes in insulin signaling or body weight compared to wild-type mice. Hdac3 depletion reroutes metabolic precursors towards lipid synthesis and storage within lipid droplets and away from hepatic glucose production. Perilipin 2, which coats lipid droplets, is markedly induced upon Hdac3 depletion and contributes to the development of both steatosis and improved tolerance to glucose. These findings suggest that the sequestration of hepatic lipids in perilipin 2–coated droplets ameliorates insulin resistance and establish Hdac3 as a pivotal epigenomic modifier that integrates signals from the circadian clock in the regulation of hepatic intermediary metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Sun
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Lonardo
- Operating Unit Metabolic Internal Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Alisi A, Nobili V. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in children now: lifestyle changes and pharmacologic treatments. Nutrition 2012; 28:722-6. [PMID: 22464551 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2011.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2011] [Revised: 11/13/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of most common chronic liver diseases in children. A greater understanding about the risk factors and molecular pathogenesis of NAFLD suggests that lifestyle interventions aiming to decrease obesity/body mass index and metabolic derangement are the first line of treatments adopted in children affected by this disease. However, because these therapeutic options are often at the beginning misjudged by the patients and their parents, the use of pharmacologic agents may help to protect the liver and other organs from further irreversible tissue damage. Pharmacologic therapies against one or more specific factors and/or molecules involved in the development of NAFLD (i.e., insulin resistance, free fatty acid lipid toxicity, and oxidative stress) also might slow the progression of this increasingly prevalent pediatric disorder. On this basis, insulin sensitizers, antioxidants, cytoprotective agents, and dietary supplementations have been evaluated in pediatric clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the efficacy of the dietary approaches, possibly coupled with regular exercise, on decreasing the metabolic and histologic damage in pediatric NAFLD. We also emphasize several advantages of the pharmacologic treatments adopted or adoptable in combination with lifestyle interventions in children with NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Alisi
- Unit of Liver Research, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Rome, Italy
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