[Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis--a new epidemic].
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the metabolic syndrome of the liver, characterised by the consequences of obesity (insulin resistance, production of free radicals, chronic inflammation) has become a new epidemic in the United States as in Europe. Diagnosis is suspected in patients with obesity, denying alcohol abuse, having typical co-morbitities (Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Hyperlipidemia). Liver histology confirms the diagnosis of NASH. Fatty liver without inflammation bears a good prognosis. Liver fibrosis, however, in NASH patients signalizes progression to liver cirrhosis and even HCC. Treatment modalities are limited. Reduction of body weight, physical activity, treatment of co-morbitities, specially Hypertension and Diabetes are of paramount importance. At the moment it remains unclear whether glitazone treatment could be introduced in the therapeutic armentarium.
Maier
K P
KP
Leberzentrum Klinikum Esslingen, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Universität Tübingen, Hirschlandstrasse 97 D-73730 Esslingen. kp.maier@kliniken-es.de
D000818:Animals; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha