Investigating the Physiological Impact of Manipura Chakra Activation on Prevention of Hepatic Steatosis: A Narrative Review

Epidemiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in China

These recommendations are based on the following: (1) a formal review and analysis of the recently published world literature on the topic [Medline search up to June 2011]; (2) the American College of Physicians’ Manual for Assessing Health Practices and Designing Practice Guidelines; (3) guideline policies of the three societies approving this document; and (4) the experience of the authors and independent reviewers with regards to NAFLD. Intended for use by physicians and allied health professionals, these recommendations suggest preferred approaches to the diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive aspects of care. They are intended to be flexible and adjustable for individual patients. Specific recommendations are evidence-based wherever possible, and when such evidence is not available or inconsistent, recommendations are made based on the consensus opinion of the authors. To best characterize the evidence cited in support of the recommendations, the AASLD Practice Guidelines Committee has adopted the classification used by the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) workgroup with minor modifications (Table 1). The strength of recommendations in the GRADE system is classified as strong (1) or weak (2). The quality of evidence supporting strong or weak recommendations is designated by one of three levels: high (A), moderate (B) or low-quality (C). This is a practice guideline for clinicians rather than a review article and interested readers can refer to several comprehensive reviews published recently.

NAFLD vs. MAFLD – It is not the name but the disease that decides the outcome in fatty liver

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children: Where Are We?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an increasingly prevalent paediatric disorder, is diagnosed and managed not only by both pediatric gastroenterologists/hepatologists but also frequently by the general pediatrician. This article updates recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approach, which may be applied to everyday practice. Diagnosis of NAFLD takes into account the risk factor profile and is a diagnosis of exclusion. Techniques such as transient elastography and specific biomarkers aimed at improving diagnosis and monitoring of NAFLD need further validation in the pediatric population. Defining the risk to develop cirrhosis seems to be of primary importance already in childhood and a combination of genetic, clinical, and environmental factors can help in monitoring and making decisions on therapy. Weight reduction therapy should be the aim of treatment approach, but the compliance is poor and pharmacological treatment would be helpful; docosahexaenoic acid, some probiotics, and vitamin E are to be considered, but evidence is not sufficient to recommend widespread use.

Changing Nomenclature from Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease – Not Only Premature But Also Confusing

Evaluation and management of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Yet more evidence that MAFLD is more than a name change

Biomarkers in Fatty Liver Disease—Here is the Skinny

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Not time for an obituary just yet!

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the major reason for abnormal liver function in the Western world, is associated with obesity and diabetes and is characterized by insulin resistance (IR). IR is regulated by mediators released from cells of the immune system or adipocytes and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). The importance of TNFα in human and animal fatty liver diseases, both caused by genetic manipulation and overnutrition, has been shown convincingly. Furthermore, neutralization of TNFα activity improves IR and fatty liver disease in animals. Adiponectin is a potent TNFα-neutralizing and anti-inflammatory adipokine and in vitro and experimental animal studies have proven the importance of this mediator in counteracting inflammation and IR. Anti-inflammatory effects of adiponectin are exerted both by suppressing TNFα synthesis and by induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-10 or interleukin-1–receptor antagonist. Therefore, the balance between various mediators, either derived from the immune system or adipose tissue, appears to play an important role in hepatic and systemic insulin action and in the development of fatty liver disease.

Common Genetic Variants and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in the United States and, indeed, worldwide. It has become a global public health issue. In the United States, the prevalence in the general population is estimated at approximately 20%, while that in the morbidly obese population at approximately 75-92% and in the pediatric population at approximately 13-14%. The progressive form of NAFLD, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, is estimated at approximately 3-5%, with approximately 3-5% of these having progressed to cirrhosis. Thus, the numbers of individuals at risk for end-stage liver disease and development of primary liver cancer is large. NAFLD is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, leads to increased all-cause mortality, and to increased liver-related mortality. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the NAFLD disease spectrum, including etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and genetic and environmental risk factors and suggests future directions for research in this important area.

Background. Drug treatment of non-alcoholic fatty and alcoholic liver disease remains an urgent, unsolved problem. Due to the commonality of many pathogenetic mechanisms and predictors of progression, a universal approach to the search for a therapeutic agent can be considered.
 Aims pooled analysis of the results of two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of a fixed combination of glycyrrhizic acid and essential phospholipids in two dosage forms to study its efficacy and safety in non-alcoholic fatty and alcoholic liver disease, in the presence and absence of predictors of disease progression.
 Methods. The pooled analysis included 180 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Gepard study) and 120 patients with alcoholic liver disease (Jaguar study). Patients of the main group received a fixed combination of 5.0 g intravenous jet 3 times a week for the first 2 weeks; then 2 capsules 3 times a day for the next 10 weeks. Patients in the control group received placebo according to the same scheme. The total duration of treatment was 12 weeks in the Gepard study (1 course of stepwise therapy) and 24 weeks in the Jaguar study (2 courses of stepwise therapy). A comparative analysis of the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination and a placebo was carried out, in the presence and absence of predictors of progression, separately for each nosology and in a mixed sample.
 Results. In patients with non-alcoholic fatty and alcoholic liver disease who received the fixed combination, in contrast to the placebo group, there was a statistically more significant decrease in the level of biochemical markers of inflammation alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, adiponectin, and the value of the AktiTest index. There was no negative trend in the NAFLD fibrosis score; more significant positive dynamics of FibroTest is shown. Predictors of disease progression hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, age did not have a negative impact on the results in the study group. The efficacy of the study drug was noted in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and normal body weight; data were obtained indicating its possible effectiveness with a high activity of the inflammatory process associated with alcoholic liver damage. The frequency of adverse events in the study and control groups was comparable.
 Conclusions. Based on a generalized analysis of the results of two studies, promising directions for the study and use of a fixed combination of glycyrrhizic acid and essential phospholipids were identified: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease without obesity, alcoholic steatohepatitis of high activity (as an adjuvant); steatohepatitis of non-alcoholic and alcoholic etiology, combined with hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.

A call to action for fatty liver disease.