title: Progress in the search for circulating biomarkers of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The definitive standard for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is clinico-pathological correlation, but frequently the only laboratory abnormality is an elevation of serum aminotransferases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This has resulted in the search for more specific laboratory biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The literature was searched for novel plasma/serum markers of NAFLD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies reviewed here included histologically-confirmed patients presenting some stage of NAFLD and monitored one or more novel serum/plasma biomarkers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most promising application of some of these novel biomarkers for the detection and quantification of NAFLD and particularly NASH appears to be in the combination of several into diagnostic panels.
authors.affiliation: Sciadvisor Toxicology Consulting , Hadlyme, CT , USA.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Amacher
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; non-alcoholic steatosis; novel circulating biomarkers; steatohepatitis