Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Clin Liver Dis. 2012 May;16(2):397-419. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2012.03.005.

Abstract

As the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common cause of asymptomatic liver enzyme elevations in Western nations. Although it is easy to diagnose NAFLD, a liver biopsy is currently required to diagnose nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Patients with NASH are those at greatest risk of progression to cirrhosis and, thus, treatment efforts are targeted to these individuals. Although currently there are no FDA-approved treatments for NASH, a multidisciplinary approach that addresses comorbid conditions and promotes modest weight loss comprises the backbone of therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cholagogues and Choleretics / therapeutic use
  • Diabetes Complications / epidemiology
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use
  • Fatty Liver / blood
  • Fatty Liver / diagnosis*
  • Fatty Liver / epidemiology
  • Fatty Liver / pathology
  • Fatty Liver / therapy*
  • Female
  • Free Radical Scavengers / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Life Style
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Pentoxifylline / therapeutic use
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biomarkers
  • Cholagogues and Choleretics
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Ursodeoxycholic Acid
  • Pentoxifylline