Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is an umbrella term to describe the entire spectrum of this common liver disease. In patients with NAFLD, especially those with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH), most often ...Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is an umbrella term to describe the entire spectrum of this common liver disease. In patients with NAFLD, especially those with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH), most often have one or more components of the metabolic syndrome, but this is not universal. Although most patients with NAFLD share many clinical features, only a subset of patients develops significant liver inflammation and progressive fibrosis. On the other hand, not all patients with NASH exhibit insulin resistance. NASH can be seen in patients who are lean and have no identifiable risk factors. Many clinical studies have tried numerous drugs and alternative medicine, however, investigators have failed to identify a safe and effective therapy for patients with NASH. As summarized, the heterogeneity of pathogenic pathways in individual patients with NASH may warrant the development of an individualized treatment according to the underlying pathogenic pathway. The differentiation of pathogenetic targets may require the development of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and the identification of genetic susceptibilities. At present, evidence-based medicine provides only a few options including life-style modifications targeting weight loss, pioglitazone and vitamin E in non-diabetic patients with biopsy-proven NASH.展开更多
AIM To determine the clinical effectiveness of nutritional counseling on reduction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) severity, weight loss, metabolic and anthropometric indexes and liver enzymes.METHODS Fort...AIM To determine the clinical effectiveness of nutritional counseling on reduction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) severity, weight loss, metabolic and anthropometric indexes and liver enzymes.METHODS Forty-six adults with NAFLD received a 6-mo clinical and a dietary intervention(based on Mediterranean diet) carried out respectively by a gastroenterologist and a nutritionist with counseling license. The counseling process consisted of monthly meeting(about 45 min each). The effect of the treatment was evaluated monitoring liver enzymes, metabolic parameters, cardiovascular risk indexes, NAFLD severity [assessed by ultrasound(US)] and related indexes. All parameters were assessed at baseline. Biochemistry was also assessed at mid-and end-interventions and US was repeated at end-intervention.RESULTS The percentage of patients with steatosis grade equal or higher than 2 was reduced from 93% to 48% and steatosis regressed in 9 patients(20%). At the end of the treatment the end-point concerning the weight(i.e., a 7% weight reduction or achievement/maintenance of normal weight) was accomplished by 25 out of 46 patients(i.e., 54.3%). As far as the liver enzymes is concerned, all three liver enzymes significantly decrease during the treatment the normalization was particularly evident for the ALT enzyme(altered values reduced from 67% down to 11%). Several parameters, i.e., BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, AST, ALT, GGT, HDL, serum glucose, Tot-Chol/HDL, LDL/HDL, TG/HDL, AIP, HOMA, FLI, Kotronen index, VAI, NAFLD liver fat score and LAP, showed a significant improvement(P < 0.01) between baseline and end-treatment.CONCLUSION Outcomes of this study further strengthen the hypothesis that Med Diet and more active lifestyle can be considered a safe therapeutic approach for reducing risk and severity of NAFLD and related disease states. The proposed approach may be proposed as a valid and recommended approach for improving the clinical profile of NAFLD patients.展开更多
文摘Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is an umbrella term to describe the entire spectrum of this common liver disease. In patients with NAFLD, especially those with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH), most often have one or more components of the metabolic syndrome, but this is not universal. Although most patients with NAFLD share many clinical features, only a subset of patients develops significant liver inflammation and progressive fibrosis. On the other hand, not all patients with NASH exhibit insulin resistance. NASH can be seen in patients who are lean and have no identifiable risk factors. Many clinical studies have tried numerous drugs and alternative medicine, however, investigators have failed to identify a safe and effective therapy for patients with NASH. As summarized, the heterogeneity of pathogenic pathways in individual patients with NASH may warrant the development of an individualized treatment according to the underlying pathogenic pathway. The differentiation of pathogenetic targets may require the development of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and the identification of genetic susceptibilities. At present, evidence-based medicine provides only a few options including life-style modifications targeting weight loss, pioglitazone and vitamin E in non-diabetic patients with biopsy-proven NASH.
基金Supported by Fondo per gli Investimenti della Ricerca di Base,No.RBAP10MY35_002Ente Cassa di Risparmio di FirenzeFior Gen ONLUS to Galli A
文摘AIM To determine the clinical effectiveness of nutritional counseling on reduction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) severity, weight loss, metabolic and anthropometric indexes and liver enzymes.METHODS Forty-six adults with NAFLD received a 6-mo clinical and a dietary intervention(based on Mediterranean diet) carried out respectively by a gastroenterologist and a nutritionist with counseling license. The counseling process consisted of monthly meeting(about 45 min each). The effect of the treatment was evaluated monitoring liver enzymes, metabolic parameters, cardiovascular risk indexes, NAFLD severity [assessed by ultrasound(US)] and related indexes. All parameters were assessed at baseline. Biochemistry was also assessed at mid-and end-interventions and US was repeated at end-intervention.RESULTS The percentage of patients with steatosis grade equal or higher than 2 was reduced from 93% to 48% and steatosis regressed in 9 patients(20%). At the end of the treatment the end-point concerning the weight(i.e., a 7% weight reduction or achievement/maintenance of normal weight) was accomplished by 25 out of 46 patients(i.e., 54.3%). As far as the liver enzymes is concerned, all three liver enzymes significantly decrease during the treatment the normalization was particularly evident for the ALT enzyme(altered values reduced from 67% down to 11%). Several parameters, i.e., BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, AST, ALT, GGT, HDL, serum glucose, Tot-Chol/HDL, LDL/HDL, TG/HDL, AIP, HOMA, FLI, Kotronen index, VAI, NAFLD liver fat score and LAP, showed a significant improvement(P < 0.01) between baseline and end-treatment.CONCLUSION Outcomes of this study further strengthen the hypothesis that Med Diet and more active lifestyle can be considered a safe therapeutic approach for reducing risk and severity of NAFLD and related disease states. The proposed approach may be proposed as a valid and recommended approach for improving the clinical profile of NAFLD patients.